Energy vs. Prothane Bushings, any difference?
12-20-2002, 09:04 AM
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Energy vs. Prothane Bushings, any difference? I was looking around and saw our vendors carry two basic manufacturers of polyeurethane bushings, Energy Suspension and Prothane.
I am looking for some front sway bar endlinks, and some rear sway bar endlinks and bushings. Is there any difference between the two manufacturers for these parts?
Anything better out there? Should I stay away from one or the other?
I am looking for some front sway bar endlinks, and some rear sway bar endlinks and bushings. Is there any difference between the two manufacturers for these parts?
Anything better out there? Should I stay away from one or the other?
12-21-2002, 12:26 AM
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Re: Energy vs. Prothane Bushings, any difference? I asked this same question on another board last year and the general consensus was that there is no real difference between the two. Get whichever one is on sale. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
12-24-2002, 12:52 AM
#3
Re: Energy vs. Prothane Bushings, any difference? I'd say they are the same. I did knotice on the front Energy Susp. Sway bar Bushings that some of them had Zerk fittings to add a little lube from time to time. Nice feature since Poly can sqeak sometimes.
08-28-2005, 04:31 PM
#4
I felt this thread had a good title to talk about these companies. Here's some basic info.
What is Polyurethane?
Polyurethane is a term used to describe a wide ranging family of elastomers (any compound exhibiting the characteristics of natural rubber; stretchy and elastic.). Poly meaning "many" and "urethane" the classification of the chemical structure. Polyurethane or urethane for short, is used as a solid cast material (bushings). Polyurethane can be as soft as a rubber band or as hard as plastic.
How are urethanes rated?
There are approximately 20 categories in which urethanes are rated based on physical properties. The most common is hardness. Others include: abrasion resistance; compression set; tensile strength; tear strength; etc.
Are all urethane bushings the same? Same material, same hardness?
No, no and no. Each manufacturer has their own idea as to the best way a bushing should be designed. Different companies can also mold their parts in slightly different shapes and they may look different, but they are all designed to fit the intended application, despite their looks. For example the Prothane TQ arm mount is 2 piece while the ES is one piece.
A few things that I have picked up over time is that the Prothane tranny mounts are a bit harder than the Energy Suspension (ES). So the ES parts will do the job with less chance of transmitting noise if installed without the preload bar. More info can be found here:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/manual-transmission/364694-poly-transmission-mount-tips-impressions.html
The only other somewhat conclusive difference I've found is that the Prothane caster bushing is tougher and lasts longer than the ES one.
So maybe Prothane mixes their urethane for a slightly tougher, harder product? I don't know, but I haven't heard of many other differences between these 2 brands.
I hope that helps.
What is Polyurethane?
Polyurethane is a term used to describe a wide ranging family of elastomers (any compound exhibiting the characteristics of natural rubber; stretchy and elastic.). Poly meaning "many" and "urethane" the classification of the chemical structure. Polyurethane or urethane for short, is used as a solid cast material (bushings). Polyurethane can be as soft as a rubber band or as hard as plastic.
How are urethanes rated?
There are approximately 20 categories in which urethanes are rated based on physical properties. The most common is hardness. Others include: abrasion resistance; compression set; tensile strength; tear strength; etc.
Are all urethane bushings the same? Same material, same hardness?
No, no and no. Each manufacturer has their own idea as to the best way a bushing should be designed. Different companies can also mold their parts in slightly different shapes and they may look different, but they are all designed to fit the intended application, despite their looks. For example the Prothane TQ arm mount is 2 piece while the ES is one piece.
A few things that I have picked up over time is that the Prothane tranny mounts are a bit harder than the Energy Suspension (ES). So the ES parts will do the job with less chance of transmitting noise if installed without the preload bar. More info can be found here:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/manual-transmission/364694-poly-transmission-mount-tips-impressions.html
The only other somewhat conclusive difference I've found is that the Prothane caster bushing is tougher and lasts longer than the ES one.
So maybe Prothane mixes their urethane for a slightly tougher, harder product? I don't know, but I haven't heard of many other differences between these 2 brands.
I hope that helps.
