Polyurethane silent blocks: reviews, specifications, photos

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

In any car there are a large number of rubber components. These are bushings for various purposes, o-rings, covers, carpets, mudguards and, of course, silent blocks. The latter is understood as a product of two metal bushings, one of which is of a smaller diameter and placed inside the other, connected to each other with rubber. The sizes of silent blocks vary over a wide range.

Due to the fact that rubber wears out quickly enough and does not work well at low temperatures, they are trying to replace it with a more stable and durable material, such as polyurethane. Polyurethane silent blocks, reviews of which do not have time to scatter on the Internet, will be the subject of this article. Consider the positive aspects of these products, their difference from rubber competitors, properties, varieties and methods of production.

Destination

For a clearer comparison and understanding, the purpose should be indicated. The silent block as a rubber-metal bushing in the lever is the link between the suspension elements of the car. The flexibility, elasticity and reliability of the connections between the levers depend on it. When receiving a load, hitting one of the connecting levers, the silent block dampens it and transmits only part of the vibrations.

Useful properties of silent blocks cause their widespread use in the car. They can be found:

• in the front suspension;
• in rear suspension;
• for mounting the power unit and gearbox;
• in steering mechanisms.

Attractive features of polyurethane

To make the advantages of polyurethane products more clear, let's consider its properties. First of all, polyurethane is an artificially created synthetic elastomer. Depending on the modes of manufacturing technology and the controlled amount of components included in the composition, several types of material can be obtained at the output. At the same time, the strength of the simplest option is 4 times higher than the strength of rubber. The material is not afraid of working in aggressive environments. The operating temperature ranges from -60 to +80 degrees Celsius.

Polyurethane silent blocks reviews are the most positive. Of course, there are also enough negative ones, which are explained by some shortcomings of the material, explained below. Well, among the advantages should be highlighted:

• highstrength;
• greater impact resistance;
• wide operating temperature range;
• successful resistance to aggressive media: oil, gasoline, acids, s alt;
• the ability to change their physical and chemical properties when changing the composition.

The strength of polyurethane silent blocks is due not only to the fact that the material itself is strong, but also to the fact that the bond between metal and polyurethane is also significant and surpasses rubber. That is why there are practically no delaminations among bushings made of this material. At low temperatures, polyurethane does not tan and ages much longer than rubber. As you can see, there are a lot of pluses, but what about the disadvantages?

A little tar in a barrel of honey

Despite many positive aspects, polyurethane silent blocks have some disadvantages. The most important of them is the cost. The prices for such silent blocks are at least 2 times higher than the prices for rubber counterparts. And the stronger the type of polyurethane, the greater this difference. For example, a polyurethane silent block for a foreign car may cost 2,500 rubles, while a native rubber analogue will cost 500 rubles.

The second point that reduces the number of people using such products is rigidity. Suspension on polyurethane silent blocks is well suited for a sports car. For a simple passenger car, the joy of driving can be significantly reduced due to the tight grip of polyurethane. That's why this material is used for engine mountsmuch less frequently.

It is also worth noting that polyurethane silent blocks reviews in winter are worse because of the squeak. And this moment actually takes place, since polyurethane silent blocks, unlike rubber ones, always need to be lubricated during installation.

With all this, when buying polyurethane products, it is imperative to study the suppliers. The production process is not so complicated, and there are many enterprises involved in the manufacture of the material. And, of course, the quality of different manufacturers can vary significantly. And such an indicator as price does not help much in this case. Polyurethane silent blocks, reviews of which are consistently good, are of the best quality.

Famous Manufacturers

In a short period of time, polyurethane silent blocks for VAZ, GAZ, UAZ and foreign cars have won their market share. Among the manufacturing companies it is worth highlighting:

• "Fulcrum".
• "Fivefold resource".
• Polyurethane LLC.

The Tochka Opory company has only positive reviews and has been supplying polyurethane products since 2000. They produce silent blocks of levers, suspension, bushings of shock absorbers, stabilizers and many others, such as are necessary to replace the product. The other two firms are younger but no less ambitious. A large number of polyurethane products are receiving more and more feedback and a variety of reviews.

Production of polyurethane silent blocks

Popular polyurethane products attract so much attention that they make you want to make them yourself. It would seem thatit can be simpler: take a ready-made powder from the necessary components and, withstanding the required temperature and pressure, get the desired elastomer. Having a shape, you can fill in polyurethane in the liquid phase and get, for example, rear silent blocks at the exit.

In reality, things are not so rosy. Without special equipment, high-quality products cannot be obtained. But only excellent quality and chic properties attract first of all. That is why there are not so many well-known manufacturers. Knowing real reviews, it is easy enough to determine the right supplier for yourself.

Do-it-yourself polyurethane silent blocks

It should be said right away that it is almost impossible to make high-quality polyurethane products on your own. In addition to specialized machines for metal processing, it is necessary to have equipment and devices for the production of polyurethane. Only the elastomer itself can be obtained in a handicraft way at home, but its quality cannot be compared with industrial products.

The same rear silent blocks on cars of any manufacturer have hard-coded parameters. Not every industrial production is able to obtain a product with the same characteristics. In addition, the smaller the batch of products, the higher the final cost.

Application

Silentblock is a common element in the design of any car. Therefore, the use of polyurethane silent blocks is not limited to foreign cars, they are also used in domestic cars. Mostpolyurethane products are valued in sports cars, as a greater margin of safety is needed here, which rubber does not provide. Sports suspensions use the hardest polyurethane silent blocks, they receive well-deserved reviews.

The next category of vehicles in which polyurethane has proven itself well are SUVs. Ordinary rubber here wears out quickly enough and does not perform the functions inherent in it. Silent blocks of levers, bushings of stabilizers - everything goes with a bang.

Domestic cars for the use of polyurethane products are in last place, and this place is determined precisely by reviews. Indeed, in terms of the number of volumes sold, our motorists will give odds to foreign cars. VAZ uses silent blocks in the same quantities. And many want to test the wear resistance of polyurethane on their car.

Reviews on polyurethane silent blocks on VAZ

The fleet of domestic cars includes both cars and utility vehicles, as well as SUVs and trucks. At the same time, VAZ cars received the largest use of polyurethane. Polyurethane silent blocks on the "Niva" work well in all weather conditions and extend the time until the next repair. VAZ-2121 is a popular inexpensive model for remote roads and field conditions. Investing in polyurethane suspension, according to reviews, is justified.

Polyurethane silent blocks on the VAZ-2107 also have such positive qualities as wear resistance, long-term operation and improvedcontrollability. At the same time, Russian classics acquire extra rigidity, which can repel fans of a comfortable ride. After all, rubber, as a softer material, gives a feeling of softness and comfort, which is not enough for everyone on domestic vehicles.

Among the producers of polyurethane for Russian cars stands out brand "SS20 Sport". Polyurethane silent blocks (VAZ) have a bright red color for a sports suspension and classic yellow for standard options. The increased rigidity of the SS20 Sport series guarantees maximum handling and the largest margin for durability and service life.

Why are polyurethane products different colors?

Polyurethane silent blocks for VAZ-2107, GAZ, UAZ and even for foreign cars can have different colors. And if yellow has already become familiar, then red, blue and green can confuse the first time.

The polyurethane itself initially has no color. Dyes are added specifically to mark a particular composition. Therefore, to determine the properties of the one you like, for example, the blue silent block, you must read the product description. Different manufacturers under the same color can produce goods with different physical and chemical properties.

Unfortunately, there are no uniform standards for polyurethane products. However, yellow polyurethane silent blocks, according to reviews, are considered the softest.

Reviews on the use of polyurethane on foreign cars

Many motorists after watching ads aboutpolyurethane began to use polyurethane silent blocks in their cars. Reviews of the VAZ-2110 or Toyota did not make much difference. The general opinion is that it has become much tougher. And if you save money and take a cheaper polyurethane kit, you can buy low-quality products.

The best reviews are written by owners of sports cars who operate vehicles on a flat road. In cases with irregularities, the opinions of car owners changed to the opposite.

Installation details

In order for polyurethane silent blocks to work exactly as they should, a number of recommendations must be followed.

First of all, before installing the silent block, it is necessary to lubricate it, for example, with lithol. This will add surface elasticity and reduce the squeak so unloved by everyone. This is especially true for the operation of products at low temperatures.

The second point is to pre-tighten the suspension before a break-in test drive. In quiet mode, polyurethane silent blocks on the Niva, for example, take their places in fact and take on a working form. And only after running in all the bolts are finally tightened.

Rubber or polyurethane

A long debate about what is better: rubber or polyurethane in silent blocks, you can forget. There are pros and cons for each side. So, rubber attracts primarily with its softness and elasticity. At the same time, the material is heavily tanned in winter and has a short service life. Loses to polyurethane and inwork in hostile environments.

Polyurethane, according to reviews, is indispensable for sports suspension, where good handling and long service life are needed. But even on uneven road realities, the polyurethane front silent block will cause some inconvenience to the entire front suspension.

Conclusion

Summarizing, it should be noted that polyurethane bushings are highly attractive and have excellent properties. With the right selection, which takes into account operating conditions, as well as with proper installation, polyurethane analogues will last much longer than native rubber products.