1988 245 wagon: Early in the summer I rebuilt my entire front end and used OEM rubber bushings. I wanted to experiment so I spent the past few days replacing all my worn rear bushings with poly. There is a difference. The front [rubber] noticeably absorbs and cushions whereas the rear are not harsh but significantly firmer, feel more controlled. The Poly bushings combined with Boge turbo gas shocks definitly give a firmer ride. I personally wouldn't be happy with it any firmer.

A few observations from this job: I don't have air impact tools or a hydraulic press - only hand tools. I have jack stands and work on my back under the car. I rented [$58] the trailing arm bushing tool. Wouldn't think of doing it any other way. Since I could take the trailing arm to my vise I started to press out the front bushing on the trailing arm. After pounding, drilling, squirting and twisting the vise for a couple of hours it moved about 1/8 inch. The machine shop attached to my local NAPA auto parts store charged me $16 to press out both and I spent more time waiting to pay than it took them to press it out. I pressed the poly bushings in my vise and reattached the trailing arms before removing the torque rods and panhard rod to maintain alignment of the holes. NAPA charged $30 to press out those 6 bushings. It took 5-7 tons of pressure. My wagon gained about 3/4 -7/8 inch height in the rear giving me just enough additional room to get under and torque bolts with the bushings loaded with the weight of the car. Hard work but the results are worth it especially since the dealer wanted about $800 and an independent shop quoted $700 here in Scam Diego