This might help answer a couple of questions, lifted this from the Torana forum . .. Seems some blame the humidity / heat etc oil / fuel contamination etc But it seems production quality is the most likley to blame .
" QUOTE "
I recently spoke to the guy who I have liased with over many years at my work and who makes the stuff for a living here in Adelaide, 'the poly guru' regarding Bombers problem. He agrees with my sentiments that polyurethane is not affected by the elements. Polyurethane was developed by the mining industry years ago to overcome the ongoing high maintenance factor of their equipment such as replacing the rollers on ship loading conveyor belt systems etc. As an example, shutting down loading facilities at ports to replace rubber and other components is costly and the polyurethane rollers etc helped to reduce this maintenance routine substantially. From my experience and as I mentioned earlier, a GOOD QUALITY polyurethane WILL withstand being placed in any location or application in a Torry.
The problem lies in the manufacture of the stuff. It is said that some manufacturers may add a "filler material" to the good mix so that the liquid bulks up and "goes further" prior to pouring so they can produce more products, in this case suspension bushes from the one batch mix. Its very similar to watering down paint so it goes further. Perhaps call it industry economics.
The crunch is that with the addition of the "filler material", polyurethane looses its extremely superior qualities and THE first thing to suffer is its material bonding capability which causes a loss of strength resulting in material degeneration. Yes, thats more than likely all the problem is! You can't beat quality.
It is also said that you'll probably find this more apparent in the boat trailer roller industry where they may get away with it more often. Lots more trailers and lots more rollers to be made and hence they can 'stretch' the output production numbers.
Based on the stories I've seen so far, its buyer beware. If I was to purchase a polyurethane suspension product for my Torry right now then I would be asking the guy behind the counter the $64 question - where was it made, is it local or is it imported, and to put his reputation behind his product and get him to demonstrate the stuff and put it in a vice (with jaw keepers), bang it with a hammer or something, and if it handles it buy it, and if it breaks and crumbles or shows signs of fatigue then walk away. That's me though. Alternatively, you may wish to have a right of returning the goods for refund/replacement. Methinks it should have a lifetime guarantee just sitting around in a package until installed anyway. Better still I would have the Adelaide guy make it.
I hope this further helps.
