Wishbone bushes
Discussion
I am a Powerflex dealer and in the past have had replacement bushes designed specifically for cars, including the subframe and wishbone bushes for a number of BMW's by the Powerflex R&D team.
I see that replacements are available as rose joints but not as bushes, so I could have some designed and manufactured, but the problem is quantities.
Powerflex and my other manufacturer will only do quantities of 100 or more, so I wonder if there is enough demand for me to warrant the outlay?
Who would be interested in improved urethane replacements when most owners insist on OEM parts all-the-way and would never dream of getting to work on the car, or an indie, themselves?
If anyone has failed, scrap wishbones that they are willing to donate to use for designing replacement bushes, I would be willing to do some dimensional drawings and see how many bush options we would need and get some ideas of cost.
I see that replacements are available as rose joints but not as bushes, so I could have some designed and manufactured, but the problem is quantities.
Powerflex and my other manufacturer will only do quantities of 100 or more, so I wonder if there is enough demand for me to warrant the outlay?
Who would be interested in improved urethane replacements when most owners insist on OEM parts all-the-way and would never dream of getting to work on the car, or an indie, themselves?
If anyone has failed, scrap wishbones that they are willing to donate to use for designing replacement bushes, I would be willing to do some dimensional drawings and see how many bush options we would need and get some ideas of cost.
Edited by 8Tech on Friday 12th February 08:52
If anyone has some wishbones we can look to see how feasible this would be. I own Powerflex and have just bought a V12V. Mail me at david@powerflex.co.uk with pictures initially and we can see if we can do it and add to the catalogue which would mean there would be no minimum order and you can order from Gerry
This would be a good idea, as long as the cost made sense to everyone. It might be worth contacting the race boys.DAE or Banford Rose for there thought as well, they might have a few wishbones available to work with. There might already be a solution already via x ref to other makes, Jag Ford Volvo??
Email sent
96eight said:
If anyone has some wishbones we can look to see how feasible this would be. I own Powerflex and have just bought a V12V. Mail me at david@powerflex.co.uk with pictures initially and we can see if we can do it and add to the catalogue which would mean there would be no minimum order and you can order from Gerry
8Tech said:
Who would be interested in improved urethane replacements when most owners insist on OEM parts all-the-way and would never dream of getting to work on the car, or an indie, themselves?
Interested in costs. I've replaced all the crappy OE bushes on my last two previous cars and the difference is staggering. I'd actually say the best mod I've made, both cars were tracked and you could feel the suspension behaving as you'd expect.Edited by 8Tech on Friday 12th February 08:52
Granted its labor intensive, my previous cars I did myself and wrote a guide to the Prelude community backj in the day. The AM, hmmmm I'd need a good workshop manual.
I have got a rear lower wishbone to change on my 07 V8V, it's not the rubber bushes that tend to go it's the outer rose joint or the actual arm cracking.
I did do a bit of research and you might find that the bushes are fitted to some of the jag or land rover range.
Please keep us updated as to progress and availability/.
I did do a bit of research and you might find that the bushes are fitted to some of the jag or land rover range.
Please keep us updated as to progress and availability/.
96eight said:
If anyone has some wishbones we can look to see how feasible this would be. I own Powerflex and have just bought a V12V. Mail me at david@powerflex.co.uk with pictures initially and we can see if we can do it and add to the catalogue which would mean there would be no minimum order and you can order from Gerry
I recently had to replace an entire drivers side rear lower wishbone because of a single worn rubber bush (which seemed bonkers). I spent a bit of time looking for a poly bush kit before concluding it's not currently available so I'd be very interested if you decided to develop such a thing.Anyway, I have the wishbone which I removed and would be happy for you to use it as a development aid if you are still looking for one. Pm me if interested.
just replaced RH lower wishbone on my 2005 DB9, the castor bolt had seized in the bush making it impossible to carry out adjustment.
pre job research showed this is common on the RH but not on the left which was free enough to push out with finger!!
I replaced the bolt anyway with a bit of copperslip.
the RH was a bit of a job , with the bolt seized in the wishbone it can only be removed by cutting the bush above and below the arm ( Makita reciprocating saw did the job).
seemingly a stuck bottom ball joint can also be a problem resulting in having to replace the upright as well, mine was, i applied considerable force with a balljoint splitter to no avail.
as the arm was scrap now ( the rear bush cant be obtained separate..........back to that in a minute)i cut the bottom ball joint pin with a grinder so i could proceed with strip down,if i had to buy an upright well so be it.
when the upright and upper wishbone were off i gently tapped the remaining part of the bottom balljoint and the bloody thing fell out!, i suspect the heat generated from the cut freed it ( £500.00 saved!!)
so now i can pull the arm free and fit the new one form my local AM dealer (£269.00 + vat).
the ungettable bush was surprise surprise maked FORD YC15-3A262-A and is a transit part.
had i known this i might of persevered with the ball joint and just fitted a new bush and castor bolt, but its done now and i`m happy as i do enjoy this kind off thing,
Also my horrid cracking noise when manoeuvring has gone
hope this helps in the quest to refurb lower arms
craig
pre job research showed this is common on the RH but not on the left which was free enough to push out with finger!!
I replaced the bolt anyway with a bit of copperslip.
the RH was a bit of a job , with the bolt seized in the wishbone it can only be removed by cutting the bush above and below the arm ( Makita reciprocating saw did the job).
seemingly a stuck bottom ball joint can also be a problem resulting in having to replace the upright as well, mine was, i applied considerable force with a balljoint splitter to no avail.
as the arm was scrap now ( the rear bush cant be obtained separate..........back to that in a minute)i cut the bottom ball joint pin with a grinder so i could proceed with strip down,if i had to buy an upright well so be it.
when the upright and upper wishbone were off i gently tapped the remaining part of the bottom balljoint and the bloody thing fell out!, i suspect the heat generated from the cut freed it ( £500.00 saved!!)
so now i can pull the arm free and fit the new one form my local AM dealer (£269.00 + vat).
the ungettable bush was surprise surprise maked FORD YC15-3A262-A and is a transit part.
had i known this i might of persevered with the ball joint and just fitted a new bush and castor bolt, but its done now and i`m happy as i do enjoy this kind off thing,
Also my horrid cracking noise when manoeuvring has gone
hope this helps in the quest to refurb lower arms
craig
It certainly sounds like it can. Thats great news and being a Ford part, it would all sound about right.
My only concern is how tight the bush was in the arm because BMW do not offer replacement bushes/balljoints in their aluminium arms as it is not unknown for the casting to fail. Fine on steel arms though.
AM might have found the same?
My only concern is how tight the bush was in the arm because BMW do not offer replacement bushes/balljoints in their aluminium arms as it is not unknown for the casting to fail. Fine on steel arms though.
AM might have found the same?
I replaced the lower wishbones front and rear last year on my V8 Vantage MY12 because of lacerated bushes. The dealer recommended V8S wishbones because of the reinforced bushes. When I got the old wishbones I tried to dismantle the bushes with no success. They are obviously press fitted if not even bonded into the wishbone. But I have to admit not having the correct tools for this kind of job!
If someone has an idea how these bushes can be replaced I would be very interested as well in bushes.
If someone has an idea how these bushes can be replaced I would be very interested as well in bushes.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00IJZHAZQ/ref...
Looks the same, 33.00 as opposed to 270.00 ish. If it does fit, cant help feeling had over??
Looks the same, 33.00 as opposed to 270.00 ish. If it does fit, cant help feeling had over??
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