Puma problems - suspension bushes?

[RDE]

When I had my last service, the chap mentioned the bushes would need replacing before the next MOT, as they were starting to wear out. Recently the steering has developed a vagueness and the turn in isn't as smart as it used to be, also the ride seems a bit clunky. I imagine this is the aforementioned bushes giving up, or am I assuming wrongly? I have also begun to notice a rather horrible low-frequency vibration when accelerating in 4th and 5th beyond about 40mph, which subsides when you maintain speed. Any ideas as to the cause of this? Looks like it will be going to the garage anyway, but thought i'd check if they were problems people had encountered before.

[Zad]

Vague steering <tick>
Clunky ride <tick>
Wheel vibration <tick>

Yup, that's the crappy Ford bushes going. Don't replace them with Ford items, seem out some uprated jobs and then wonder at how on earth you managed without them

[RDE]

Thanks for that, good to know it's likely to be all one cause. I was thinking about some Powerflex ones but didn't know if they'd be too firm. Any recommendations?

[damci]

My Puma failed its MOT on bushes recently but I replaced them with standard Ford items which seem OK. I only did this as I couldn't afford the extra for the Powerflex ones at the time. You can get the full front/rear Powerflex kit off ebay for about £130 its a good little upgrade.