Polybushes - one p**** off customer

[pbaker43]

I decided to start stripping of the suspension because the bushes were worn and the ball joints knocking, but only one side at a time.
Monday the wishbones came back from grit blasting spent 4 days coating them with paint (tight b*****d me) I decided to put every thing back this evening, ready to start the other side, ha what a joke.
I brought the polybushes for the Chim from a well known supplier 3 months ago ready to do the job, today I found that the bottom pin with the top hat washer (for the spot weld) are 16.5mm dia, where as all the other pins are 16mm, hence it does not fit in to the bush.
Plus to make matter worse the bolts in the bolt kit are not 8.8 HT they are some other make maybe from China ‘whan fook ming type’.. It seems that now a days you have to check everything, what happened to ‘do it right first time’ and quality control, no wonder every thing is going to China. - Sorry one pissed off TVR owner, rant over…

Has anyone else had the same problems with these polybushes, or I am just an unlucky b*****d, I did tried to phone the supplier but he has gone for the weekend?

[pbaker43]

Ok Guys, I have to eat some humble pie.

The ‘supplier’ has just called me to say that he will check stock and send the correct bushes in the post first class, it seems that 16mm is correct..
At least some of my faith in ‘customer service’ has been restored :-)

Sliconekid, it is Daz yes? You are right, on all accounts I do not name people, there is to much finger pointing already in the world. Did you get sorted out for the rear wheel bearings; I got mine from Burton Power (Essex I believe), great bunch of guys?

[pbaker43]

Hi Daz,

You dream about it every night, don’t tell the other half or you will be sleeping the garage…

Yep track days are additive, I raced a Bowler off road most weekends and that was additive for the brain but cruel for the body it is amazing what rough ground can do to the dics in your spine, but what a thrill…

Never done a track day or driven on a race circuit, (go-karts yes). Did know a guy who was responsible for all the temporary electrical works for the F1 teams, but F1 has never interested me hence I never took the offer to visit on race days, 'i know stupid'..
There a couple of tracks here in France mainly in the north or the south and it is not cheap, plus you have to be a member of a club, pay high prices etc.

So thanks Daz for making me feel home sick for motorsport – suppose I will have to move back to the UK for this passion, but things are not too ‘Great’ in Britain at the moment for jobs, we will see, enjoy your weekend Daz.

[pbaker43]

OK ! seems I am in for a ‘wrist slapping’

While being p*** off last night, I decided to get on my to vent some of my on to PHs about the bolts, having engaged my mouth before brain it seems that in the cold light of day I WAS WRONG about the bolts. I have been fully corrected on this matter by Steve, so here it is :-

Steve very sorry for complaining before speaking with you, thanks for sending the right bushes express post..

In my defense I had planned a weekend away with friends with the TVR, I was looking forward to it but had to scrap the plans for me plus I had to pay a cancellation charge to the hotel so hence the ‘mouth before brain’…

[pbaker43]

Hi Guys,

Sorry to chip in but I have some comments. Even though the thread for poly bushes got hijacked for roll bars, I have to agree with JR, for the comments on the so called ‘roll bar’..

Decide what you want to do with your car first and stick to it and never compromise, compromising in motor sport means death..

All these ‘my mate made this for me’ may look good but will they save your life should you roll over, they may fold like a slice of bread. Plus thinking that this is improving the cars ability is a little over stated. Where’s the spreader plates for taking the stress and fore and aft bars for stiffening the chassis. What about a side impact, if you go off track and slam in to an Armco barrier?

Has anyone got a test certificate for the design detailing what material should be used what is maximum impact vertically, horizontally and laterally?
Granted in a gentle roll, others are better designed like haircutmikes, but it is still attached to those flimsy outriggers, however it may save some mashing of the peanut.

While ‘off roading, comp safari style’ I have barrel rolled down a hill, hit a tree at over 60mph, and stood the car on its nose before finishing on its roof. Only when these things happen and you walk away do you thank the FIA and the people who designed and tested them. A Roll cage for a 1500kg Land Rover has to withstand a minimum of 50 Tons impact, TVRs are not that much lighter..

The TVR has a low center of gravity, if you are getting to the stage of lifting the wheels then you are at the limits of the car, personally at this point I would be consulting roll cage designers because one day you will go over that limit and it could be ‘good night Vienna’ I would like to see my pension (if there is one) and enjoy it.

If I was serious about track days I would have my car looking like the one below, hoops front and rear with cross-bracing, but if it is just a blast around a track driving within the limits of the car may be these designs are OK.
My opinion my be a little over the top.

I now wait for the slap on the wrist and the people who are more knowledgeable than me to point out where I have gone wrong