Suspension bushes...

[tel595]

I'm stripping all the suspension on the S and can't seem to find a thread showing the pros and cons for poly versus standard bushes. Think it's a good time to fit new but I'm not sure what's best to fit.. Any comments?

[glenrobbo]

Hi Terry,

I replaced all my front bushes including a/rollbar with Superflex poly. before last year's Alps trip.

I don't know if it had a dramatic effect coz I replaced all the springs & dampers at the same time, but the cumulative effect is an amazing improvement in handling.

For what it's worth, the cost is not really a huge amount more than standard bushes, and if you google Superflex or Powerflex, the pros & cons are explained.
There are a few different sellers on eBay, some small variations in price.

So my advice is "fit poly bushes"

By the way, there are 3 different thicknesses of a/rollbar, so measure yours before ordering.

[tel595]

Cheers Glen..

[greymrj]

I asked the same question recently, see;
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?f=11&...

I have recently taken off one rear suspension arm and sent it to Adrian Venn at ExactlyTVR. I talked to him about fitting rubber or poly for 'spirited road use'. What I was surprised to find is that he is getting an increasing number of arms in with failed poly bushes and that, in his experience, the rubber bushes are proving more durable for road use on an S.
I have therefore decided to go with rubber!

[phillpot]

greymrj said:

What I was surprised to find is that he is getting an increasing number of arms in with failed poly bushes

Interesting

While obviously not every S owner is a PH'er, I don't recall anyone coming on here yet cursing the premature failure of their "Poly bushes"?

Perhaps Adrian is talking more generally, across the whole TVR range?

[greymrj]

Hi Mike, I think his comments were general rather than just S but I will be speaking to him in the next few days (to pay for my arm repair) and will clarify. He has dealt with failures in all types of alternative bushes. He was absolutely straightforward in recommending rubber.
The cost of two rubber bushes (one rear arm), incl of delivery, from Neil at ML Performance Parts, was £63

[phillpot]

The "Poly" rear trailing arm bushes have only been around for a year or two I thought, they are in fact like a hard plastic, be most surprised if any of those have failed yet!

One of the big advantages to the DIY mechanic is ease of fitting

[greymrj]

This was effectively what Adrian was saying, they haven't been around long yet he is getting them in for replacement. Whereas the rubber ones have often lasted over 20 years. Apparently one of the issues has been hard used poly bushes separating from the steel, while this is much rarer on rubber bushes.

[tel595]

Thanks guys. This is interesting and I ask because I fitted poly bushes to a Lancia integrale 8 valve I had few years ago and it completely spoiled the ride. Went back to rubber and it was fine.. I understand the virtues of the stiffer poly bushes for race or 'fast road' use but I'm a bit weary of fitting them and loosing the comfort of the stock rubber items. Do you know if all the bushes are still available as original?
Cheers..

[phillpot]

greymrj said:

one of the issues has been hard used poly bushes separating from the steel,

Really not sure what the problem could be, the steel is not bonded to the bush like in the rubber type, but no doubt Adrian could explain in his inimitable way





The front wishbone bushes have so little rubber in them I would doubt if any difference could be detected between rubber or poly if comparing new for new ?

Edited by phillpot on Thursday 20th February 20:31

[tel595]

Have you used these Mike?

[phillpot]

Yep, that's my own photo taken prior to fitting, all seems ok so far!


bit tight to fit so "spread" the brackets just a touch.




9/16"bolts are getting hard to find so I went for 14mm. fractionally thinner but felt exactly the same "fit" in the bush tubes.

[tel595]

My brackets would crumble apart if I did that.. New ones needed.! Your point about them not being that much rubber makes sense. My integrale had quite a sophisticated set-up on the front and I don't think it needed to be stiffer for road use.
Can't wait to get mine to the Maldon so when it comes back I can get building with new and clean components. Love it !

[greymrj]

As far as I am aware all the bushes are still available in original spec. To be sure I suggest you phone Neil Perry of ML Performance Parts 01823 660238 (formally of the now defunct TVR Car Parts).

[v8s4me]

The bush in the picture is over 20 years old. Not bad eh? Will the new polyfangled bushes perform as well? Is any perceived improvement in handling really worth the lack of durability?

[Ragtop]

Is that one of mine?! If it is, it's done around 40k miles.

How are you getting on with the springs?

Regards,
Graham

[mikel003003]

I have just removed the bushes from the front wishbones they weren't too bad but as there off for powder coating soon they had too come out, my question is, do the front wishbone bushes come in the same easy to install 3part set like the trailing arm bushes otherwise they look a right pain in the arse to fit

[v8s4me]

Ragtop said:

Is that one of mine?!

Yes! When I replaced the bushes on my dampers back in 2010 at 90k miles they were not in noticeably worse condition than your 40k ones.

Ragtop said:

......How are you getting on with the springs?

The springs went off to Maldon Powder Coating yesterday so watch this space.

Did you manage to fix your oil burning problem?

[greymrj]

I have just stripped a rear suspension arm after well over 90K miles. Bushes were still pretty good, no delamination. I have checked all the paperwork, no evidence that they had ever been replaced. I had to burn them out then cut the outer shell!

[glenrobbo]

mikel003003 said:

I have just removed the bushes from the front wishbones. my question is, do the front wishbone bushes come in the same easy to install 3part set like the trailing arm bushes otherwise they look a right pain in the arse to fit

Yes Mikel, the poly bushes come in 3 parts for each bush assembly plus a sachet of lubricant to help assembly. Relatively easy job.