Poly Bushes

[Gandalf]

Anyone offer advice where to source best priced poly bushes for rear suspension and A frame on late 400SE?
Also on the look out for steering shaft uj`s not desperate but preventative maintenance and help sourcing these would be gratefully recieved.

[ian8542]

If you're going down the polybush route, get some really stiff ones or you'll be sorry.

[redcar]

Gandalf said:

Anyone offer advice where to source best priced poly bushes for rear suspension and A frame on late 400SE? Also on the look out for steering shaft uj`s not desperate but preventative maintenance and help sourcing these would be gratefully recieved.

Austec will supply only, had them do mine and there good one's
Redcar

[19560]

ian8542 said:

If you're going down the polybush route, get some really stiff ones or you'll be sorry.

Unless you're racing then I wouldn't agree with that, especially for an A frame car. I've fitted some superflex www.superflex.chriswitor.co.uk/ ones which are harder than the rubber originals but soft for poly ones. They work very well. IMHO the problem areas are the drop link bushes where stiff ones may be useful (but even more difficult to fit ) and the rear suspension where if you fit too stiff bushes all round there have been cases of the suspension locking up because the A-frame and trailing arm operate in different planes and only work because of the compliance of the bushes.

[350matt]

I'd go along with that fit superflex - tower view also are a vendor for them and definitly don't go too stiff on the bush. If you fit nylon everywhere the car handles oddly - been there done that.


Matt

[ian8542]

19560 said:

ian8542 said: If you're going down the polybush route, get some really stiff ones or you'll be sorry. Unless you're racing then I wouldn't agree with that, especially for an A frame car. I've fitted some superflex www.superflex.chriswitor.co.uk/ ones which are harder than the rubber originals but soft for poly ones. They work very well. IMHO the problem areas are the drop link bushes where stiff ones may be useful (but even more difficult to fit ) and the rear suspension where if you fit too stiff bushes all round there have been cases of the suspension locking up because the A-frame and trailing arm operate in different planes and only work because of the compliance of the bushes.

I'm only speaking from experience on my own Chimaera and what i have seen on other Griff and Chimaera models.
If somebody can give me step by step details of how to post pictures on here i will show you what happens when fitting poly bushes.
Just recently i have replaced both front sets of wishbones on a Griff (the 2 top ones were almost new).
This was as a result of some dealership fitting polybushes, they were trashed within a short space of time, the inner tube damaging the wishbone bush eyes beyond repair. The front tyres were also badly worn due to the changing suspension geometry.

[mikeb]

The first thing you do after messing with your suspension especially changing bushes / steering components etc is to get the geometry checked.

Usually you are replacing worn components with new ones which will obviously change the geometry.

I changed over from worn rubber bushes (and i do mean worn with a capitol W!) for poly bushes and the ride and handling (after a 4 wheel alignment) was brilliant although much harder as I did change the springs at the same time.

I now turn a corner and the car actually turns as well! instead of sort of 'lurch' around it.

MikeB

[Gandalf]

Thanks for the advice guys much appreciated
i`m all

One question can I get away with replacing the A frame front tie rod bushes alone with poly, (whilst leaving the rest alone, or should I replace all of the bushes throughout on both sides at the same time with the same type?

Is Ians experience with the Chimaera set up likely to be so different to a wedge?

[350matt]

You can replace the bushes one at a time as they're close to the stiffness of the original rubber.
As long as you stick with superflex then you'll be fine ,don't know make Ian fitted so I can't comment. But a very soft bush would lead ot the problems he's described.

Matt

[ian8542]

350matt said:

You can replace the bushes one at a time as they're close to the stiffness of the original rubber. As long as you stick with superflex then you'll be fine ,don't know make Ian fitted so I can't comment. But a very soft bush would lead ot the problems he's described. Matt

From what i can gather they are Superflex and are purple or dark blue in colour.
They were recommended by Peninsula Automotive. I only ever fitted 1 set to the rear of my Chimaera and were replaced soon after with standard items.
The rest i have seen on other cars with bad handling characteristics and damaged wishbones.
Speak to a few specialist outfits which have used them like RT Racing.
I suppose at the end of the day it depends on what sort of driving you do and how bad your original bushes were. As i have said on another post regarding Polybushes, if you go from completely knackered bushes to poly ones, you will think it is great, same goes for dampers etc.

>> Edited by ian8542 on Sunday 8th August 09:07

[NHyde]

Ran my previous Chimaera for 20k on Polyflex fitted by Peninsula , no problems . The 400 has completed 6k since the rebuild on the same , handles like a dream , the SEAC has done 9k with the same and handles ridiculously well !!