Powerflex or Original bushings
Discussion
Guys just wondering as my DBS is reaching 10-12 years of life the bushes are slightly worn out.
Has anyone tried the Powerflex bushes and how are the feedback.
The reason looking for alternatives since Aston does not sell bushes but rather the whole arm that would cost alot more to replace all the arms so i am looking for better value alternatives
Has anyone tried the Powerflex bushes and how are the feedback.
The reason looking for alternatives since Aston does not sell bushes but rather the whole arm that would cost alot more to replace all the arms so i am looking for better value alternatives
Not sure about in a Aston Martin, but generally I guess its like this (also my experiences in all my Z3 (M) roadster and coupe cars)
Key benefits of polyurethane:
-Extend the life of tires,
-Stability of the suspension,
-Increased driving comfort,
-Increased safety,
-Lower operating costs.
I use Strongflex via .eu they are 'cheap' er then powerflex and I find them also better! used both, also best to take their yellow, those are not so hard as you might think, I found them to be perfect.
But... I do believe they do not have them yet for Aston Martin cars... Powerflex does.
In that case, I then had to go for powerflex if I had a Aston.
Key benefits of polyurethane:
-Extend the life of tires,
-Stability of the suspension,
-Increased driving comfort,
-Increased safety,
-Lower operating costs.
I use Strongflex via .eu they are 'cheap' er then powerflex and I find them also better! used both, also best to take their yellow, those are not so hard as you might think, I found them to be perfect.
But... I do believe they do not have them yet for Aston Martin cars... Powerflex does.
In that case, I then had to go for powerflex if I had a Aston.
I've asked 3 independent garages and all have stated while it can be done to press out the old pushes and insert new powerflex, it's not an easy job which will require the removal of the arms etc. By the time they've messed about trying to sort it out, it would be just as cost effective replacing with OEM.
Im sure there will be guys on here that have the required tools and time to do this so maybe you will get a different reply.
Im sure there will be guys on here that have the required tools and time to do this so maybe you will get a different reply.
GTRene said:
Not sure about in a Aston Martin, but generally I guess its like this (also my experiences in all my Z3 (M) roadster and coupe cars)
Key benefits of polyurethane:
-Extend the life of tires,
-Stability of the suspension,
-Increased driving comfort,
-Increased safety,
-Lower operating costs.
I use Strongflex via .eu they are 'cheap' er then powerflex and I find them also better! used both, also best to take their yellow, those are not so hard as you might think, I found them to be perfect.
But... I do believe they do not have them yet for Aston Martin cars... Powerflex does.
In that case, I then had to go for powerflex if I had a Aston.
Key downsides of polyurethane Key benefits of polyurethane:
-Extend the life of tires,
-Stability of the suspension,
-Increased driving comfort,
-Increased safety,
-Lower operating costs.
I use Strongflex via .eu they are 'cheap' er then powerflex and I find them also better! used both, also best to take their yellow, those are not so hard as you might think, I found them to be perfect.
But... I do believe they do not have them yet for Aston Martin cars... Powerflex does.
In that case, I then had to go for powerflex if I had a Aston.
- altered vehicle dynamics - very likely worse, including less steering stability at speed.
- altered vehicle nvh - very likely harsher/louder
Kawasicki said:
Key downsides of polyurethane
- altered vehicle dynamics - very likely worse, including less steering stability at speed.
- altered vehicle nvh - very likely harsher/louder
Good point and being an automotive dynamics engineer, I guess would have a lot of experience in this department.- altered vehicle dynamics - very likely worse, including less steering stability at speed.
- altered vehicle nvh - very likely harsher/louder
Finding Neutral said:
I have polybushed road cars and wouldn’t do it again personally
And I have polybushed lots of road cars and would highly recommend them. Far superior IMO to the stock rubber offering.If Powerflex have done their homework, and I suspect they have as always, then they will use appropriate durometer urethane for the desired results. Generally black for sport, purple for road as well as a grey and yellow versions for some applications. I have 100,000m on some and still perform as new.
Yes, you may need to remove the arms if you don't have a decent tool inventory, but the bushes take minutes to press out and less to put back in so there is no way a garage should compare the labour charges for that to the cost of replacement arms.
In fact, there are some AM specialists offering the arms on an exchange basis ready fitted with the urethane bushes. If I did not have the tooling to replace the bushes myself, that is the route I would go.
And finally..........if the OEM bushes were that good in the first place, you wouldn't need to be replacing them!
From what i understand.
Rubber bushing
- More comfortable and OEM stock ride / Less handling oriented
- limitation is that Aston needs you to change whole arm so more expensive
- no squeaks / less vibrations as rubber bushing have more give
Polyurethane bushing (Powerflex and other aftermarket)
- harsher ride? Maybe more handling oriented
- cheaper to replace (can bush just bushes) some people who have access to workshops with reasonable labour cost may find it more cost effective.
- would it be squeaky and have vibrations into cabin?
I guess verdict we need to wait if someone with an Aston have tried both and if they can answer
- how is ride quality compared to oem bushes
- how hard is installation (cost of install of powerflex will vary on where each user is located in the world)
Rubber bushing
- More comfortable and OEM stock ride / Less handling oriented
- limitation is that Aston needs you to change whole arm so more expensive
- no squeaks / less vibrations as rubber bushing have more give
Polyurethane bushing (Powerflex and other aftermarket)
- harsher ride? Maybe more handling oriented
- cheaper to replace (can bush just bushes) some people who have access to workshops with reasonable labour cost may find it more cost effective.
- would it be squeaky and have vibrations into cabin?
I guess verdict we need to wait if someone with an Aston have tried both and if they can answer
- how is ride quality compared to oem bushes
- how hard is installation (cost of install of powerflex will vary on where each user is located in the world)
PorscheGirl said:
This is something that I'm looking at for Domino (V8VS with Ohlins and adjustable ARBs) . I had considering spherical bearings at the front too but Ali Robertson has kindly suggested that it's best not to !
I would certainly agree with this on a road car. The sphericals are almost always metal on metal and the sound and vibration would be severe, although performance would be very good. There are polyurethane lined sphericals available, but not for the AM that I am aware of.Low price upper and lower Arm on EBay to test powerflex Bushes... without dismantle yours.
https://www.ebay.fr/itm/Aston-Martin-8D33-3084-AC-...
https://www.ebay.fr/itm/Aston-Martin-8D33-3084-AC-...
Few things re rubber vs poly.
Shore values are different between poly brands. Some brands are closer to rubber.
Just doing some can increase wear on remaining rubber bushes. Especially given they'll already be worn.
It's cheaper to replace with oe arms than strip and rebush old ones (typically).
You can get some harmonic resonance effects.
I've found superpro to be the best balance for nvh.
.
Shore values are different between poly brands. Some brands are closer to rubber.
Just doing some can increase wear on remaining rubber bushes. Especially given they'll already be worn.
It's cheaper to replace with oe arms than strip and rebush old ones (typically).
You can get some harmonic resonance effects.
I've found superpro to be the best balance for nvh.
.
I've just found out that my 2012 V12 Vantage has poly bushes. I don't know the make, but they're black, which - if they're Powerflex - means that they're the stiffest ones that they manufacture. All I can say to anyone who is thinking of trying them is that they produce a VERY firm ride. Not relaxing on any rough or uneven surface, particularly with the lightweight seats, which have less padding.
Spiker63 said:
I've just found out that my 2012 V12 Vantage has poly bushes. I don't know the make, but they're black, which - if they're Powerflex - means that they're the stiffest ones that they manufacture. All I can say to anyone who is thinking of trying them is that they produce a VERY firm ride. Not relaxing on any rough or uneven surface, particularly with the lightweight seats, which have less padding.
Spider do you think they were fitted from new or were they fitted by a previous owner?Graze
When I 'refreshed' my 2006 Vantage, I had to cut out the front lower rear arm suspension bolt as it had seized (Common problem).
Rather than buying 2 new lower arms, I bought x2 polybushes and fitted them myself.
It is a faff, as you have to get the old ones out (I used a drill and hacksaw to cut into the rubber and then outer metallic shell).
So, my car has got a mix of polybush and original rubber.
Can I tell the difference, absolutely no chance....
I read so many reviews on the pro's and con's, but to me it was the cost that drove my decision to fit polybush.
Rather than buying 2 new lower arms, I bought x2 polybushes and fitted them myself.
It is a faff, as you have to get the old ones out (I used a drill and hacksaw to cut into the rubber and then outer metallic shell).
So, my car has got a mix of polybush and original rubber.
Can I tell the difference, absolutely no chance....
I read so many reviews on the pro's and con's, but to me it was the cost that drove my decision to fit polybush.
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