Anyone got polyurethane bushes on a 996?
Discussion
markiii said:
which particular bushes are we talking about?
Front Anti-Roll Bar Bushes x 2 Track Control Arm Outer Bushes x 2
Track Control Arm Inner Bushes x 2
Track Control Arm Outer Bushes x 2
Track Control Arm Inner Bushes x 2
Rear Lower Link Arm Inner Bushes x 2
Rear Upper Link Arm Outer Bushes x 4
Rear Upper Link Arm Inner Bushes x 4
Rear Anti-Roll Bar Bushes x 2
Have the Powerflex set on a 996 GT2 CS. Put them on with a some other suspension upgrades (toe links, etc.) and geo setup, so I can't really single out their effect. Overall, extremely happy with the whole package. I think they're the right choice for mostly fast road and some track day use.
As an alternative view I'd think very hard about ever fitting poly bushes to a car after an experience I had a few years ago.
I've had them fitted for years to a number of cars but after a couple of years with them on my Evo VI (from new) I had a huge bang under braking from the passenger side. Car seemed to drive ok and an inspection showed nothing. After a month or so it became very vague.
The polybush had put a hairline crack in the metal around it on the inner mounting of the front lower arm. This had slowly opened out and fortunately it was found before it failed completely. I still have the Evo and its never given a problem with the normal bushes.
After this I'll not have aftermarket harder bushes fitted to either my Evo, Porsche or Lotus.
You'll probably be fine but please do give some consideration to the fact that what seems a simple change may cause unintended and potentially fatal consequences.
Regards
Fred
I've had them fitted for years to a number of cars but after a couple of years with them on my Evo VI (from new) I had a huge bang under braking from the passenger side. Car seemed to drive ok and an inspection showed nothing. After a month or so it became very vague.
The polybush had put a hairline crack in the metal around it on the inner mounting of the front lower arm. This had slowly opened out and fortunately it was found before it failed completely. I still have the Evo and its never given a problem with the normal bushes.
After this I'll not have aftermarket harder bushes fitted to either my Evo, Porsche or Lotus.
You'll probably be fine but please do give some consideration to the fact that what seems a simple change may cause unintended and potentially fatal consequences.
Regards
Fred
Pretty much all of my mk1 996 gt3 is poly bushed
Did have one rear toe link bush that totally crumbled; was a bad batch. Replaced and no further issues.
Other than that been perfect
Enhances the already predictable behaviour on track.
Don't drive it much on roads but not noticed any downsides really
Did have one rear toe link bush that totally crumbled; was a bad batch. Replaced and no further issues.
Other than that been perfect
Enhances the already predictable behaviour on track.
Don't drive it much on roads but not noticed any downsides really
I tried a bunch of polybushes and didn't notice anything. Other cars I've had them on I did get an improvement so underwhelmed would probably be the short summary.
IMHO pick important points (drop links, toe links and caster pucks would be three) and make these solid. Leave the rest alone or go solid too.
Poly is a waste of effort if your only aim is performance improvement.
It makes sense however if you are looking to deal with worn factory bushes. You can reuse your arms and save on cost.
What have you done to your car already and what are you looking to achieve going forward
On the 996, suspension or adjustable sway bars are first on the list..
If track days then suspension first, if fast road then bars first
After those it would be critical suspension areas with solid bushes to keep alignment values.
After that you are onto phase 2 and looking at significantly larger outlays, often diminishing returns and compromised road use ( perspective dependent of course lol)
All IMHO ofcourse.
IMHO pick important points (drop links, toe links and caster pucks would be three) and make these solid. Leave the rest alone or go solid too.
Poly is a waste of effort if your only aim is performance improvement.
It makes sense however if you are looking to deal with worn factory bushes. You can reuse your arms and save on cost.
What have you done to your car already and what are you looking to achieve going forward
On the 996, suspension or adjustable sway bars are first on the list..
If track days then suspension first, if fast road then bars first
After those it would be critical suspension areas with solid bushes to keep alignment values.
After that you are onto phase 2 and looking at significantly larger outlays, often diminishing returns and compromised road use ( perspective dependent of course lol)
All IMHO ofcourse.
Edited by fioran0 on Saturday 22 October 19:56
RDM said:
Are you thinking of doing this as a DIY, Barry?. If you are, what about a
"How-to-guide" with photos etc.
I feel a free workout coming on, and with questions like that you're going to end up holding the camera. I am barred from his wheels, after I chipped a caliper the last time."How-to-guide" with photos etc.
Angelus said:
RDM said:
Are you thinking of doing this as a DIY, Barry?. If you are, what about a
"How-to-guide" with photos etc.
I feel a free workout coming on, and with questions like that you're going to end up holding the camera. I am barred from his wheels, after I chipped a caliper the last time."How-to-guide" with photos etc.
Played around a lot on the 996 with the bushes, renewing all, and at one point I had some solid bushes in the rear - the track control arm and was glad to get them off to be honest. Solid bushes and poly are harder and so in consequence you get more rolling noise in the cabin and bumps in the road become harsher. Extra NVH - noise, vibration and harshness will quickly make you want to sell up in my experience but then I am an old git and don't do much tracking. Another view is that the oem rubber bushes on the 911 are very skinny and by that I mean the rubber section s very slim so really the advantage in moving to poly for this car is much lower than others, ie there is already minimal flex/slop/movement at the bushes. Having cut open some of the oem rubber bushes i would say as well that they are very well designed, eg the rear upper control arm bushes where these have spherical ball shapes inside the rubber molding. Having said all this I would probably go poly for the control arms, front and rear where the diagonal arm joins as I hear they help stability I hear.
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