wishbone bushes
Discussion
oktapod said:
Weird thing is that everyone I've ever spoken to suggests the Powerflex E46 bushes are dramatically better than the (fragile) BMW OEM ones... I'm going to do mine soon, so this is a decision I face also...
I had this in mind too but read a fair few reports saying the powerflex bushes have so little flex in them that it makes the feel horrible, so have decided to go with OEM bushes when they are worn out.8Tech said:
You can't go wrong with the Powerflex replacements. Why fit another set of OEM bushes when you are aware they do not last? They are soggy when new and need a press to fit unless you get them complete with holders.
All that wear they take will just move on to the next weakest link anyway, so stiffening them up will just wear the ball joint faster, and send more roughness into the shell of the car.BMW seem to have developed some pretty fancy trailing wishbone bushes on the E46 suspension, so not sure why you would ignore their engineers in this respect and just fit plastic in their place.
Now of course, if you know why BMW developed the oems the way they did, with the NVH/wear rates and kinematics of the suspension in mind, and know that powerflex do as well, and have somehow made an altogether superior product out of two halves of plastic, then do please share
PS, is the BMW price of ~ £105 for one bush, or the left and right pair?
Dave
Edited by Mr Whippy on Tuesday 2nd June 12:19
bazking69 said:
sniff diesel said:
bazking69 said:
My bushes sound like they are about ready for their annual replacement. Again.
How many track days do you do a year then?bazking69 said:
bazking69 said:
sniff diesel said:
bazking69 said:
My bushes sound like they are about ready for their annual replacement. Again.
How many track days do you do a year then?There are two from the looks of things, on the wishbone itself!? Both free of movement?
Dave
bazking69 said:
bazking69 said:
sniff diesel said:
bazking69 said:
My bushes sound like they are about ready for their annual replacement. Again.
How many track days do you do a year then?Almost definately not the arms, so I think I will be going down the route of drop links and D bushes as they are the cheap and easy option to start with.
Like you say, you can't always pick it up when the car is dangling in the air. I remember my old golf had a knock and everyone said the ARB bushes were OK. Replaced them anyway on the advice of a forum and guess what, knocking cured.
Like you say, you can't always pick it up when the car is dangling in the air. I remember my old golf had a knock and everyone said the ARB bushes were OK. Replaced them anyway on the advice of a forum and guess what, knocking cured.
Mr Whippy said:
8Tech said:
You can't go wrong with the Powerflex replacements. Why fit another set of OEM bushes when you are aware they do not last? They are soggy when new and need a press to fit unless you get them complete with holders.
All that wear they take will just move on to the next weakest link anyway, so stiffening them up will just wear the ball joint faster, and send more roughness into the shell of the car.BMW seem to have developed some pretty fancy trailing wishbone bushes on the E46 suspension, so not sure why you would ignore their engineers in this respect and just fit plastic in their place.
Now of course, if you know why BMW developed the oems the way they did, with the NVH/wear rates and kinematics of the suspension in mind, and know that powerflex do as well, and have somehow made an altogether superior product out of two halves of plastic, then do please share
PS, is the BMW price of ~ £105 for one bush, or the left and right pair?
Dave
Edited by Mr Whippy on Tuesday 2nd June 12:19
So the answer is YES, Powerflex HAVE made a superior product out of 2 pieces of plastic, and maybe you should check what you comment on as they are not manufactured in halves, and they last twice as long at least, transmit no more vibration or noise, and are less than half the price.
Probably the reason the BMW dealer technicians fit them to their own cars rather than get the oem ones cheap from work.
8Tech said:
Mr Whippy said:
8Tech said:
You can't go wrong with the Powerflex replacements. Why fit another set of OEM bushes when you are aware they do not last? They are soggy when new and need a press to fit unless you get them complete with holders.
All that wear they take will just move on to the next weakest link anyway, so stiffening them up will just wear the ball joint faster, and send more roughness into the shell of the car.BMW seem to have developed some pretty fancy trailing wishbone bushes on the E46 suspension, so not sure why you would ignore their engineers in this respect and just fit plastic in their place.
Now of course, if you know why BMW developed the oems the way they did, with the NVH/wear rates and kinematics of the suspension in mind, and know that powerflex do as well, and have somehow made an altogether superior product out of two halves of plastic, then do please share
PS, is the BMW price of ~ £105 for one bush, or the left and right pair?
Dave
Edited by Mr Whippy on Tuesday 2nd June 12:19
So the answer is YES, Powerflex HAVE made a superior product out of 2 pieces of plastic, and maybe you should check what you comment on as they are not manufactured in halves, and they last twice as long at least, transmit no more vibration or noise, and are less than half the price.
Probably the reason the BMW dealer technicians fit them to their own cars rather than get the oem ones cheap from work.
I'm sorry, but there must be some reason BMW used what they did, even if they were cheap (which they are not)... ie, why are they not solid rubber. Was NVH not a concern, deflection under force a consideration tuned into the suspension?
Why isn't every OEM just going to Powerflex, or why are OEM providers not just telling manufacturers that their polyurethane bushings are cheaper, harder wearing and superior.
There MUST be something in using rubber and rubber/oil combos, cost aside?!
Dave
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