POWERFLEX Bushes

[TVR Beaver]

Not done it... but thought it goes on the top tube not the exhaust... just by the back bush... shiny side facing the pipes to reflect the heat... that's what Id do ... may be tie wraps would be a little less detrimental to the paint (SS ones obviously)..

[spend]

I've not had any problems with poly bushes under coated manifolds Andy, sure they'll be fine as-is even if Cliffs shields take a while to arrive.

[TVR Beaver]

indeed.. would have thought a bit of tin would be a better plan...

[BliarOut]

One of us has gravely misunderstood how it fits, mine's attached to the chassis using the supplied jubilee clip

I'll take a pic if you want but it's kinda like a cloak over the upper rear bush.

[spend]

Only difference is mine are the harder Superflex red, but they have been on (slightly) longer than the coated manifolds.

If the Powerflex are more susceptible to heat than the Superflex the steel heatshields should give you added protection eventually IYSWIM.

[Johno]

First set melted under under uncoated manifolds in hardly any time . . . this simple but of blanket has stopped it happening in more than 5k.

Heat shields which are connected to the top wish bone bolt seem to me to act as a radiator, they get heated up by the exhaust and also direct the heat the centre of the bush/bolt. I know the blanket may look a little naff and bodged, but it works and I've no issue over it trapping water, it's next to the manifold !

[Colin RedGriff]

I didn't bother with the supplied heat shield. Just went straight for Clive's SS jobs thought them a much nicer/better solution.

[Johno]

I can understand that Quinny and I agree, I don't like it. However it works and perhaps adding the material to the heatshields will work even better. But I do 10k a year and getting through 3 sets of rear upper wishbone bushes a year isn't fun when you're in the middle of the Alps and you find your wishbone isn't located like it should be and you've got 2k miles to go . .

I like the heat shield idea, I'm just far from convinced that I'm not just adding a material closer to the bush which will get equally as hot or at least a lot hotter than heat reflective material will do. Just cos something looks a lot better/nicer doesn't mean it's a greater technical solution.

For me Spend's answer is the correct one, camcoated manifolds and then I may go for the heat shields, but with an element that is designed to reflect the heat as well, not just deflect some, but also absorb some as this doesn't seem solve the problem for me.

I have considered just going for bearings for the wishbones, but that's a very extreme solution. I think I'll go for the manifolds first

Edited by Johno on Sunday 7th March 21:53

[Johno]

Quinny said:

Got to say Johno my OCD wouldn't allow that

On the subject of OCD . . . You wouldn't believe the lengths I've gone to over the last week to improve the boot hinges of all things. . . I'm getting worse as I'm getting older. With an impending re-spray, rather than letting any body shop actually strip the car, I'm completely stripping every fastener that could possibly get sprayed over the top of and replacing it, every item from the boot solenoid (2 screws), boot lock, boot hingers (which had to be re powder coated matt black and then hinges polished with the arms re-made in ally which I then had to polish to mirror finish), all fasteners changed for SS, door locks out, couresty switch, lock cathes, doors stripped etc etc . . it just goes on and on . .

However, better than factory when it's finished. . .

[spend]

I think you're making the insulation over complicated chaps just the steel deflector will cut down the radiated heat when the manifolds glow, the convected / conducted stuff shouldn't really worry the bush material?

Since the ceramic coating cuts down a lot of the methods heat emission from the manifolds I'd guess its sufficient. Its hard to work out from what folks post, but I can't recall anyone having problems with the harder shore superflex bushes anyway - don't know if the softer ones (blue/purple) or Powerflex are more susceptible though.

I'd certainly stick rose joints on mine if I had to replace the poly bushes, I don't really see the better location being any hindrance to comfort Johnno? It's only like losing compliance with bigger wheels - you just dial it back into the springs & dampers..