Poly Drag Link Bush fitting
Discussion
Having taken sound advice from here, I'm going to replace my drag link bushes with Poly ones in attempt to cure my brake judder.
Been waiting a few days for them to come, but they have now arrived
Can anyone help me with the following:
1) The poly bush looks like a top hat shape - which way round does it fit?
2) It comes with a washer (I think), where should it go?
3) Do I fit the old top hat bushes, or are these now surplus due to the shape of the new poly bush?
Cheers!
Nick
Been waiting a few days for them to come, but they have now arrived
Can anyone help me with the following:
1) The poly bush looks like a top hat shape - which way round does it fit?
2) It comes with a washer (I think), where should it go?
3) Do I fit the old top hat bushes, or are these now surplus due to the shape of the new poly bush?
Cheers!
Nick
The rim of 'top hat' on the Poly Bush should be facing the rear of the car. Then you put the 2 thick alloy washers one on each side of the bush. The link should then fit nice and tightly into the mounting bracket (I can't remember if it still has the 2 nylon washers up against the bush??)
JensenA said:
The rim of 'top hat' on the Poly Bush should be facing the rear of the car. Then you put the 2 thick alloy washers one on each side of the bush. The link should then fit nice and tightly into the mounting bracket (I can't remember if it still has the 2 nylon washers up against the bush??)
ThanksSo I re-fit the two thick washers that I took off from the old bush
The bush has only come with one new std thickness washer - the same size as the rim of the top hat. So I'm unclear where this goes...
vroom said:
JensenA said:
The rim of 'top hat' on the Poly Bush should be facing the rear of the car. Then you put the 2 thick alloy washers one on each side of the bush. The link should then fit nice and tightly into the mounting bracket (I can't remember if it still has the 2 nylon washers up against the bush??)
ThanksSo I re-fit the two thick washers that I took off from the old bush
The bush has only come with one new std thickness washer - the same size as the rim of the top hat. So I'm unclear where this goes...
JensenA said:
vroom said:
JensenA said:
The rim of 'top hat' on the Poly Bush should be facing the rear of the car. Then you put the 2 thick alloy washers one on each side of the bush. The link should then fit nice and tightly into the mounting bracket (I can't remember if it still has the 2 nylon washers up against the bush??)
ThanksSo I re-fit the two thick washers that I took off from the old bush
The bush has only come with one new std thickness washer - the same size as the rim of the top hat. So I'm unclear where this goes...
Just done the Offside - need to tidy up before it gets dark!!!
I paid 35ish inc delivery and new nyloc nuts from RG
Cheers
Nick
This gets complicated....
Racing Green do not supply the Powerflex unit so the instructions in this thread may not be applicable. Certainly with the Powerflex setup, the washer is a part of the bearing and should not be discarded. Without it, the inner sleeve is too long and the top hat simply slides up and down on the bush and cause brake judder amongst other things.
Look at this picture from my website and you will see what I mean.

Racing Green do not supply the Powerflex unit so the instructions in this thread may not be applicable. Certainly with the Powerflex setup, the washer is a part of the bearing and should not be discarded. Without it, the inner sleeve is too long and the top hat simply slides up and down on the bush and cause brake judder amongst other things.
Look at this picture from my website and you will see what I mean.

Edited by shpub on Thursday 29th July 21:13
Oh Blimey, what have I started 
Steve, you are 100% right, but the pair I bought from RG do not have the inner metal bush protruding from the Poly body
Basically you get the bush, with a 1mm 'ish' thick metal washer the same dia as the rim top hat part of the bush.
I have fitted the bush in the link, with rim of the top hat facing towards the drag link.
I then fitted the two existing metal top hat type bushes as per the original set-up and refitted into the bracket.
It is a very very snug fit with no room for the additional washer. I guess the washer can only be for brackets that are slightly wider.
I have not tightened anything up as yet as the nyloc nuts supplied are the wrong bloody size
You pays your money you makes your choice. The wrong one in my case


Steve, you are 100% right, but the pair I bought from RG do not have the inner metal bush protruding from the Poly body
Basically you get the bush, with a 1mm 'ish' thick metal washer the same dia as the rim top hat part of the bush.
I have fitted the bush in the link, with rim of the top hat facing towards the drag link.
I then fitted the two existing metal top hat type bushes as per the original set-up and refitted into the bracket.
It is a very very snug fit with no room for the additional washer. I guess the washer can only be for brackets that are slightly wider.
I have not tightened anything up as yet as the nyloc nuts supplied are the wrong bloody size

You pays your money you makes your choice. The wrong one in my case

skidoo said:
ive got the same as nick getting worried now
Dont panic!The fitment of the RG one is good imo. With the link fitted the holes line up perfectly and no sloppiness like there was with one I took out.
I just get paranoid when I have bits left over

I will have her back on the road sometime Sat, so I'll post to let you if there are any improvements or otherwise!
Slightly off topic but your brake judder may just be caused by a loose, bent or worn suspension bolt.
That was one of a number of things that contributed to my judder.
It's a pain going through them all but worthwhile if it solves your judder.
As for the PolyBushes ..... a job well worth doing.
That was one of a number of things that contributed to my judder.
It's a pain going through them all but worthwhile if it solves your judder.
As for the PolyBushes ..... a job well worth doing.
Just an update:
The Poly bushes are fitted and guess what - the brake judder has gone
I had no room for the additional washers so the bushes went is as per std - thick bit facing the rear
In terms of removal - the first one I drilled the rubber, knocked out the centre bush and the hacksawed a slot to knock out the outer bush.
Fitment - I used a threaded bar, nuts and washers to draw the new bush in, but I couldn't get it fully home as it protrudes out of each end. So I used the top tube on my axle stand (which is the same dia as the drag link) to pull it all in.
2nd bush - I set fire to the rubber with a blow lamp (2 mins) until the center bush fell out!
Top stuff - and ta fo all the advice suggesting I go this route first rather than fit new discs!!!
Waiting for the roads to dry so I can go for a proper drive
Nick
The Poly bushes are fitted and guess what - the brake judder has gone

I had no room for the additional washers so the bushes went is as per std - thick bit facing the rear
In terms of removal - the first one I drilled the rubber, knocked out the centre bush and the hacksawed a slot to knock out the outer bush.
Fitment - I used a threaded bar, nuts and washers to draw the new bush in, but I couldn't get it fully home as it protrudes out of each end. So I used the top tube on my axle stand (which is the same dia as the drag link) to pull it all in.
2nd bush - I set fire to the rubber with a blow lamp (2 mins) until the center bush fell out!
Top stuff - and ta fo all the advice suggesting I go this route first rather than fit new discs!!!
Waiting for the roads to dry so I can go for a proper drive

Nick
Edited by vroom on Saturday 31st July 10:25
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i just got my poly bushes today and was wondering the same thing why is there only one washer and which way round they go hope someone can clear this up i hope to fit them saturday and hopefully my judder will go too
