Suspension bushes

[AlfaSpider]

I’m replacing the wishbone bushes on my S1 and I’m not sure whether to go for the original rubber bush or polybushes. If the polybushes are a lot stiffer than the rubber.
Also has anyone managed to source the rubber bushes for the damper eyelets, robush sell something that would fit but there quite expensive and need machining down.
Many thanks

[phillpot]

AlfaSpider said:

I’m not sure whether to go for the original rubber bush or polybushes. If the polybushes are a lot stiffer than the rubber.

There is so little rubber or polyurethane in those bushes that I seriously doubt there is a detectable difference?


No idea on the shocker bushes, what shocks have you got, the originals?

Edited by phillpot on Tuesday 5th June 09:11

[GreenV8S]

Poly bushes can be made to any stiffness requested. The ones I've seen sold for TVRs all seem to be relatively soft, and probably softer than the original rubber.

[TVRees]

I can get them made from PU in any hardness from 60ShoreA (soft) to 98ShoreA (hard).
Only for the front at the moment.
See one of my earlier posts.

[AlfaSpider]

phillpot said:

There is so little rubber or polyurethane in those bushes that I seriously doubt there is a detectable difference?


No idea on the shocker bushes, what shocks have you got, the originals?

Edited by phillpot on Tuesday 5th June 09:11

I’m fairly sure the fronts are original and rears aftermarket as they’ve got adjustable platforms. Ideally I guess it could do with a new set but I’ll try and get them serviced and bushes replaced.

I’ll go for the polybushes I’m sure as you say there is very little difference between the two.

[magpies]

The poly bushes I have on mine were much softer than the rubber ones

[tileart]

magpies said:

The poly bushes I have on mine were much softer than the rubber ones

Don't forget to check your spring values and damper rates. This is covered elsewhere (in the Suspension Wiki, but I don't know how to add to that).
Mine (S3) are: Springs: front 400 lb, rear 300 lb; Dampers (Avo adjustable): front 6 clicks from full hard, rear 8 clicks from full hard. In my opinion those values are not right for my kind of "leisure" driving (and yes I have replacement bushes too). A straw poll of other S1/2/3 owners now would be helpful for posterity.

Edited by tileart on Tuesday 5th June 23:16

[phillpot]

tileart said:

a straw poll of other S1/2/3 owners now would be helpful for posterity.

That's a good idea ..................... clicky

[Kitchski]

I use Powerflex on the S. It's true that they're no stiffer than the orignals. The advantage is that they're free-moving, as opposed to the bonded innards on the rubber ones.

[greymrj]

A related point but I trust Adrian Venn's experience and he does the rear trailing arms for us. He strongly advised not to use poly bushes there.

[AlfaSpider]

greymrj said:

A related point but I trust Adrian Venn's experience and he does the rear trailing arms for us. He strongly advised not to use poly bushes there.

I was intending to use polybushes at the rear as well, do you know what his reasoning was for not using them?

[phillpot]

greymrj said:

. He strongly advised not to use poly bushes there.

Oho, what impending doom is about to befall me and my poor little car?

[Kitchski]

Never had an issue with the Powerflex ones on the rear, though I suspect they won't last as long as the originals as they're pinched quite a bit, which might stress out the 'top-hat' design. Never actually had a problem, and they work really well. They also go in without a press!