Suspension Bushes

[grumpytvr]

Hi all
It’s been quite a while since I posted, I’m afraid I’ve been lurking in the background, slowly stock piling spares.
I’m planning on taking my S2 off the road after the summer to do some long needed work including :

• Replacing the shocks and springs with Gaz units
• Having suspension components shot blasted and powder coated
• Replacing suspension bushes
• Overhauling brakes, including replacing all flexis with braided jobbies. New disks /pads / shoes etc. as necessary

The thing I’m not really sure about is whether to poly bush the suspension or replace like for like (if it’s possible) The car has done 96k so whatever happens they’ll probably need replacing. Has anyone uprated to poly bushes all round and if they have, have they noticed whether the suspension / ride is harder? The reason I ask is I don’t want to turn my S (which is mainly used on the road and maybe the odd track day - possibly) into something that might rattle my teeth out on a long journey! Your experiences good or bad appreciated please.

I’ve also managed to get some Ford alloy rocker covers (a couple of years ago) and was planning on fitting them but they don’t fit under the alternator bracket. Has anyone “modified” their alternator bracket in order to fit alloy rocker covers and if so how much “modification” was required? I’ve got a spare alternator bracket (thanks Norman) to perform a “cut and shut” on, I was just wondering if anyone else has done it before I get out the angle grinder!

[GreenV8S]

I fitted Superflex poly bushes on mine and judging by how squishy they were when fitting they're no harder than the original rubbers. The main advantage is that they cope with the exhaust heat much better. I've also fitted heat shields over the upper bushes (and engine mount etc) so this isn't critical.


ETA: the ride hasn't changed noticeably after fitting poly bushes either, but my suspension is rock hard anyway so that's not much of an endorsement.

Edited by GreenV8S on Tuesday 25th August 22:39

[ketvrin]

I'm also intending to replace the bushes and am considering poly-bushes... are there various grades of poly available for the S as like above I want road-use grade.
The Sprint article recently persuaded me to finally do it (Thanks Andrew) and I know Mark has some good info on his site but unless I'm missing something (possible ) I dont see the supplier or the kit part number... recommendations please

K

[magpies]

I've just purchased a set of polybushes for my S - they seemed very sqishy - much softer than the original rubber, I believe they firm up when squeezed into place. I cannot comment on how they handle as my S looks like this

Edited by magpies on Wednesday 26th August 10:22

[Gerald-TVR]

Is that Lucy's old chassis?

[Steve H]

sorry to hijack the thread but on those chassis pics which section is the "outrigger"?

I am new to these cars and am just beginning my research.

Cheers
Steve

[TJC46]

I too have gone down the poly bush route but on a chim not an s. Again cant comment on there performance as im still rebuilding. I can vouch for there ease to install and better still i had to remove the 2 no lower wishbones and bushes to remedy an oversight on my part and the new poly bushes just pushed out nice and easy. Imagine trying to do that with new rubber bushes. Polybushes are the way to go.

[gifdy]

Steve H said:

sorry to hijack the thread but on those chassis pics which section is the "outrigger"?

I am new to these cars and am just beginning my research.

Cheers
Steve

The long rails running lengthways down each side of the chassis (furthest ones out). Look to the end of the suspension wishbones (in red) and they are running upwards in the pic.

You'll rarely see them in this condition !

[gifdy]

Steve H said:

sorry to hijack the thread but on those chassis pics which section is the "outrigger"?

I am new to these cars and am just beginning my research.

Cheers
Steve

The long rails running lengthways down each side of the chassis (furthest ones out). Look to the end of the suspension wishbones (in red) and they are running upwards in the pic.

You'll rarely see them in this condition !

[ketvrin]

Steve H said:

sorry to hijack the thread but on those chassis pics which section is the "outrigger"?

I am new to these cars and am just beginning my research.

Cheers
Steve

they are the bright shiney bits in picture 4 of this advert

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1207680.htm

K

[grumpytvr]

Having had a quick look at lunch time I've found plenty of poly bushes and no rubber ones (that's not to say that they're unavailable) so its looking like my options may be limited anyway. Further investigation will tell...Still interesed to hear anyone's views on the pros and cons of either.

That's a nice shiney chassis Magpies. I wish I could say the same for mine!!

Nobody's put alloy rocker covers on their V6 then?

[Steve H]

ketvrin said:

Steve H said:

sorry to hijack the thread but on those chassis pics which section is the "outrigger"?

I am new to these cars and am just beginning my research.

Cheers
Steve

they are the bright shiney bits in picture 4 of this advert

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1207680.htm

K

Thanks you are a star!
Steve

[mep12345]

I did quite a lot of research on the poly v rubber when I went for poly bushes, I think the only really quantifiable difference was life, i.e. the poly should last longer and you can get stiffer poly if you need to. I bought a standard set from TVR Car Parts (as I could pick them up when I passed them each week) as prices did not vary and all suppliers seemed to get their stocks from superflex so only P&P made a difference.

My site has fitting instructions and highlights the pitfuls, as did the article I wrote for Sprint the other month.

It is really easy if you follow the routine I used

Mark

[ketvrin]

Credit where credit is due Mark... Your sprint article was great...

so, TVRcarparts eh ? I'll give them a bell...

what about grades ? everyone seems to say the poly ones they got were soft... are they all the same then ?

K

[lewis_sharman]

The bushes i got for the Chim seemed quite hard :s

[phillpot]

Think that unless you specifically specify you'll get "standard" road use bushes ( mine are red, don't know if that means anything?). Virtually everyone sells the same Superflex bushes, although I believe there are one or two other manufacturers, Price wise I shopped around and found "Motorsport World" slightly cheaper than others overall on full set, upper and lower wish bones and anti-roll bar mounts.

Ps, you'll never get alloy rocker covers to fit, but I'll take them out of your way save throwing them away

Edited by phillpot on Wednesday 26th August 20:39