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New suspension bushes.
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 6:56 pm
by Brooksy
Hi
I want to replace the suspension bushes on my laser with the standard rubber ones and wondered if anyone had done the same and could suggest the best supplier? I see Tickover do some and but I also note Polyurethane bushes are a popular choice. However, I don't want to end up with a hard jittery ride and have more vibration transmitted into the cabin. I appreciate that there are for's and against's with both and am open to suggestions
Cheers.
Nige
Re: New suspension bushes.
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 8:14 pm
by Andrew 2.8i
Brooksy wrote: I see Tickover do some
Hi Nige,
Replacing the probably well aged bushes on your car is definitely a good idea. New ones will definitely firm the car up.
However, the problem with rubber bushes is that they aren't available to buy on their own. You can buy new front track control arms that will have new rubber bushes in, no problem. For the rear leaf spring bushes you will most probably have to buy the whole new spring sets in order to obtain those rubber bushes. As far as I'm aware, the rubber bushes for the front and rear anti roll bars aren't available to buy at all.
To cut a long story short, I would forget all about rubber bushes and buy a full set of Superflex poly bushes. You'll definitely notice an improvement in the feel of the car.
Why not meet up with another Capri owner who has fitted poly bushes on their car? You'll be able to see for yourself whether the ride is jittery or not. Then you'll be able to make a decision on whether the outlay is worth it. From memory, a full set of decent poly bushes (excluding the rear axle bumpstops) will be around £350.
Andrew.
Re: New suspension bushes.
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 8:33 pm
by Brooksy
Andrew 2.8i wrote:Brooksy wrote: I see Tickover do some
Hi Nige,
Replacing the probably well aged bushes on your car is definitely a good idea. New ones will definitely firm the car up.
Thanks for the advice and insight Andrew; I can see the practicality of replacing the bushes with polyurethane replacements.
Nige
Re: New suspension bushes.
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 8:38 pm
by Jasonmarie
I agree with what everybody is saying as do they need doing ? Also I think Tickover is cheaper then CCI if not a member ?
Re: New suspension bushes.
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 8:39 pm
by Andrew 2.8i
Brooksy wrote:Thanks for the advice and insight Andrew; I can see the practicality of replacing the bushes with polyurethane replacements.
Hello again Nige,
It's best to get opinions from various sources, so wait to see what others have to say.
On the subject of practicality, I will add that the poly bushes are very much "fit and forget", you won't have to worry about worn bushes on the MOT test! Another benefit is that they can be fitted yourself with regular tools, although the old rubber bushes in the leaf springs will most likely have to be pressed out with a hydraulic press.
Andrew.
Re: New suspension bushes.
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 8:50 pm
by Brooksy
Andrew 2.8i wrote:Brooksy wrote:Thanks for the advice and insight Andrew; I can see the practicality of replacing the bushes with polyurethane replacements.
Hello again Nige,
It's best to get opinions from various sources, so wait to see what others have to say.
Agree, informed decisions and all that.
Seriously considering already though but won't be rushing into it.
Nige
Re: New suspension bushes.
Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 9:17 am
by stevemarl
pm sent
Re: New suspension bushes.
Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 9:25 am
by pbar
Brooksy wrote:Hi
I want to replace the suspension bushes on my laser with the standard rubber ones
Personally, I would stick with the standard rubber replacements, as you were thinking. And they are available.
Re: New suspension bushes.
Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 10:49 am
by Brooksy
stevemarl wrote:pm sent
Cheers Steve. Good to know and great to have a balance of opinions.
Re: New suspension bushes.
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 7:19 am
by Andrew 2.8i
Hi Nige,
I've sent you a PM.
Andrew.
Re: New suspension bushes.
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 8:06 am
by nigecapri
I've used polies for decades and they do have the advantage of not needing replacement every few years. They also firm up the steering giving a much more precise reaction to your input. Some grease on the moving faces will prevent squeaking, some suppliers include it in the package - mine have never squeaked.
The inboard radius arm bushes need checking for the length of the inner crush-tube which if too long can allow the metal bush casing to move about & give wheel wobble (this also happens with rubber bushes.) I took a couple of mill off them both. Look up into it when fitted to see if any shiny metal is still visible.
Outer radius arm bushes which take the ARB are the ones needing plenty lube as there is a lot of twist going on all the time. The dished washers are fitted so you put the first one cupped over the end of the ARB and the other one so the nut sits in the cup.
Front Anti-Roll-Bar mounts - same as for those in the radius arms - plenty grease. These also help with braking stability as they greatly reduce the amount that the roll bar can pull backwards into them on heavy braking (and cornering.) Soft & worn rubber here along with dicky callipers can give very scary braking, weaving from side to side.
If your leaf spring bushes are o.k. then leave them alone, it's a huge job to swap them and they are the ones which will give most N.V.H. especially the forward ones.
Bump stops are a bit of a luxury in poly, I'd rather spend the money on chocolate!
Re: New suspension bushes.
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 11:11 am
by Brooksy
nigecapri wrote:I've used polies for decades and they do have the advantage of not needing replacement every few years. They also firm up the steering giving a much more precise reaction to your input. Some grease on the movin
g faces will prevent squeaking, some suppliers include it in the package - mine have never squeaked.
The inboard radius arm bushes need checking for the length of the inner crush-tube which if too long can allow the metal bush casing to move about & give wheel wobble (this also happens with rubber bushes.) I took a couple of mill off them both. Look up into it when fitted to see if any shiny metal is still visible.
Outer radius arm bushes which take the ARB are the ones needing plenty lube as there is a lot of twist going on all the time. The dished washers are fitted so you put the first one cupped over the end of the ARB and the other one so the nut sits in the cup.
Front Anti-Roll-Bar mounts - same as for those in the radius arms - plenty grease. These also help with braking stability as they greatly reduce the amount that the roll bar can pull backwards into them on heavy braking (and cornering.) Soft & worn rubber here along with dicky callipers can give very scary braking, weaving from side to side.
If your leaf spring bushes are o.k. then leave them alone, it's a huge job to swap them and they are the ones which will give most N.V.H. especially the forward ones.
Bump stops are a bit of a luxury in poly, I'd rather spend the money on chocolate!
Hi Nige
Thanks for your detailed message, very useful and I'll remember to check the points you mention.
Couldn't agree more on the chocolate front!
Cheers
Nige