The front wishbones on my tintop, a 2007 focus ST, are getting pretty worn. Normally I would just chuck a new set of genuine bones on to save any
hassle however for the ST they are £400+ for a pair which aint going to happen.
I can get standard replacement bushes (not genuine) or powerflex polybushes for the same sort of money.
Has anyone used polybushes on their daily driver? if so with what results. Focus forums have varying responses with some saying the ride is terrible,
others say they improved the car no end.
I have a spare set of wishbones to refurbish so no worries about having car off road while i get them sorted etc.
Which would you go for?
[Edited on 14/2/13 by sdh2903]
All I can say (Yellow) Powerflex bushes for Rover engine tie rods are much too hard I ended up drilling them full of holes to turn them into void bushes. They eventually made alternative bushes with a softer (Red) polymer but I am told they are only slightly better.
I have the standard Powerflex (purple) on my SEAT Toledo, and I've found them to be very good. When I first put them on it was like I'd just
bought the car off the showroom, everything was really tight and responsive. The ride wasn't even that harsh, although if you've ever driven
a SEAT you'll know they're regarded as a bit 'sporty' in terms of ride harshness. They were also cheaper than standard, and
apparently easier to fit. The standard bushes come with plastic or metal 'shells' that require pressing into the wishbone or swing arm.
Powerflex are all rubber, so only need a bit of grease and a bit of pressure to put them in. Some even came as a pair of 'top hats' which
didn't need any effort at all to fit.
However, I do now have a problem with the car, and opinions are that the powerflex bushes are potentially the issue. I've not confirmed that yet,
and I'm hoping it's not the case.
I would have no issues with buying them again though. Superflex are apparently better, but they're much more expensive (at least they were for
me)
Powerflex purple will be stiffer than worn out OE, but will not have the sure hardness of an original OE bush, Superflex will be much nearer the sure
hardness value of the original OE bush but probably not much cheaper if at all. In your case the Powerflex will be a cost effective alternative if you
can accept their short comings, principally not being as stiff as a new OE bush.
Some Powerflex are epdm a version of rubber and thus will degrade over time whereas Superflex ARE polyurethane and thus should NOT degrade over
time.
[Edited on 14/2/13 by chillis]
quote:
Originally posted by chillis
Powerflex purple will be stiffer than worn out OE, but will not have the sure hardness of an original OE bush, Superflex will be much nearer the sure hardness value of the original OE bush but probably not much cheaper if at all. In your case the Powerflex will be a cost effective alternative if you can accept their short comings, principally not being as stiff as a new OE bush.
Some Powerflex are epdm a version of rubber and thus will degrade over time whereas Superflex ARE polyurethane and thus should NOT degrade over time.
[Edited on 14/2/13 by chillis]
Doesn't seem to be any superflex ones listed for my car, looks like powerflex purples it is. I wasn't aware they weren't fully PU
though. As I have a spare set of bones I will give them a go and if they are too harsh I will flog em on.
Cheers
Steve