Powerflex - things to think about

[Simon Baxter]

The nose bush wasn't altered, it' was just a development part was sold before it was ready, it was a mistake.
Start to finish that bush took around 18 months from first prototype to us selling them.
We tried them on lots of vans, petrol and diesel and different evolutions of the bush from purple to yellow to red then yellow with voiding.
I have a box here of lots of prototype stuff that will never get used, things like purple gearbox mounts for the syncro and yellow track control arms bushes.
At the end of the day they are a modification, Powerflex products are mainly about firming things up. The T3 is a little unusual for Powerflex as they are trying to produce a product to suit everyone, from people who bimble along at 55 mph to people to drive like they stole it, of course they aren't going to suit everyone.
The idea behind me asking for these to be made was as an alternative to sh!te that was on the market at the time.
Most customer here don't notice any difference when fitting Powerflex, the only one they notice is the steering rack bushes, and to be fair they make a massive improvement to how the van drives.
The track control arm bushes being made in 2 pieces also makes a garage job do-able for the DIYer rolling around on his back on the drive.
There are known problems with rubber track control arm bushes creeping over time, this can't be said for Powerflex, they keep the arm in place where it's meant to be.

[CovKid]

Yep, it is a one fits all thing, varying mostly with the Shore (flexibility) ratings of the polyurethane. I believe the purple ones are around 90 whereas the yellow ones are much softer. There is scope for modifications but in the end it'll be down to production costs and any potential profitability. Be kinda interesting to drive a T25 with solid 90A Shore mounts though a grit your teeth job I reckon....

[shepster]

So the point of your original post was what?

You're not convinced of the advantage of fitting Powerflex bushes?

Don't fit 'em then!

Simples.

[Simon Baxter]

[CovKid]

You got shares in them? The point is fairly obvious if you actually take the time to read. They are not a default upgrade in every instance. I have already said I use them - I just don't use them everywhere for the reasons stated and some definately need further work before I'd consider fitting them and I gave my reasons in a measured way.

So the point of your original post was what?

You're not convinced of the advantage of fitting Powerflex bushes?

Don't fit 'em then!

Simples.

[Simon Baxter]

Out of interest, which bushes in your opinion need further work?

[shepster]

I don't have shares in them no, or any particular allegence to Simon for that matter.

I did read your posts, although I admit to not clicking on the links as I assumed they didn't refer to our vans.

I just thought It a little odd of all the genuinely shyte, ill fitting and downright useless kit on sale out there that you chose to pick something that had been developed and sold by someone that I think takes pride in getting stuff right and has been around for years with no, or very little, negative feedback as an example.

I've had them on my van for about 4yrs and all seems well at the moment, admittedly I haven't done my trailing arms so perhaps they may give me problems.

[CovKid]

Yes, I think you skipped over the point I was making but I'll try to make it clearer. Firstly, I have nothing whatsoever against polyurethane as a replacement for rubber, or indeed powerflex (or other brands) generally. In most instances you can, and probably should (if you can afford it) fit poly bushes whenever the rubber parts come up for renewal or you can at least get at them. The steering rack and anti-roll bar gains much from the upgrade. There are just certain areas where a lot more thought needs to go into the shape of them rather than simply trying to replicate the rubber ones. The material is different and the 'fit' needs to be exact.

Yes, you could take the rather simpler two-line viewpoint that you either choose to fit them or you don't (no offence) but this thread does say "things to think about" and I have highlighted with some care, the reason why I don't think they're always a good move. Poly replacements have actually been around since the 80s (in somewhat less tested grades of polyurethane from the States) when they started to become available for bugs and I've fitted several over the last 20 years to different cars. I've seen them wear out too - appreciably, and always at pivot points. Clearly wear is more likely in areas of high use but its the type of wear that concerns me. In many cases they didn't even last as long as their rubber counterparts. There clearly has to be a reason why this is the case and that guy has I think, nailed it.

I work with someone who specialises in track racing with ridiculously over-modded cars and we've looked at this very issue several times. Most track cars don't last more than a few years so any additional stiffening caused by crushed poly bushes on wishbones probably make no odds. They throw so much money at them anyway. However, its a different thing when you're fitting them to something that (hopefully) you intend to keep for much longer and ideally don't want to have to do again. He also says Pro bushes are better than powerflex on suspension pivot points for exactly the same reason. We can't get them for T25s so the only answer is to run them on a lathe to match the shape and ensure the dimensions are spot on.

Now, you could just dismiss my observation entirely, or you could suggest where you think he or I may be wrong. I'm keen to know - that was my point in raising this. Poweflex do seem to change their bushes slightly and it could be that the latest ones don't bind but its as well to check for reasonable movement on pivot points rather than just putting bushes in, tightening everything up and hoping for the best. It matters.

[shepster]

I can't be ar5ed reading all that, sorry.

I'm sure you're right.

[Simon Baxter]

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php/b ... powerflex/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Ian Hulley]

The Powerflex gearbox nose mount bushes are ace. (just measure yours BEFORE you order ) and so are the rack mounting bushes. These are a no-brainer when yours need changing.

[slippy8v]

track control arm bushes just saw Simon guide,looks like thats something else for the todo list,on the Komet and syncro

[clift_d]

Just a quick reminder that there's a Club 80-90 group buy set up with Brickwerks for Powerflex bushes - details are in the members forum here

[AdrianC]

Bushes. F@&£%"%*ing bushes. I am not having fun with bushes right now.

(Not the van, rear subframe on the 205...)