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The existing bushes have to be pressed out in the correct sequence. Once the first bush [the end with no flange] has been removed the other end can be pressed axially towards the end of the removed bush and then the second bush can be pressed out.
Trust I understand your query correctly and the logic makes sense.
Pressing the shaft out takes a few interesting spacers and fixture bits in the press, mostly to avoid putting undue pressure on the ends of the arms. As much as I love coming up with DIY solutions to problems like this, it's one of those times where taking the assembly to the local auto machine shop pays big dividends. It will take them minutes to remove/replace the bushings.
drnick on here of orangeRHD 928 86.5 with GTS/Strosek body and GTS running gear in Kiwi land (incidentally my best man) used the same guys for both upper and lower arms and ended up with buying the complete refurbished set from Mark Anderson. Think how the upper bushes work, then look at what these guys are selling and then think again if it will work... Just saying...
They don't do the lower arm bushes. And I will do them again. I'd sacrifice a few hours for better driving.
Scott,
Good attitude. The more we know about what works and what does not can only benefit the community as a whole. I am thinking of trying the Powerflex bushes with the same mindset. There have been significant improvements in material technology in recent years and doubtless all half decent companies working in this field will be trying to improve performance never mind replicate OEM performance. I like to keep an open mind as to the possibilities and whereas it is nice to have the assurance of previous experience someone somewhere has to be a bit of a "guineau pig" if we are to make progress.
I find it interesting that we can purchase rebuilt arms but not the OEM bushes to kit them with.
If it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you grab the critical dimensions of the parts where the bushings fit? These would be ID of the holes in the arms, depth of the holes in the arm (same as thickness of the end of the arm with the hole in it) and the diameter of the end of the control shaft where the bushing fits. I'm sure others have searched for replacement bushings before, but maybe it's worth another look. Lots of 'murican cars have had replaceable rubber bushings with steel inner and outer sleeves. Perhaps there's something close enough to fit with a tiny amount of work on the arms or the shafts.
Fred,
If the Poly bushes in the 928 make as much difference as they did in the M3 then I will be extremely happy. My wife drove the M3 a couple of days after I fitted the bushes and she actually made a comment when I got home that the M3 may need air in the tyres. I asked her why and she she said thought the car felt different. I then asked in what way and she said it felt softer over the bumps. It just felt, as I said before, more compliant but through the twisties it was a sharp as a tack. Turn in was amazing. The car responded so well to minor steering inputs and minor mid corner throttle adjustments.
Dr Bob,
Can do. I'll get to that later tonight.
Alex,
Not to be rude but I'm going to pay AU$300 for rubber bushes which offer no gain to me when I got the Poly ones for AU$110.
Fred,
If the Poly bushes in the 928 make as much difference as they did in the M3 then I will be extremely happy. My wife drove the M3 a couple of days after I fitted the bushes and she actually made a comment when I got home that the M3 may need air in the tyres. I asked her why and she she said thought the car felt different. I then asked in what way and she said it felt softer over the bumps. It just felt, as I said before, more compliant but through the twisties it was a sharp as a tack. Turn in was amazing. The car responded so well to minor steering inputs and minor mid corner throttle adjustments.
.
Scott,
The entire suspension system is potentially tired by now and the problem with these systems is that because they degrade progressively one tends not to notice the degradation unless and until one happens to drive an example that is fully refreshed. Be it rubber bushes, track rod ends or steering rack mounts the impact is cumulative. I suspect the lower A arm bushes are less vulnerable to degradation than the upper A arm bushes. I did the upper rear bushes last year and there was definitely some deformation. Ideally better to go thrugh the ob lot and do it once knowing it is good for another 20 plus years.
12-01-2017, 03:29 AM
Upper A Arm Bush Help Please (updated, driving experience)
