Bart-Jan

I would like to upgrade my front upper A arm bushes with polyurethane ones, but after investing my money on more important parts like MM's and head gaskets, I would like to do this on a budget. Companies like Powerflex, Polybush and Superflex have a huge range of affordable bushes, but nothing specially made for our beloved Sharks. However, if I give them the dimensions of the bushes I need, they'll probably come up with something that fits.

Questions are:
- What's the outer diameter of the metal bush of the OEM bushes (or inside diameter of the aluminium arms)?
- What's the diameter of the thread it's mounted to?
- What's the length of the bush, only measured from the one aluminium face to the other? (so that'll be the inner linear faces the bush will rest against the aluminium of the A arm)
- Are both bushes the same size?

I would like to measure them myself, but since my car is in The Netherlands and I'm in the UK for a while, it's sort of a problem.

When I found something that fits, I'll let you all know and pictures.

danglerb

I talked to a couple of the poly bushing places and they had ZERO interest, and didn't want any of their parts used outside of the intended application. Sounded like some kind of liability issue.

Hope this works out.

Randy V

Why do europeans call them 'bushes'?

A bush is a short dense foliage.

These are bushings!

Randy V

As I thought.

No reason, just misguidance.

Get it right, eurodudes!

awdmoke

It's a European car, so they're bushes in the aluminium arms!

I'm also interested as no-one stocks bushes for my '80 928S, and it could really do with a set. Buying used arms from the States is a costly exercise.

928 at last

(Please read the following with a British accent for full effect).

Are sadly misinformed. A short dense foliage is a shrubbery.

(With or without a path down the middle).

Ducman82

NI!

928 at last

We are no longer the knights who say "NI" we are now the knights who say .....never mind.....how would you spell that???

terry gt

and now for something compleatly diffrent ... Try 928 international for a bushing kit . I just did mine , very happy with the kit .

Bart-Jan

For the price of the 928 Int kit, I bought a complete set for all bushings for my BMW form Powerflex. I will take the risk of trying and testing something that wasn't originally intended for the Porsche but being a lot cheaper, I have no problems with that.
I have upgraded two cars with Powerflex and I'm really happy with the result. No noises but massively improved handling!

Randy V

Much better!

pjburges

If someone gives me dimensions of the bushings - I might be convinced to MAKE a small batch on my lathe. What do you want them in? Oilite Bronze, or Delrin?

danglerb

Polyurethane like all the aftermarket suspension stuff I would assume.

Can that be purchased in raw chunks, or just look for a larger common cheap part that could be machined down?

Bart-Jan

I agree, polyurethane would be best. It is not to difficult to make on a lathe. Have the raw material in the freezer overnight and cut deep and fast. That's how I once made bone plugs - yes, a plug that goes into a bone, where a screw can be mounted in in order to attach another bone or bracket for a Captain Hook 'Hook'. The material was biodegradable and just about as flexible as the polyurethane used for bushings. I will however first look for standard parts. Thanks!

pjburges

Well if anyone has one out - feel free to hit me up with dimensions and we can do poly as well- pretty sure my 928 needs upper bushings too.

Be advised poly has will have more creep than Delrin, and will suffer permanent deformation (to my knowledge - a materials guy may correct me if I'm wrong...)

Oilite bronze will transmit road noise - but with a zerK fitting to grease it will be indestructible and have nearly zero deflection.