Z4 SUSPENSION

[GuidoK]

You need a press to fit the bushes into the lollipops in any case.

Ok, I thought you found a brand that didn't need a press to push them in the lollypops.
Maybe the shore80A strongflex ones can be pushed in with a light hammerblow or a vise. From what I can see they have a hard insert and soft outside (so the reverse of the powerflex design). I don't have any experience with them though, but their other products are good quality (the pu is same quality as powerflex imho) for a low price. The difference with powerflex is that powerflex uses a stainless metal inside (if present, not on these bushings) and strongflex uses zincplated iron.
(Lately some powerflex bushings have become too expensive compared to strongflex imho)

 

[JINGLE]

Ok thanks, will mention the 3 arm puller method and see what he says (he may not be aware of this like you say)

Also, any recommendations on brands of bushes?
What's the difference of the 2 different types you mention, normal and poly? Sorry if it's a stupid question but just want to make sure I understand what I'm paying for lol

Thanks

 

[JINGLE]

Anybody?

 

[GuidoK]

What's the difference of the 2 different types you mention, normal and poly?

Polyurethane is a different kind of rubber.
Normal rubber bushings look like this:

They are made of (natural) black rubber vulcanized to an outer (and sometimes inner) metal shell. That shell is most of the times press fitted (so under a press with force) into the component of the car (subframe, chassis etc). To get them out can be a real pain if you don't have the specialized tools.
The black rubber deteriorates over both time and miles. It is not a very stable substance.
The rubber bushings work as a stretch kind of device. The inner (metal) part is connected to (for example) a control arm and the outer part is connected to the chassis. When the control arm moves (like up and down), it flexes the rubber (over and over again)

Polyurethane bushins look like this:

or this:

They are made of a special synthetic rubber (polyurethane), which does not deteriorate over time or by flexing (unless stressed too hard, then it tears).
They are more like a bearing, where 1 part moves and 1 parts is fixed. The inner part is fixed to (for example) the control arm and the outer part to the chassis. Between those parts it has to be lubricated! (It is usually supplied with copper grease). Sometimes people say they can make noise (squeeking); which is obviously the lack of lubrication. When properly lubricated and not stressed to extreme (racing) they last much longer than the stock bushings, and do not change roadhandling over time. The rubber does not age, so it keeps that fresh tight sense of control. You can get them in different stifnesses, where usually the softest stiffness (shore80A) is a little bit stiffer than stock, but not by a great amount.
Usually they are more easy to fit; many designs pop right in by hand.
You can regard them as a performance mod.


from the powerflex site:
http://www.powerflex.co.uk/road-series/why-pu

 

[Aeroadster]

Polyurethane is a different kind of rubber.
Normal rubber bushings look like this:

They are made of (natural) black rubber vulcanized to an outer (and sometimes inner) metal shell. That shell is most of the times press fitted (so under a press with force) into the component of the car (subframe, chassis etc). To get them out can be a real pain if you don't have the specialized tools.
The black rubber deteriorates over both time and miles. It is not a very stable substance.
The rubber bushings work as a stretch kind of device. The inner (metal) part is connected to (for example) a control arm and the outer part is connected to the chassis. When the control arm moves (like up and down), it flexes the rubber (over and over again)

Polyurethane bushins look like this:

or this:

They are made of a special synthetic rubber (polyurethane), which does not deteriorate over time or by flexing (unless stressed too hard, then it tears).
They are more like a bearing, where 1 part moves and 1 parts is fixed. The inner part is fixed to (for example) the control arm and the outer part to the chassis. Between those parts it has to be lubricated! (It is usually supplied with copper grease). Sometimes people say they can make noise (squeeking); which is obviously the lack of lubrication. When properly lubricated and not stressed to extreme (racing) they last much longer than the stock bushings, and do not change roadhandling over time. The rubber does not age, so it keeps that fresh tight sense of control. You can get them in different stifnesses, where usually the softest stiffness (shore80A) is a little bit stiffer than stock, but not by a great amount.
Usually they are more easy to fit; many designs pop right in by hand.
You can regard them as a performance mod.


from the powerflex site:
http://www.powerflex.co.uk/road-series/why-pu

GIVE THIS MAN A ROUND OF APPLAUSE!!!

Best explanation by far. Couldn't have explained it better!

 

[JINGLE]

Polyurethane is a different kind of rubber.
Normal rubber bushings look like this:

They are made of (natural) black rubber vulcanized to an outer (and sometimes inner) metal shell. That shell is most of the times press fitted (so under a press with force) into the component of the car (subframe, chassis etc). To get them out can be a real pain if you don't have the specialized tools.
The black rubber deteriorates over both time and miles. It is not a very stable substance.
The rubber bushings work as a stretch kind of device. The inner (metal) part is connected to (for example) a control arm and the outer part is connected to the chassis. When the control arm moves (like up and down), it flexes the rubber (over and over again)

Polyurethane bushins look like this:

or this:

They are made of a special synthetic rubber (polyurethane), which does not deteriorate over time or by flexing (unless stressed too hard, then it tears).
They are more like a bearing, where 1 part moves and 1 parts is fixed. The inner part is fixed to (for example) the control arm and the outer part to the chassis. Between those parts it has to be lubricated! (It is usually supplied with copper grease). Sometimes people say they can make noise (squeeking); which is obviously the lack of lubrication. When properly lubricated and not stressed to extreme (racing) they last much longer than the stock bushings, and do not change roadhandling over time. The rubber does not age, so it keeps that fresh tight sense of control. You can get them in different stifnesses, where usually the softest stiffness (shore80A) is a little bit stiffer than stock, but not by a great amount.
Usually they are more easy to fit; many designs pop right in by hand.
You can regard them as a performance mod.


from the powerflex site:
http://www.powerflex.co.uk/road-series/why-pu

GIVE THIS MAN A ROUND OF APPLAUSE!!!

Best explanation by far. Couldn't have explained it better!

agreed thanks so much, i now understand it fully

so now i want poly bushes (shore80A so there not too much stiffer than stock) and hopefully wont need a new wishbone set up?

if i just get the poly bushes, will i (my mechanic) be able to remove the old knackered bushes from the chassis? using the 3 arm puller method ive seen mentioned, and then just pop these in as a direct replacement then put it all back together? (in theory not needing the whole wishbone/bush set recommended from my mechanic therefore cheaper?)

thanks again you guys are awesome

 

[GuidoK]

Your mechanic will be able to get the bushings off the control arm in a jiffy (otherwise he's not worth the title of mechanic :lol: ), but it might be better to let him fit the preinstalled lollypops as you probably pay him by the hour:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-FRONT-LOWER-TRACK-CONTROL-ARM-REAR-POWERFLEX-BUSHES-FITTED-in-HOLDERS-/171231642082

That way he doesn't have to spend time getting the old ones out and new ones in the aluminium lollypops.
But you can always ask your mechanic what he thinks.

There are cheaper pre-fitted bushings than powerflex:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-Series-E46-M-SPORT-POLY-Front-Wishbone-Control-Arm-Rear-Bushes-Mounts-Bush-/261376383033
no experience though.

Be sure that your mechanic properly lubricates the bushings with copper grease (the moving part) if it hasn't been done already. (probably you get them with a small pouch of copper grease)

 

[JINGLE]

Your mechanic will be able to get the bushings off the control arm in a jiffy (otherwise he's not worth the title of mechanic :lol: ), but it might be better to let him fit the preinstalled lollypops as you probably pay him by the hour:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-E46-FRONT-LOWER-TRACK-CONTROL-ARM-REAR-POWERFLEX-BUSHES-FITTED-in-HOLDERS-/171231642082

That way he doesn't have to spend time getting the old ones out and new ones in the aluminium lollypops.
But you can always ask your mechanic what he thinks.

There are cheaper pre-fitted bushings than powerflex:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-Series-E46-M-SPORT-POLY-Front-Wishbone-Control-Arm-Rear-Bushes-Mounts-Bush-/261376383033
no experience though.

Be sure that your mechanic properly lubricates the bushings with copper grease (the moving part) if it hasn't been done already. (probably you get them with a small pouch of copper grease)

nice one!!! i will speak to him about this and see what he says, hopefully he agrees that this will be best and save me some money thanks again!!