Polybush Quality

Al2O3 · Apr 30, 2019

Had the stereotypical jumpy front axle about 4 months ago and cured it with new panhard rod bushes. Used polybushes for the first time. It's starting to get a mild jump on again on way home tonight. So, I'm thinking you can get good and bad ones? Anyone know if there's a good quality make out there? It's not like you can get G suffix ones.

Al2O3 · Apr 30, 2019

These are the bushes I bought.
LINKY
Ordered them on Sunday 3rd Feb, so would have fitted them on the following Saturday, the 9th Feb. That's 11 weeks.

jamesmartin · Apr 30, 2019

Al2O3 said:
These are the bushes I bought.
LINKY
Ordered them on Sunday 3rd Feb, so would have fitted them on the following Saturday, the 9th Feb. That's 11 weeks.

you get good and bad with most parts including poly bushes even with the one brand, ive fitted a lot of britpart bushes odd ones failed very quick similar with other brands, is it those though if it is easy fix if not theres a good few more bushes to look at changing

Al2O3 · Apr 30, 2019

jamesmartin said:
you get good and bad with most parts including poly bushes even with the one brand, ive fitted a lot of britpart bushes odd ones failed very quick similar with other brands, is it those though if it is easy fix if not theres a good few more bushes to look at changing

To be honest, James, I got home late and just came in to get my tea. Didn't get underneath for yank about. So yes, could be something else. Symptoms felt similar, though a lot less harsh than before. One of the previous bushes (Britpart rubber) had come adrift from the inner metal tube. I'm just looking on the actual 'Polybush' website HERE and they are a lot more expensive at £20.22+VAT Would pay it though, if I knew they were going to last.

jamesmartin · Apr 30, 2019

Al2O3 said:
To be honest, James, I got home late and just came in to get my tea. Didn't get underneath for yank about. So yes, could be something else. Symptoms felt similar, though a lot less harsh than before. One of the previous bushes (Britpart rubber) had come adrift from the inner metal tube. I'm just looking on the actual 'Polybush' website HERE and they are a lot more expensive at £20.22+VAT Would pay it though, if I knew they were going to last.

original polybush last no longer imo , my point was whether you had bp or original parts an immediate fauilure is possible, and similar replacement would likely see the new have a reasonable life, with lr type mteal bushes i would use genuine or oe not cheap pattern of any brand

300bhp/ton · Apr 30, 2019

If it’s eating pan hard rod bushes, then something else may be up. A PAS leak on the drivers side bush can knacker it more quickly. But 4 months in I’d be looking for the cause not the symptom.

Al2O3 · Apr 30, 2019

300bhp/ton said:
If it’s eating pan hard rod bushes, then something else may be up. A PAS leak on the drivers side bush can knacker it more quickly. But 4 months in I’d be looking for the cause not the symptom.

Good point, but at the moment I'm thinking the cause is poor polybush quality. Though, TBH, I've not had a good look at other causes. Should get home a bit earlier tomorrow so will check it out.

jamesmartin said:
original polybush last no longer imo , my point was whether you had bp or original parts an immediate fauilure is possible, and similar replacement would likely see the new have a reasonable life, with lr type mteal bushes i would use genuine or oe not cheap pattern of any brand

Sounds like a good strategy cos I did by pattern metalastic ones initially, but one mushroomed over as I was fitting it. Don't have a press, so was tapping it in with a socket. When first one went belly up I took the lazy way out and got some polybushes.

jamesmartin · Apr 30, 2019

Al2O3 said:
Good point, but at the moment I'm thinking the cause is poor polybush quality. Though, TBH, I've not had a good look at other causes. Should get home a bit earlier tomorrow so will check it out.

Sounds like a good strategy cos I did by pattern metalastic ones initially, but one mushroomed over as I was fitting it. Don't have a press, so was tapping it in with a socket. When first one went belly up I took the lazy way out and got some polybushes.

i tend to fit polybushes helps customers change their own in future, its generally a good fix that offers a reasonable long term fix, but occasionally parts fail , get some one to rock it hard whilst you inspect the radius arms front/back etc

Al2O3 · Apr 30, 2019

jamesmartin said:
i tend to fit polybushes helps customers change their own in future, its generally a good fix that offers a reasonable long term fix, but occasionally parts fail , get some one to rock it hard whilst you inspect the radius arms front/back etc

Will do, James. Cheers.

callisr · Apr 30, 2019

I found my radius arm bush completely collapsed and there was no indication at all. I found it by accident, really.
I replaced the radius arm bushes both sides with Britpart poly ones and the handling is now taught and predictable.
I bought the kit last year but never got round to fitting them. I will now though!!

My point is, I didn’t realise how bad my steering / handling was until I fitted the poly bushes. Deffo check the radius arm bushes....

Rich

Brown · May 1, 2019

I put Superpro bushes on everything in the autumn of 2013 and they're still there. As far as I can tell wobbling by hand, they're still nice and tight. In addition, as I've said before, the biggest improvement in handling and the general 'feel' of driving was achieved by fitting new bearings on the steering swivels (Dec 2014). The old ones weren't loose, but they'd developed a 'notch' in the straight ahead position caused by the rollers indenting the bearing races.

I can't remember from your rebuild thread exactly what you've replaced on the front axle and suspension, but it's possibly worth having a bit of a blitz on all the parts that haven't been changed for a few years. My experience has been that slight wear on a number of components can add up to poor handling and because this comes on slowly, you tend to compensate for it. I've been pleasantly surprised at how well you can get a Land Rover to drive once everything has been renewed.

Colthebrummie · May 1, 2019

Having a landrover that drives well takes away all the fun of driving a landrover. I get a lot of satisfaction when friends say " Jesus Christ, how do you drive this thing?"

Col

discool · May 1, 2019

Colthebrummie said:
Having a landrover that drives well takes away all the fun of driving a landrover. I get a lot of satisfaction when friends say " Jesus Christ, how do you drive this thing?"

Col

And your answer is “ slowly” I hope

Al2O3 · May 1, 2019

Brown said:
I put Superpro bushes on everything in the autumn of 2013 and they're still there. As far as I can tell wobbling by hand, they're still nice and tight. In addition, as I've said before, the biggest improvement in handling and the general 'feel' of driving was achieved by fitting new bearings on the steering swivels (Dec 2014). The old ones weren't loose, but they'd developed a 'notch' in the straight ahead position caused by the rollers indenting the bearing races.

I can't remember from your rebuild thread exactly what you've replaced on the front axle and suspension, but it's possibly worth having a bit of a blitz on all the parts that haven't been changed for a few years. My experience has been that slight wear on a number of components can add up to poor handling and because this comes on slowly, you tend to compensate for it. I've been pleasantly surprised at how well you can get a Land Rover to drive once everything has been renewed.

Good to hear from you, Brown.
I didn't replace the wheel or swivel bearings during the rebuild, by did them last year. Then did panhard in Feb and, as you say, all was sweet. Feels like mild axle movement again. Mrs has just this second come in and she's had the Landy today, so I'm popping out to give bits a shake.

Al2O3 · May 5, 2019

Aye, been investigating this morning and both front radius arm bushes are up the spout.

Brown · May 6, 2019

Al2O3 said:
Aye, been investigating this morning and both front radius arm bushes are up the spout.

That's easily solved then. I find with Land Rovers that when problems develop they'e often pretty obvious. Worth changing the ones where the radius arms meet the chassis too whilst they're off, as they have to push against the momentum of the car under heavy braking and are worked quite hard.

Al2O3 · May 6, 2019

Brown said:
That's easily solved then. I find with Land Rovers that when problems develop they'e often pretty obvious. Worth changing the ones where the radius arms meet the chassis too whilst they're off, as they have to push against the momentum of the car under heavy braking and are worked quite hard.

Yes, I am Brown.
Those Superpro bushes are one hell of a price. I know, I know you get what you pay for.

I've opted for a set of Flo-Flex ones, axle and chassis ends. Weather permitting and if they turn up in time, I'll get them changed next weekend.

Brown · May 6, 2019

Al2O3 said:
Yes, I am Brown.
Those Superpro bushes are one hell of a price. I know, I know you get what you pay for.
I've opted for a set of Flo-Flex ones, axle and chassis ends. Weather permitting and if they turn up in time, I'll get them changed next weekend.

The Superpro kit was about £120 when I bought it. A quick Google tells me that they're over £200 now. But I've had over 5 years motoring out of them so far, so the annual depreciation is much more reasonable.

Al2O3 · May 6, 2019

Brown said:
The Superpro kit was about £120 when I bought it. A quick Google tells me that they're over £200 now. But I've had over 5 years motoring out of them so far, so the annual depreciation is much more reasonable.

On Paddocks a full Superpro kit is £224 and a full Flo-Flex is £208 I've bought just the Flo-Flex front radius arm kit for £34.95

mick 1986 · May 7, 2019

Al2O3 said:
On Paddocks a full Superpro kit is £224 and a full Flo-Flex is £208 I've bought just the Flo-Flex front radius arm kit for £34.95

I have the Flo-Flex on mine. Been on for around 3 years now and no problems so far. If they need replacing, I wouldn’t hesitate to fit them again. I don’t remember the kit I bought being over £200 though, more like £150-180.

Polybush Quality

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