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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2996 Location: U.K Surrey

When I first fitted the bushes I could push the rear of the car sideways and there would be no body roll whatsoever and only flexing of the tyre wall.
The other day I did the same to my friends pulsar, which has also been powerflexed and it did the same. I then did it to my car and to my surprise there was lots of lateral movement as if the bushes had gone off!
I just spoke to Powerflex and I explained that when they were fitted 2004 I also put washers either side of the bushes and do about 5k a year and that the test was done with the same eibach springs and koni shocks, on full hard. I was informed that only in very hot countries may this happen and that they should last a lifetime.
I first noticed the rear end tramlining on the motorway after changing from Goodyear eagle f1's to Toyo proxy t1r's and put it down to the tyres having a harder/softer sidewall. My friends pulsar also has Toyo’s on it, so its not the tyre wall.
It was agreed that I will get the car on a ramp and repeat the test and video it and send it to him.
Has anyone else experienced this?
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x2 33 16v
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2996 Location: U.K Surrey

Update.
My friend came equipped with his HD camera that does HD video and we videoed the movement from the side and we discovered that the bushes in question are the panhard rod ones. I just spoke to powerflex who seemed more than happy to send replacements out once they have seen the video footage, which should be posted up later tonight.
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x2 33 16v
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2996 Location: U.K Surrey

ok guys and gals,
heres the video

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x2 33 16v
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Ian M · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 5:39 pm Post subject:

Al how hard were you pushing it to make it move like that?
Ive just been out and given mine a shove or two and I cant make it move that much.
And my old series 2 is running on (knackered out) standard rubber bushes.
I was going to powerflex it but not so sure now. Rolling Eyes

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Oggie · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 5:52 pm Post subject:

How was your car when the bushes were first fitted, I think they have either shrunk due to lack of grease and it looks quite rusty down there which may have an effect on silicone?.
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2996 Location: U.K Surrey

Not that hard, just rocking really.
Seriously, once you have powerflex'd your car you wont regret it, I too was put off by people saying it will squeak, no problems whatso ever.

Guest · Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 7:05 pm Post subject:

could the excessive side ways movement made worse by play in your rear wheel bearings?.

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2996 Location: U.K Surrey

Both rear wheel bearings were done 2 years ago and 1 was replaced before last mot due to failing and both were ok at last mot. My mot is due and checking them is part of my pre mot adjustments, along with adjustment of the hand brake ect ect.
I will have a look but i am sure i have rocked the car by the wheel in the past.
Thanks for the suggestion Smile

Just checked, there is a little play on the OS but you can clearly see lots of movement in that there bush Smile

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x2 33 16v
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2996 Location: U.K Surrey

I forgot to say that I emailed Powerflex on Friday night, I didn't get a reply today, I will call them tomorrow.
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x2 33 16v
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33bits · Posted: Tue Aug 24, 2010 8:35 pm Post subject:

Ive got a set of poly bushes for my sw, still sat on the shelf, i prob should fit the things really. Very Happy

I think i may have a duplicate set of lower arm poly bushes, ill look.
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155 sportpack
33 16v Sportwagon
33 Permanent 4
33 16v (for sale)
156 JTS sportwagon
contact me for any 33 parts. Alex, 07896-327708

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2996 Location: U.K Surrey

Alex, get them on asap.

I just called powerflex, they did reply to my emails but they were not getting delivered
(PFR1-111) Rear Beam Link Location Bush x2 being sent asap, should be with me in a week.
They looked at the video and agree there is movement there.
I asked if a lowered car, with more lateral force from the panhard rod would have an effect, they said no Smile

(PFF1-102) Front Inner Wishbone Bush x2 being sent asap, they didnt want the damaged ones back as a picture would suffice.

I think I will re-grease every 1- 2 years.

Hows that for customer service??
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x2 33 16v
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2996 Location: U.K Surrey

Got my bushes today, very impressed with the customer service from Powerflex and would recommend to anyone.
One thing i noticed is that there is no writing on the side of the bush Smile

I will fit ASAP, very pleased.
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x2 33 16v
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2996 Location: U.K Surrey

Ok very confused here.
When I first ordered my bushes I got the complete rear set and fitted them. I was so impressed I then bougth the complete front set and fitted them.

Today when I went to replace the rear bushes, the numbers on them were PFF1-102 instead of PFR1-111, low and behold the front ones were PFR1-111.They look the same, apart from the number, I confirmed the numbers on Powerflex's site. I wonder if there has been a number change since I bought mine, lol.

Anyway, what a PITA it was to fit these new rear ones with the 10mm slice in the middle, the little cut-outs have been removed and when you try to push in the sleeve there is no where for the air to go so it pushes the other side out, as the copper slip makes an airtight seal, as it is very tight Smile

.
Anyhow I got them in, wow back to how it should be and very happy, I will post up another vid tomorrow to show the difference. The only movement is the tyre wall once again, how it should be.

As for the fronts I went to fit the bushes today but didn't as they are still the same as the ones that are in there.

you can see the bush being pinched

When I undo the bolt you can see how short the bushes are.

This is why I have said to people to pack out the gap with washers that are the same size, or larger, than the bush.
I remembered I have a spare Front Inner Wishbone with original bush, its 53.5, assuming this is the beast

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x2 33 16v
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2996 Location: U.K Surrey

here is a vid of the new bushes in place

as you can see its back to how it should be

pmsl

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x2 33 16v
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2996 Location: U.K Surrey

Does anyone know where I can get some washers/spacers that are m12 with an OD of at least 53mm
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x2 33 16v
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john 33_16v · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 8:17 am Post subject:

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2996 Location: U.K Surrey

Thanks John,
I tried ebay, no joy, the largest I can find is 50mm Sad

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x2 33 16v
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johnboy · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 8:12 pm Post subject:

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2996 Location: U.K Surrey

Looks like i may have to get something made, A friends dad has access to a CNC machine, I am just waiting to see if he can do it and a cost Sad

What a PITA, 53 or 55mm washers shouldn't be that hard to find, I know of a truck place that i called and was told to pop down and ask the mechanics????
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x2 33 16v
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2996 Location: U.K Surrey

Truck place had 50mm only Sad

From Powerflex
52mm will be fine if the diameter of the bush is 53mm. There’s not enough material left of the bush to be able to fold over the washer
What is your address and I’ll get some sent?

impressed once again
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x2 33 16v
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BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2996 Location: U.K Surrey

Here is a pic of the spacers,

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x2 33 16v
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33bits · Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2011 11:03 pm Post subject:

Al, i have some spare poly bushes for the 33 and i think they have certain spacers & washers with them, if so there will be spares. Also i have lots of various poly bits for my 155, i know some of them are duplicates so there may be spare spacers there to, i'll look on friday for you.
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155 sportpack
33 16v Sportwagon
33 Permanent 4
33 16v (for sale)
156 JTS sportwagon
contact me for any 33 parts. Alex, 07896-327708

johnboy · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 8:47 am Post subject:

Hi chap
I could be interested in those Wink

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Alfa gt jtdm blackline
1990 S2 16v veloce sleeping!
2002 ts gtv the wifes now
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1999 freestyle superjet

BigAl · P4 Joined: 06 May 2003 Posts: 2996 Location: U.K Surrey

Alex, thanks for the offer but all is good.
Johnboy, you are more than welcome to them and I recomend them and that you get spacers made if not here is what will happen to the bushes

It will also upset your steering geometry without them, since fitting them I have noticed less tyre wear and less pulling to one side.
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x2 33 16v
pictures http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5203

johnboy · Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 11:12 am Post subject:

Cheers for the info chap Wink

_________________
WODA WE NEED? MORE POWER!!

Alfa gt jtdm blackline
1990 S2 16v veloce sleeping!
2002 ts gtv the wifes now
1997 seadoo gsx 800
1999 freestyle superjet