Who thinks polyurethane bushes are the best
- Thread starter Emc
- Start date
Roscobbc
Moderator
Capt. - there was one specific brank of Poly bush that have all the issues........not sure if it even exists now......check back about 5 years plus on USA forums.......
CaptainK
CCCUK Member
That's what concerns me as I had mine done about 5 years back. They are "Energy Suspension" poly bushes. Fingers crossed they aren't the bad ones, but they still seem to be around now.
Roscobbc
Moderator
Looked back on CF forum in the 'states - it seems the issues with disintegrating poly bushes was a 'thing' about 7 or 8 years ago.
A few people had this occur perhaps a few years or so after purchase and installation - even bushes purchased and unused a few year were later showing signs of failure.
Not going to mention suppliers noted as it apeared the items were sourced from China and therefore reasonable to presume the Chinese manufacturers supplied multiple outlets in the 'States with effectively the same product.
I think its also reasonable to presume that poly bushes purchased in the last 5 or 6 years should be fine (unless old stock) - best advice for anyone with polybushes installed between 2005 and perhaps 2015 is to thoroughly inspect their vehicles for any deterioration of bushes.
A few people had this occur perhaps a few years or so after purchase and installation - even bushes purchased and unused a few year were later showing signs of failure.
Not going to mention suppliers noted as it apeared the items were sourced from China and therefore reasonable to presume the Chinese manufacturers supplied multiple outlets in the 'States with effectively the same product.
I think its also reasonable to presume that poly bushes purchased in the last 5 or 6 years should be fine (unless old stock) - best advice for anyone with polybushes installed between 2005 and perhaps 2015 is to thoroughly inspect their vehicles for any deterioration of bushes.
I have a new old stock set of adjustable rear strut rods with poly bushes, the bushes are failing as we speak.
I have a new old stock set of adjustable rear strut rods with poly bushes, the bushes are failing as we speak.
They are smart struts I believe
Forrest Gump
CCCUK regional rep
Here you go still in an unopened bag
Attachments
All the same, polyurethane bushes are just dangerous
Roscobbc
Moderator
I think you've said it all Gavin. The items you've shown (as you said) are 'new' old stock.........much like items bought from private punters at shows (like this coming Sunday's NSRA swap meet) it will be difficult to determine where and when they were manufactured and originally supplied........perhaps taking them back to the issues 'stateside' that were highlighted 15 years or so ago.
Unfortunately (and perhaps unlike many other service or replacement items supplied by car and/or OEM manufacturers) there is not always a 'recall' service available where details of product issues or failures are made publicly available by the supplier.
I am reminded of the stainless steel braiding covered rubber fuel tubing that was being supplied, probably about the same time as these poly bushes. Many people were using this tubing as part of an engine 'dress-up'. As I recall the tubing didn't have any USA/UK/EU marked standards and would often perish after only a few months use (worsened by fuel with ethanol content) - the stainless braiding 'hid' the perished rubber tubing and made the consequencial leaks all but invisible......only the smell and pools of gas collecting on top of the inlet manifold gave a clue.......and there were reports of fires..........
Thanks Gavin for high-lighting this potential issue with poly bushes.
CAN I URGE ALL CCCUK MEMBERS TO INSPECT TRAILING ARM BUSHES AND OTHER SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, ENGINE MOUNTS ETC FOR INDICATIONS OF DEGRADED POLYURATHANE BUSHES AND COMPONENTS (IF INSTALLED)
Poly bushes like the ones you have shown us ARE certainly dangerous IF they had been installed on your car - fortunately the ones you have shown us were not installed........but I'm sure many CCCUK members will testify that the poly bushes they have installed (whether recently - or perhaps a number of years ago) and will testify to be in perfectly good order.
Unfortunately (and perhaps unlike many other service or replacement items supplied by car and/or OEM manufacturers) there is not always a 'recall' service available where details of product issues or failures are made publicly available by the supplier.
I am reminded of the stainless steel braiding covered rubber fuel tubing that was being supplied, probably about the same time as these poly bushes. Many people were using this tubing as part of an engine 'dress-up'. As I recall the tubing didn't have any USA/UK/EU marked standards and would often perish after only a few months use (worsened by fuel with ethanol content) - the stainless braiding 'hid' the perished rubber tubing and made the consequencial leaks all but invisible......only the smell and pools of gas collecting on top of the inlet manifold gave a clue.......and there were reports of fires..........
Thanks Gavin for high-lighting this potential issue with poly bushes.
CAN I URGE ALL CCCUK MEMBERS TO INSPECT TRAILING ARM BUSHES AND OTHER SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, ENGINE MOUNTS ETC FOR INDICATIONS OF DEGRADED POLYURATHANE BUSHES AND COMPONENTS (IF INSTALLED)
Forrest Gump
CCCUK regional rep
Blimey, that’s quite a spectacular achievement by someone to manufacture a “performance” part that falls to pieces just sitting on the shelf!
Technically, Poly bushes should outperform rubber in many respects…… but obviously only if their material is to the correct specification.
I‘ve got “Energy” poly bushes in every location on my car, installed over twelve years ago, and with no problems at all. I had much of the suspension apart recently for spring changes and the bushes all look and feel exactly the same as when they went in. There was no need to change them, so proof they can last.
There will be some quite noticeable changes to the feel of the car, or some clonking if a bush is on its way out, be it poly or rubber, and an MOT should pick it up if the driver doesn’t anyway.