TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Aug 27, 2010 8:07 am

Steering rack x4
Upper control arm x4

Thanks Loogy

Fri Aug 27, 2010 9:10 am

connorsvw2 wrote: I was looking at the Powerflex USA site at the UCA bushings yesterday. These appear to be a 3 piece arrangement with inner and outer stainless steel components separated by the poly insert, which is not sealed from the environment. Powerflex specify a special type of grease to be used, but once assembled that's all there is. Has anyone had any long term experience with these fittings? I'd buy them in a moment if I was sure they'd last longer/quieter than my lousy Meyle's which are both squeeking like mad (installed 10/09).

The stainless should obviate some of the rust (and squeeking) issues, but I am assuming they are not to be tack welded into place like the stockers? The designs looks like it would lend itself well to having a zerk fitting added to be able to replenish the grease at intervals...

The response from Powerflex was as I expected. The grease that they supply with the bushings has very good washout qualities, but for environments like the Vanagon front upper and rear control arm bushings where they are exposed to heavy saturation from water, they recommend using a marine grade blue grease that has a high washout resistance.

As for the zerk fitting, while they obviously claim that it won't hurt anything, in their experience the grease does not reach the "top hat" flange portion of the bushing enough to be effective.

The bushings and sleeves should last for the life of the vehicle with periodic cleaning and regreasing of the joint. "Periodic" would depend on the amount of miles that the van sees and the type of environment that it lives in. It will be different for everyone, but the upside is that the bushings are easily serviceable, something that can not be said about any of the other bushings on the market.

Thank you again to everyone who has offered their opinion, I really appreciate it.

Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:16 am

Chris, you and I had talked back and forth when I was redoing my front end. I opted to go stock, but had not yet replaced the rack bushings. The play I see from below would probably be the same with the stock replacements. So I am interested in the rack bushings as well. When I went to align my rear, the R/Outer bolt is seized, so I need to pull the trailing arms at some point, so I would be interested in the rear bushings as a test. I will watch for the feed back on the front as I wear out the stock stuff. Thank you for taking the bull by the horns. mark

Fri Aug 27, 2010 12:20 pm

1. price is a deciding factor in my decision making process (I'm still saving up for some of your wheel adapters).
2. I can't tell which items I'm most interested in, without some way to evaluate what needs to be replaced on my Vanagon... (maybe some instructions on how to test, or a list of the most common failure points would be good).
3. *** if these are polyurethane bushings, then I am reluctant to buy them. Polyurethane bushings have proven to have some very nasty behavior on German sports cars, after some use, and small aftermarket manf. folks have come up with 2 different types of bushings, plus remaking the original NLA rubber ones.

- Email me re this and I'll pass along some details on how to contact them - they might like to have a bigger market.

Sat Aug 28, 2010 7:42 am

You have an email, Randy.

Sat Aug 28, 2010 10:42 am

Hi Loogy, as with Randy's scenario .. what & how deep I get into these has a lot to do with pricing at this point. Also, as I am in Vancouver, BC & travel your way often; are you available for installing also? Please email me.
Thanks,
John

Sat Aug 28, 2010 11:42 am

I am down for the upper control arm bushings (4) and maybe a set of the steering rack bushings, depending on feedback from folks who've tried them.

Sat Aug 28, 2010 12:59 pm

Hi Loogy!!

I've tried on the post on the upper bushings to find some buddys to make a group buy for the upper powerflex bushings but nobody was interested:so I'm very glad you doing this with them.

I've ordered them through Brickwerks in UK and because he couldn't export,somebody else shipped them to me.

I'm very happy like Syncro Ghia said:it's very good stuff.

I've put the steering rack pinion ones,the sway bar,and the link pins eye.

I already had the link pin VW rubber washer new,so I didn't go for them:expensive.

I couldn't afford buying the upper bushings for the control arm,so depending on the price I'd like to order 4 of them (the set) I can get them in Germany @155€uros,so if you're lower than that,I'll go for them 8)

for the control arm,lower front and rear,I went Burley Motorsport.

Bye!! 8) 8)

Here are some pics of the stuff,copyied from the tpic about my van.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I worked on the urethane bushings from Powerflex.

Pull out then cut it .

I used some dish soap,you have to put the bottom first,then lock it with a prybar,nail puller,then pull the rod towards you while prying.Easy!!5 minutes.I couldn't find better,I lost 40 minutes on the first one,then found this idea,killer idea!!!
Here it is!!

I also did the steering rack

Old bushings were looking fine prior to removal

cleaning with copper fitting brush
shiny!
One of the washer was worn,and the rack and pinion body is aluminum!!!Cleaned them
flipped it,new life
I'm sure a wider washer would preserve them better,the back side of the bushing was looking in better condition.

I took a pair of arms to rebuild them with urethane bushings

drilling,reciprocating saw:I know how to be brutal!!!
Burley kit is waiting closely
3 little points on one side,to stop spinning?

this is not clean from factory
filled it down
cleaning old rubber remained
POR-15 paint:that stuff is great!!! :shock:

I don't have pics of the rear,but same idea as the front control arm:easy and good stuff these split bushings!! :o

Thu Sep 09, 2010 6:17 am

Loogy, do you actually have any of the bushings for sale or is this a wish list for now?

Jeff

Thu Sep 09, 2010 6:48 am

I have placed a huge order for the bushings, but they have not arrived yet. It's taking longer to get them from the UK than I had anticipated, but I have been assured that they are on their way. I will let you guys know just as soon as they arrive.

Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:41 am

Thanks!

I might go for a set too :wink:

Fri Oct 08, 2010 3:16 pm

loogy wrote: ... I will let you guys know just as soon as they arrive.
I didn't want this post to get too buried
I was wondering I you'd heard anything recent about the ETA of your order?

Fri Oct 08, 2010 3:25 pm

Quote: I have all of the bushings in stock except for the upper control arm and steering rack bushings. It's frustrating because these are probably going to be the most requested, but Powerflex UK is supposed to be shipping a whole bunch, "late this week". Hopefully that means that I will see them within the next 2-3 weeks. Fingers crossed, but no promises.
From this thread yesterday- http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=435113

Fri Oct 22, 2010 7:25 pm

82WestyMan wrote: loogy wrote: ... I will let you guys know just as soon as they arrive.
I didn't want this post to get too buried
I was wondering I you'd heard anything recent about the ETA of your order?

Just to let you guys know, I did receive the shipment of bushings (steering rack bushings included). A few of the bushing sets were pre sold and I still do not have the upper control arm bushings in stock yet (I had one set come in that was pre sold. The rest should be here fairly soon) I also sold a bunch to Kirk Meeks (North-Westy) so stock is somewhat limited. If you are interested in anything, please email me at [email protected] with a wish list and I will see how close I can come to making it happen. If I don't happen to have what you are looking for, I will be placing another large order very soon.

Sat Oct 23, 2010 1:14 am

I will be installing these on my syncro soon,

Sat Oct 23, 2010 4:20 am

If anyone wants them shipped form UK and cant wait for a bulk order , gimme a shout. :)

Sat Oct 23, 2010 10:47 am

I have to say, I'm proud to be one of the fist guys in the US with a set of Powerflex control arm bushings. Most of the time with something so small you can't really tell right off the bat that you're getting such a big improvement, but I started out with my van as a stock 1987 Westy Weekender. Super tall, decent shape. Swaped some springs to lower it a bit, still wasn't satisfied... Cut the springs and removed the rear spacers I had... Better... How about throwing on some Porsche 17" Twists? OK! New rear springs and cut fronts down a bit more... Way better but old struts are hurting and it's way too bouncy. How about some Koni's? Awesome! But the next thing that was needed was new control arm bushings. The rights were starting to hurt a little bit, but the lefts were fine... Fine, meaning they were oem, and as good as oem can be... Hey Loogy! HELP!

Loogy to the rescue:

All I can say is that I've had them for about a week now and I am stoked! The ride quality is quite a bit quieter, and quite a bit smoother. It's a pretty noticable change from the OE bushings that I had on the van. With my van being as low as it is, I already feel a fair amount of road vibrations and all the little bumps and cracks in the road. Do I still feel them? Yes. But I was very impressed with how well the Powerflex setup damped the vibrations and bumps and such. The added ride quality is huge in my opinion, and was even noticed within the first 5 minutes of having my friend Katie in the car with me a few days later (she things my van is typically uncomfortable and super bumpy, but still the most awesome thing ever all at the same time).

With only a week on the new bushings, I obviously can't give a long term review as of yet, but I will tell you that I'm hoping these will be the perfect long term solution to squeaky control arm bushings that only last a few thousand miles...

So, am I pleased? Nope, I'm freaking stoked!

Would I recommend these to anyone else? Not just anyone, but everyone that owns a Vanagon! Hell, I'm now thinking about replacing every bushing on my van with these as well as on my Mk1 Rabbit.

After all the drama this summer with Les Schwab, prematurely worn out tires due to bad alignment and them scratching my wheels, being back on the stock wheels for the entire summer was kind of a bummer. But with the Big Red brakes soon to be installed and the Twists back on the Garry Wagon, I am super stoked!

Big ups, and thanks again to Chris!

Take a little gander:

Sat Oct 23, 2010 10:53 am

Are all of the bushings the funky colors?
I prefer my suspension parts to look stock but perform better than stock- sleeper style.

Sat Oct 23, 2010 3:17 pm

yes they are @ powerflex.
Burley has some black ones just for the lower arms.

paint them black :lol:

Sat Oct 23, 2010 3:21 pm

syncrodoka wrote: Are all of the bushings the funky colors?
I prefer my suspension parts to look stock but perform better than stock- sleeper style.

Yeah, purple and yellow. Fancy! You could slather them in black grease.