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Pascal Samba Member
Joined: January 13, 2006 Posts: 825 Location: Fredericton, NB, Canada
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Posted: Mon Mar 13, 2017 4:32 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex suspension bushings |
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avernon82 wrote: |
So I installed an all powerflex front end (except for the sway bar) about 4000 miles ago. I've developed a groan in the front right corner.
Thinking about taking off the wheel and unbolting the A-arm to test if that's the culprit.
If it's groaning over bumps, will it groan if I unbolt it and move it by hand? Just want to figure out exactly what's groaning. Would be great if it was the sway bar! |
My upper control arm with redline cv grease developed a squeak after two summers. I had to change the upper ballpoint on one and I could get the upper control arm to squeak by hand. I keep them sprayed with fluid film which quiets them down. I'll regrease them when I need another front end alignment. _________________ '84 Westy - 2.2wbx, GT Torque-Biasing Differential
'91 EA Cabby |
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xoo00oox Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2010 Posts: 2672 Location: East Nassau, NY
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Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 6:35 am Post subject: Re: Powerflex suspension bushings |
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Christopher Schimke wrote: |
In an effort to provide the best quality, easiest to use/install parts that I know if, I have recently made the commitment to become a stocking dealer for Powerflex bushings. Since the upper control arm bushings are a very sour subject on the Vanagon, I concentrated my initial stocking order (expected to arrive any time now) on those and other various suspension bushings.
What I would like is to hear from you guys (and girls of course) at to what bushings you are most interested in. I can pretty well guess that the front upper control arm bushings will be at the top of people's lists, but include them anyway. I would like to get a good feel for what you want so that I can include them in my second stocking order so that they are readily available to you.
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Christopher,
I'm always very happy to be working with your products, can I suggest you maybe consider also offering the hardware for the suspension parts as well as the bushings? Maybe even a complete hardware kit for the 2wd and the Syncro sub-frame parts?
Andrew- |
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rowan Samba Member
Joined: March 18, 2007 Posts: 131 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 9:19 am Post subject: Re: Powerflex suspension bushings |
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Christopher Schimke wrote: |
In an effort to provide the best quality, easiest to use/install parts that I know if, I have recently made the commitment to become a stocking dealer for Powerflex bushings. Since the upper control arm bushings are a very sour subject on the Vanagon, I concentrated my initial stocking order (expected to arrive any time now) on those and other various suspension bushings.
What I would like is to hear from you guys (and girls of course) at to what bushings you are most interested in. I can pretty well guess that the front upper control arm bushings will be at the top of people's lists, but include them anyway. I would like to get a good feel for what you want so that I can include them in my second stocking order so that they are readily available to you.
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Christopher,
I would really like a complete rebuild kit for a Syncro. Not just bushing but also hardware. Basically everything except springs and shocks.
r _________________ Rowan
89 Syncro - Juniper Mackenzie
09 Honda Fit - Finnie
17 Ram ProMaster - John Hordle |
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Christopher Schimke Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005 Posts: 5375 Location: PNW
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Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 11:17 am Post subject: Re: Powerflex suspension bushings |
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uther wrote: |
Christopher Schimke wrote: |
In an effort to provide the best quality, easiest to use/install parts that I know if, I have recently made the commitment to become a stocking dealer for Powerflex bushings. Since the upper control arm bushings are a very sour subject on the Vanagon, I concentrated my initial stocking order (expected to arrive any time now) on those and other various suspension bushings.
What I would like is to hear from you guys (and girls of course) at to what bushings you are most interested in. I can pretty well guess that the front upper control arm bushings will be at the top of people's lists, but include them anyway. I would like to get a good feel for what you want so that I can include them in my second stocking order so that they are readily available to you.
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Christopher,
I would really like a complete rebuild kit for a Syncro. Not just bushing but also hardware. Basically everything except springs and shocks.
r |
I can definitely do that for you. Please shoot me an email about it. _________________ "Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)
*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected] |
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Christopher Schimke Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005 Posts: 5375 Location: PNW
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Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 11:42 am Post subject: Re: Powerflex suspension bushings |
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xoo00oox wrote: |
Christopher Schimke wrote: |
In an effort to provide the best quality, easiest to use/install parts that I know if, I have recently made the commitment to become a stocking dealer for Powerflex bushings. Since the upper control arm bushings are a very sour subject on the Vanagon, I concentrated my initial stocking order (expected to arrive any time now) on those and other various suspension bushings.
What I would like is to hear from you guys (and girls of course) at to what bushings you are most interested in. I can pretty well guess that the front upper control arm bushings will be at the top of people's lists, but include them anyway. I would like to get a good feel for what you want so that I can include them in my second stocking order so that they are readily available to you.
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Christopher,
I'm always very happy to be working with your products, can I suggest you maybe consider also offering the hardware for the suspension parts as well as the bushings? Maybe even a complete hardware kit for the 2wd and the Syncro sub-frame parts?
Andrew- |
Hi Andrew! Glad you like the parts. I do stock much of the associated mounting hardware that goes along with the bushings sets as well as Syncro subframe mounting hardware kits. They happen to be on a different page than the bushings (they are in the "Suspension Parts - Front Suspension Parts - Hardware section"), but I will add links in "Related Products" area below the product description to make it easier to find. _________________ "Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)
*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected] |
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xoo00oox Samba Member
Joined: February 11, 2010 Posts: 2672 Location: East Nassau, NY
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Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 7:22 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex suspension bushings |
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Christopher Schimke wrote: |
xoo00oox wrote: |
Christopher Schimke wrote: |
In an effort to provide the best quality, easiest to use/install parts that I know if, I have recently made the commitment to become a stocking dealer for Powerflex bushings. Since the upper control arm bushings are a very sour subject on the Vanagon, I concentrated my initial stocking order (expected to arrive any time now) on those and other various suspension bushings.
What I would like is to hear from you guys (and girls of course) at to what bushings you are most interested in. I can pretty well guess that the front upper control arm bushings will be at the top of people's lists, but include them anyway. I would like to get a good feel for what you want so that I can include them in my second stocking order so that they are readily available to you.
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Christopher,
I'm always very happy to be working with your products, can I suggest you maybe consider also offering the hardware for the suspension parts as well as the bushings? Maybe even a complete hardware kit for the 2wd and the Syncro sub-frame parts?
Andrew- |
Hi Andrew! Glad you like the parts. I do stock much of the associated mounting hardware that goes along with the bushings sets as well as Syncro subframe mounting hardware kits. They happen to be on a different page than the bushings (they are in the "Suspension Parts - Front Suspension Parts - Hardware section"), but I will add links in "Related Products" area below the product description to make it easier to find. |
I see the hardware for the suspension now, I'm still not seeing the subframe mounting hardware. Specifically, do you offer that caged nut piece that you insert into the frame for the rear mounting bolts for the front subframe? |
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512dude Samba Member
Joined: June 04, 2009 Posts: 51 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2017 4:59 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex suspension bushings |
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Just installed a set of front end Power Flex bushings from T3. The bushings went in easy and with the new grease you supplied I am expecting not to lubricate for 5-10 years.
I have a slightly different approach to placing the sway bar end bushings on using a floor jack and an upper hard stop that avoids the hammer and vice approach. I'll post something and link to it.
Thanks to Christopher at T3 for the great support, now to test drive! |
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broncoisl Samba Member
Joined: February 27, 2018 Posts: 24 Location: Iceland
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Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 6:05 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex suspension bushings |
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I'm installing powerflex bushings in the lower control arms on my westy. Can't find any instructions or technical data on how to assemble this.
I would have thought that the bushings should move freely with the arm in the body (shackle) and hinge on the tube clamped to the body (forming a bearing). But the tube is shorter than the bushings when installed in the arm see the photos. The bushings will obviously touch and rub with the body when I bolt this together.
Is this normal? Should I lubricate the end of the bushings?
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Christopher Schimke Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005 Posts: 5375 Location: PNW
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Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 9:27 am Post subject: Re: Powerflex suspension bushings |
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Yes, that is 100% normal. And absolutely, yes, you definitely need to lube the ends of the bushings LIBERALLY as well as lube the bushing where is slides into to arm and lube the inner bore really well before sliding in the sleeve.
The number one mistake that people make when installing these bushings is lack of lubrication. When installing any urethane bushings, keep in mind that you need to liberally lube every single surface that touches anything at all. In other words, if it touches air, it's okay to leave dry. but if it touches metal, other urethane, plastic, etc., it needs to be lubed really well. _________________ "Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)
*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected] |
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gchristensen Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2012 Posts: 84 Location: Sacramento Ca.
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Posted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 10:02 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex suspension bushings |
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These vehicles are old. I did not want just some so I bought the whole kit. Most of us are running on original bushings and they are trashed not from use but lack there of. _________________ Joining now is our new 1982 diesel. This is an ongoing project under construction. |
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VicVan Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2015 Posts: 1826 Location: Vancouver Island, BC
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Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2020 3:21 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex suspension bushings |
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Finally got around installing Powerflex on the front end (2WD 1990), along with new Moog upper ball joints (Thanks Chris).
A couple of tips/notes:
- Watch out when tightening the bolt on the drop-link, below the Lower Control Arm. The droplink rotated so much that the sway-bar to endling bushing popped out. Frustrating.
- I found that the amount of grease supplied was not enough. I'm sure it is when you know exactly how much to apply and you don't make mistakes. But for a DIY mechanic like me, you're not sure how much to put, and you end up repeting some tasks 2, 3, even 4 times (see above for an example). It's part of the learning curve, but every time I need to apply some more grease.
- The Youtube tutorial from James Akers really helped, as well as T3Technique's Youtube tutorial on the endlink to swaybar bushings. To install the new bushing halfway in the droplink, I cut the old bushing in half, like so:
You pop that in the droplink eye, and push the new bushing from the other side. No need for a vise, just stepping on it with your foot does it.
-Is there an orientation to the dropling to lower control arm bushings? It seems that one side is slightly taller than the other (left side on this photo):
_________________ '90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH) |
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Christopher Schimke Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005 Posts: 5375 Location: PNW
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Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2020 5:06 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex suspension bushings |
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VicVan wrote: |
-Is there an orientation to the dropling to lower control arm bushings? It seems that one side is slightly taller than the other (left side on this photo):
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Nope! Either way will work fine. _________________ "Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)
*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected] |
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VicVan Samba Member
Joined: July 01, 2015 Posts: 1826 Location: Vancouver Island, BC
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Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2020 10:29 am Post subject: Re: Powerflex suspension bushings |
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Thanks Chris. _________________ '90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH) |
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wesitarz Samba Member
Joined: August 20, 2012 Posts: 1477 Location: Victoria,B.C.Canada
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Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2020 7:28 am Post subject: Re: Powerflex suspension bushings |
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How do Powerflex bushings affect 'ride' compared to 30 year old rubber bushings? |
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Cdub! Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2017 Posts: 67 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2020 8:06 am Post subject: Re: Powerflex suspension bushings |
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Next to the EJ22 conversion, the powerflex suspension upgrade and T3 swaybar is the best upgrade to the van as it relates to drive ability and safety. Total game changer. Did springs and shocks to complement the powerflex. |
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Christopher Schimke Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2005 Posts: 5375 Location: PNW
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Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2020 2:52 pm Post subject: Re: Powerflex suspension bushings |
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wesitarz wrote: |
How do Powerflex bushings affect 'ride' compared to 30 year old rubber bushings? |
I should probably let others answer this, but most who know me know that I do try my best to give real world, honest advice.
Believe it or not, the Vanagon Powerflex bushings give a better ride quality than the stock replacement rubber bushings, better than other brands of urethane bushings, and much better than the suspension products that aren't using joints where the NVH (noise, harshness, vibration) is being dampened/controlled.
Keep in mind that polyurethane AND rubber can be formulated in all ranges of durometer (stiffness). This means that you can have rubber bushings that are stiffer than urethane bushings and you can have one urethane product being much softer than another. Powerflex has done a great job of finding that sweet spot of suspension location control and ride comfort. _________________ "Sometimes you have to build a box to think outside of." - Bruce (not Springsteen)
*Custom wheel hardware for Audi/VW, Porsche and Mercedes wheels - Urethane Suspension Bushings*
T3Technique.com or contact me at [email protected] |
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kguarnotta Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2004 Posts: 1160 Location: Woodstock, NH
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Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2020 11:36 am Post subject: Re: Powerflex suspension bushings |
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I've got an '86 syncro. a previous owner installed the poweflex bushings.
Everything seemed ok for a while (not sure how to compare handling, as this is my first vanagon). But the front end squeaks like crazy. I'm thinking that I may need to take things apart and re-lube them. I'm looking for tips on locating the squeak and lubing....
Not sure if this should be a new thread - but seems like it is related to this thread? _________________ -Kevin
Lincoln, MA
'86 Triple Knob Syncro w/EJ22
'78 Westy
'69 Single Cab
'65 Kombi - EZ-Camper |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10347 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2023 9:33 am Post subject: T3 UCA Powerflex grease choice |
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Hi folks.
Bought my T3 UCA "purple" bushings some years ago so assume the included grease is not to be used.
Of the greases shown below, which might be best for the T3 poly bushings? i.e. which offers the best water resistance and won't react (harm) the poly material over long term?
Moly Slip is "water proof" others show something like 'high water resistance'.
https://radd-cruisers.shoplightspeed.com/molyslip-grease-5971-454gtub.html
The Nitro Lube is really tacky. i.e. tackier than the Moly Slip.
https://www.nitrolube.com/products/grease/
Thanks,
Neil.
Christopher Schimke wrote: |
insyncro wrote: |
.....
I have had excellent results throughout drivelines and suspensions with:
Bel-Ray
Swepco
RedLine
Lucas Oil Red & Tacky |
I have no personal experience with any of the others listed, but Redline CV2 is a great alternative to the Bel-Ray.
Also, we are working on being able to provide the proper grease packets with the Powerflex products in the near future. This will eliminate any guesswork. |
_________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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skills@eurocarsplus Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007 Posts: 16803 Location: sticksville, ct.
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Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2023 10:12 am Post subject: Re: Powerflex suspension bushings |
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buy his bushing snot and be done with it. honestly, I won't use anything else now that I have used it _________________
gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
Jake Raby wrote: |
Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
Brian wrote: |
Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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do.dah Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2015 Posts: 427 Location: Washington
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Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2023 10:15 am Post subject: Re: Powerflex suspension bushings |
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X2 on bushing snot. I put that shit on everything... |
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