poly bushes for panhard rods, are they worth it?

hello, who has fitted poly bushes to their panhard rods? any issues, any particular brand better than another?

from what i've read on here you cant just buy the standard bushes from suzuki it only complete rods they sell hence why im looking at poly bushes.

TIA
Tony

I had read that Superpro had caused issues with vibration (adding to wheel wobble issues ) so I went to Polybush and have been happy with the results, only 5k or so I can't report on wear.

Handling wise they are a non issue, so they must work well. My inner "Sainz" surfaces often and I love a thrash through tight and twisty bits.

When I change direction I can feel the flex in the sidewall of the tyre, there is no slap or bang as weight moves from one side to the other.....

sniper

Ive had floflex and superpro. The floflex were softer, but only slightly. Both seem to last well with no undue effects on driving.

On the radius arms ive gone back to stock rubber for more comfort however :laugh:

Thanks. I was only going for poly in the panhard as I couldnt find standard rubber anywhere.

From your experience guys, how much harsher are poly bushes in the radius arms?


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that makes sense. Fitting the polybushes in the panhards makes little to no difference in reality.

The radius arms with poly bushes is a bit more obvious. Its mainly road noise and vibrations. much more noticeable difference off-road. More steering feel, but more shaking as well.

Some subscribe to the theory that polybushes limit the flex of the vehicle, compared to rubber. I never found a problem with either really. Ultimate flex is best achieved with 'Johnny joints' or 'Rose joints', but these are another level of harsh and seem to wear out fairly quickly compared to bushings. They are also noisy things so not for me!

With the panhard rod bushes, I found Super Pro to be too hard and promote death wobble. As soon as I swapped them with the orange ones from the Big Jimny shop the problem was solved.

I have Super Pro poly bushes everywhere else. They tighten up the ride on the road without being uncomfortable, so would suit Carlos Sainz, I mean Sniper. However, those who use them heavily off road, whilst not suffering from any loss of flex, have found that they can promote the radius arm mounts to tear away at either end if there is a slight weakness caused by the onset of corrosion.

The flip side is that poly bushes last much longer than rubberlastic ones. So you pay your money and make your choice.

I'd say for a mostly road use Jimnjam, go poly all round but if you go off tarmac a lot then buy a press and get used to changing rubber ones!

Kirkynut

Define "off road a lot". I am up and down farm tracks multiple times a day and creeping about in fields too but, if it weren't for the clearance of ruts you could do most of it in a fiesta. Are you saying that polly would suit what i do or is rubber better?

Sorry for the thread jacking Ninecherries.

i fully agree with kirkynut plus do not forget that the diff has very soft metal and easy to tear in offroad . i change them every year

Lambert wrote: Define "off road a lot". I am up and down farm tracks multiple times a day and creeping about in fields too but, if it weren't for the clearance of ruts you could do most of it in a fiesta. Are you saying that polly would suit what i do or is rubber better?

Sorry for the thread jacking Ninecherries.

I mean lots of hard core flexing the suspension up stuff like Dave, Brett and the intrepid Green Lane Gang do, or at an off road pay and play site every weekend.

Having said that, if you're up and down farm tracks and catching the radius arm mounts on ruts and grounding them out you're going to weaken them and you don't want the bushes to be giving the mounts a hard time too.

So I think that I would use rubberlastic bushes from you're point of view for the longevity of the car.

I'd not seen anyone cause damage to their radius arm mounts when I fitted Super Pro poly bushes but I have now and it was suggested that they may be a cause for the failure, if not the only cause. Being bashed to hell and back is a major cause! Their firmness cannot help though.

Kirkynut

Cheers bud. I have so far only put 2 new bushes in in 8 years and while it may be close on ruts it doesn't catch. Also the handling is not at all baggy but actually quite civilised. Think I'll stick with what I have. Thank you.

No probs. Paint the radius arm mounts on the chassis and axles regularly to prevent rust from weakening them and causing them to tear away. You can't do much about metal fatigue though.

Radius arm mount guards no doubt help but only if you remove them, wash the mud out and paint the mount areas regularly. Otherwise they're mud traps that will encourage rust!

Kirkynut

Oh it gets looked after like that. Cleaned underneath every year prior to new waxoil and any surface corrosion is applied with inhibiting goo and paint too. It may be a losing battle but I ain't going quietly!