Suspension bushes

[Impaler]

Powerflex has developed suspension bushes for the W202. Does anyone know whether they're any good?

 

[clive williams]

I put some powerflex bushes on an Audi 80 2.8E (wash your mouth out!!). THEY WERE BRILLIANT (but sods to fit). The handling improved immensely, it was as if there was a direct connection between the road and my hands on the steering. There was no waiting for the car to settle before it responded to input. It made the car much quicker and easier to drive on A and especially B roads

My advice - DO IT!

When fitting remember that they are not affected by grease and therefore liberal use makes fitting easier.

Clive

500E
320CDIT210

 

[Impaler]

I've read in an American hot-rodding mag that putting them in the freezer for a few hours makes them easier to fit. Did you do that?

 

[clive williams]

Impaler,

No I've not heard of that trick. I've fitted two sets of polybushes - one full set in a Range Rover and one front set in a Audi 80. The problems in fitting don't occur in fitting to the suspension component, its when you fit the component to the vehicle, by which time I would have thought the bush would have warmed up anyway.
Both sets of polybushes were of the type that you assemble. i.e. the bush is usually in two halves with a central steel/ss bearing bush. All you need to fit the bushes is a length of threaded rod, a large socket and a very thick washer that fits the diameter of the bush. This kit is the same as used for extracting the old bush so it good enough for the new bush. The grease is used to allow the new bush to slip in without damage as there can be a bit of friction on a dry bush in the metal housing.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[angus falconer]

Powerflex has developed suspension bushes for the W202. Does anyone know whether they're any good?

I once polybushed a Nissan 200SX using NISMO parts (that's Nissan's Motorsport division). Dramatic improvement in precision, increased road noise though.

I guess that's the trade off that the engineers are aware of when speccing the OE bushes.

If you've got a W202 by definition the bushes are at least 5.5 years old so changing them to anything (even standard ones) will make a difference.

 

[clive williams]

I once polybushed a Nissan 200SX using NISMO parts (that's Nissan's Motorsport division). Dramatic improvement in precision, increased road noise though.

.

With the poly bushes there are different grades of polyurethane denoted by their Shore hardness. The competion style bushes by people like Powerflex tend to give the best handling but because their Shore hardness is around 80-85 they transmit the road noise through the chassis. However, I used Powerflex bushes in the Audi and didn't notice any harshness at all. I've used Deflex bushes in the Range Rover of Shore hardness 80 and I not sure whether they transmit more road noise or not (and I don't really care) as the rest of the vehicle has been heavily modified . Polybush (the named company) actually do 'comfort' grade poly bushes of Shore hardness 70 but their range is almost exclusively for Landrovers.

On balance, I would have expected little if any increase in harshness on a multi linked Merc especially, as companys such as Rennsport sell fully rose jointed supensions for road use without too many complaints.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[angus falconer]

With the poly bushes there are different grades of polyurethane denoted by their Shore hardness. The competion style bushes by people like Powerflex tend to give the best handling but because their Shore hardness is around 80-85 they transmit the road noise through the chassis.
On balance, I would have expected little if any increase in harshness on a multi linked Merc especially, as companys such as Rennsport sell fully rose jointed supensions for road use without too many complaints.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

Good point - I would assume the NISMO bushes were at the top end of the Shore rating and would therefore transmit more road roar.

I also uprated the strut top mounts, springs, dampers at the same time. Later I did the wheels and tyres (looks were secondary to me, handling was primary).

In the end I created what would have been a great track day car - stability and directional change at speed were phenomenal. Then I reached 39, realised I lived in central London and was never going to go to a track and bought a Merc

 

[clive williams]

...... Later I did the wheels and tyres (looks were secondary to me, handling was primary).......

Why did you use polyurethane bushes as wheels and tyres?????? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[Jay Kilby]

on fitting Polly bushes boil some water and drop them in for a min or two this makes them easyer to fit

 

[philharve]

If you've got a W202 by definition the bushes are at least 5.5 years old so changing them to anything (even standard ones) will make a difference.

Hi Angus

My W202 is about 5.5yr old. How many bushes are there and how easy are they to replace. Need for special tools? Job best left to an Indie? How long does the job take?

REGARDS Phil

 

[philharve]

Update

I've either become fixated by a sound that has always been present or there is something up with the suspension on the front nearside wheel of my car. At least that's where it appears to originate.

There isn't a knocking, except when crashing through potholes or other road surface imperfections, it's more like a drumming which appears when travelling along most roads. Find a smooth bit of tarmac and the drumming disappears. I thought the drumming was some strange accoustic anomoly created by the radio but I've now ruled that out.

I've conducted a bounce test and the damper seems fine. Reading this thread, particularly the comments made by Angus Falconer, made me start to think about suspension bushes breaking up. The age of the car is about right for this kind of problem to start to appear.

I've replaced suspension bushes on previous cars and wonder if the task is roughly similar on a Mercedes-Benz? Do I fit genuine MB replacements or upgraded ones? Would it be best left to my Indie to undertake. My car will undergo an MOT within the next couple of months.

REGARDS Phil

 

[G MAN]

powerflex bushes

Following this thread with interest as I experience the same issues --w202 kompressor estate-- yet my enquiry to Powerflex is they have never produced bushes for Mercs!! What's the next best step to resolve the clunks & wobbles & Impaler, can you please clarify your info.
HNY to all

 

[mercmonkey]

if you look on powerflexes web site it would appear they have universal ones that could be used for the job

 

[bundy]

I've either become fixated by a sound that has always been present or there is something up with the suspension on the front nearside wheel of my car. At least that's where it appears to originate.

There isn't a knocking, except when crashing through potholes or other road surface imperfections, it's more like a drumming which appears when travelling along most roads. Find a smooth bit of tarmac and the drumming disappears. I thought the drumming was some strange accoustic anomoly created by the radio but I've now ruled that out.

I've conducted a bounce test and the damper seems fine. Reading this thread, particularly the comments made by Angus Falconer, made me start to think about suspension bushes breaking up. The age of the car is about right for this kind of problem to start to appear.

I've replaced suspension bushes on previous cars and wonder if the task is roughly similar on a Mercedes-Benz? Do I fit genuine MB replacements or upgraded ones? Would it be best left to my Indie to undertake. My car will undergo an MOT within the next couple of months.

REGARDS Phil

i would have a look at the front anti roll bar bushes & droplinks. these are famouse for the sound you hear.
regards ted

 

[turnipsock]

if you look on powerflexes web site it would appear they have universal ones that could be used for the job

I couldn't see them on the Powflex site. I did find them in the Demon Tweeks book though.

 

[mercmonkey]

http://www.powerflex.co.uk/universalbush.asp

 

[clive williams]

poly bush tennis

Chaps, can we concentrate on one thread about suspension bushes as I'm getting neck ache switching between this thread and Mercmonkey's "suspension rebuild" thread?

I've put a couple of sites on the other thread which may be of use. Look at the adjustable bush for the control arm of the C202.

Clive

500E
E320CDIT210

 

[philharve]

Hi All

In view of the comments expressed in this thread I'll ask my indie to check the condition of the bushes on my car. Presummably they have a definite service life measured either in years or miles travelled? Does any member know what that might be?

REGARDS Phil