Powerflex front wishbone bushes?

[Cuiken]

In an ongoing hunt to find the source of a clunk in our van's suspension, I'm considering replacing the front wishbone bushes just to see if that will fix the clunk. Link to clunking thread below if you're interested:

https://www.t6forum.com/threads/clunk-clunk-clunk.48740/)

I've read a few positive reviews of the powerflex ones and, mechanically, they make sense to me. However, I'm curious if there are any downsides? Any change in comfort/road noise for example?

Cheers.

 

[Pewt]

No negatives i found......they even sharpened up the steering.

 

[n10n]

They are way harder than originals so you will feel the uneven surfaces much more.

 

[Niall.b]

no negatives either. definately noticed a positive difference in the steering too. i couldnt tell any noticeable increase in road noise either

 

[Phil Blackburn]

Fitted last week and only positive so far, steering felt sharper and didn’t notice any increase in road noise.

 

[cgtmiles]

I have been told the increase in handling is offset by the reduction in compliance. But you can’t have it all right!

 

[JB_T5.1]

No difference in compliance or hashness for me only improved feel of the steering.

 

[Lubrown]

While the van suspension in general isn’t ever goi to be the best I had Powerflex bushes on the fron wishbones and it was a positive move. As others have said they seemed to sharpen up steering but then my old ones were shafted so anything would have felt better.
Over two years in with them though and no regrets. Certainly no worse for comfort or noise in my mind. Any other bushes go and I’d definitely have powerflex fitted as a replacement/upgrade.

 

[Cuiken]

The local 'performance VW specialist' is telling me they don't tend to use poly bushes any longer (gone out of fashion?).

Maybe that s true for Golf GTIs but they do still seem to be getting a lot of love here.

I've read a few posts by @BognorMotors . Don't suppose you might be able to chime in on this? I'm thinking of going for the standard powerflex front lower arm bushes (both per side). Do you still recommend these and, curious, do you ever use the ones that include camber adjustment?

 

[BognorMotors]

They are a great upgrade, but specially if your old ones are worn. You will definitely feel an improvement of the factory bushes. We’ve used the camber adjustment on the rear, in fact we are fitting to our new demo van.

 

[Cuiken]

Well, that's an endorsement. Sound like camber on the front is not needed though.

Now I just need to find a local place competent to fit them....

 

[CRS Performance]

Well, that's an endorsement. Sound like camber on the front is not needed though.

Now I just need to find a local place competent to fit them....

The normal Powerflex bushes ( not the black series ) are approx 30 % stiffer than standard. They do sharpen the handling a little , but the improvement on old worn bushes is noticeable. Better tyre wear is a plus particularly if you have a powerful van and heavy right foot . You shouldn’t need the adjustable bushes unless you run very low , they help the rear alignment particularly as the rear tyres wear excessively when very low. They offer a 0.9 degree of additional adjustment. Need a decent alignment operator to get them set up nicely. we have seen some horror stories and If you don’t know of someone good, stick to the normal ones at sensible height , no problems .

 

[Lubrown]

Need a decent alignment operator to get them set up nicely.

When I had the bushes done on my they did a hunter four wheel alignment. It didn’t feel quite right to me so I took it back. The first technician just got the van details off the vin and went with whatever the computer told him. Second time around and a different chap - he went into the generic parameters the machine suggested with a view to alter the weight to correct for the camper conversion. I was able to give him the exact weight as I’d been to a weigh bridge at some point to check. Whether it was his altering of computer generated parameters or if he was just better with spanners, he got it set up very nicely. So definitely worth finding a decent operator (and maybe giving them an idea of weight if you have it?).

 

[Cuiken]

The place I use in Edinburgh is CLCM. Happy to recomend them for alignment services. Only place in Edinburgh that were able to sort my old VR6 (lowered).