4g rear upper wishbone poly bushes

Post by **Vtecmec** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 1:32 pm

The central pivot 'sleeve' on the OEM bushes stays where it is when tighetened up, and the rubber flexes around this to allow for the required movement. This is why the bushes should only be tightened when the car is off the jacks and sat at it's normal level.

The central sleeve on the poly's also stays where it is, but the poly rotates around it to allow for the movement. This is why you can tighten the poly bushes with the car in the air and they will settle into position when the car is lowered.

Post by **vanzep** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 1:34 pm

thanks - that explains it vey well

pity that they have to be regreased every year - this means you would have to take the wishbones off and remove the es bushes grease them and then put it all back together on the car - what a pain

I think i will go back to oem bushes when the time comes - just my opinion

Post by **Thebusofwoe** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 1:38 pm

They also allow each component to move as it should without any rotational resistance, getting better suspension response without bush 'flex'

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 1:49 pm

vanzep wrote:thanks - that explains it vey well
pity that they have to be regreased every year - this means you would have to take the wishbones off and remove the es bushes grease them and then put it all back together on the car - what a pain
I think i will go back to oem bushes when the time comes - just my opinion

Some people say they just jet wash them once a year and then spray them with silicone lubricant?

Post by **vanzep** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 1:52 pm

that does sound a bit more doable

Angus · Post by **Angus** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 2:26 pm

What, jetwashing and spraying without removing?

Is this a thing that should be done for all poly bushes, re-lubing? All the lower rear bushes on mine were poly-ed up about 6 months ago.

Post by **Vtecmec** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 2:45 pm

Yes, if you don't regrease them regularly (say 12 months?) they will start to squeak, also without lube they will wear out quickly; or even worse, the pivot shaft will corrode and they will wear out really quickly!

mercutio · Post by **mercutio** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 6:22 pm

the red ones need regreasing regularly the black ones are impregnated so need less maintenance

Angus · Post by **Angus** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 6:36 pm

... and does this mean removing the through-bolts to regrease the innards of the bush - or can a chap get away with liberal application of silicone grease spray (i.e. without dismantling)?

Post by **Vtecmec** » Mon Nov 10, 2014 6:49 pm

I think really they will need dismantling, the lube supplied with poly bushes is really thick and sticky; anything that can be sprayed in there in-situ, will be much thinner, and also be liable to wash out quickly too.