SUBFRAME BUSHES - poly or std ??

[Julian]

Originally Posted by lofty

Wouldn't electrolysis (or however you spell it) still be a problem in contact with steel?

I'm not sure, I suppose theoretically it would, but what about all the aluminium bits on the engine like the head, water pump, alternator etc - they're all bolted on with steel bolts to iron and steel bits and seem to be OK after 20+ years.

Pure aluminium forms its own oxide layer, that's why aluminium (baking) foil stays bright for donkey's years. Aluminium aircraft skin is commonly made from a product called alclad, (spelling?) it consists of dural - a structural grade aluminium with copper as the main alloying element protected by thin layers of pure aluminium rolled on using high pressure during the manufacturing process. It needs no protection - witness the American Airlines fuselages with large areas of bare metal.

[bambridge]

Pure aluminium forms its own oxide layer, that's why aluminium (baking) foil stays bright for donkey's years. Aluminium aircraft skin is commonly made from a product called alclad, (spelling?) it consists of dural - a structural grade aluminium with copper as the main alloying element protected by thin layers of pure aluminium rolled on using high pressure during the manufacturing process. It needs no protection - witness the American Airlines fuselages with large areas of bare metal.[/quote]

Good Point,
Looks like i will make sum Natural sub frame bushes as well then

Sorry for hijacking this tread, enough said!

[20vcqdriver]

I stuck with the OEM subframe and used powerflex wishbone mounts.
To be fair the OEM subframe bushes were a pig to re-fit as they seem pretty solid as standard. Poweflex wishbone bushes a definite improvement and can highly recommend..

[Michael Brown]

I had Superflex subframe mounts and wishbone bushes on a CQ.

There was a slight bit more road noise but I didn't notice it any more after a week or so. It was certainly not harsh, not even on coarse chip seal.

The handling was noticeably sharper and the turn in to corners was much keener.

Based on my experience I would recommend Superflex bushes.

[Julian]

Originally Posted by bambridge

Good Point,
Looks like i will make sum Natural sub frame bushes as well then

Sorry for hijacking this tread, enough said!

Not at all, it's interesting and relevant.

If I were turning up some mounts on my lathe I'd use commercial grade pure aluminium because:

a. It's cheap
b. It's dead easy to turn
c. It's naturally highly corrosion resistant
d. It's readily available from the likes of Metal Supermarkets

There's a huge amount of malony regarding material selection in the modification world - let's face it, subframe mounts turned up from a tough hardwood like keruing would last for 50 years and be easily strong enough.

I once spotted and advert for such and such a component (forget what now) made from tool steel. (sic) What on earth the motive was for this material selection was totally beyond me other than it sounds good, and the designer hadn't really a clue what he was up to so picked a steel that had some special properties (but not relevant to the application)

[justin_mk]

Thanks for views guys, I think I will try the Superflex poly subframe bushes but keep the std wishbone bushes for now and see how it feels. I've changed the subframe ones on a previous car and the Audi ones can be a right bitch to fit even with a proper press so hopefully worth it if just from a fitment point of view.

I'll give some feedback once I've got round to doing it. Cheers.

[beermonster]

Fitment of the Superflex poly bushes is a doddle.... once you have the old bushes out....

[20vcqdriver]

Originally Posted by beermonster

Fitment of the Superflex poly bushes is a doddle.... once you have the old bushes out....

Now that brings back some bad memories, cut fingers, bruising, burns. Doh?!

[Julian]

Burn the rubber out with gas and slit 95% of the way through the outer mount metal case with a hacksaw - a few whacks with a cold chisel and your away...

[Phil Payne]

Originally Posted by Julian

There's a huge amount of malony regarding material selection in the modification world - let's face it, subframe mounts turned up from a tough hardwood like keruing would last for 50 years and be easily strong enough.

What was the "performance" version of the Hillman Imp under the Sunbeam brand?

What I'm a little concerned about is that people are sometimes comparing 25-year-old rubber with poly, and that's a bit unfair on the stock system. Compare with brand new stock versions and the difference isn't so great.

I've known a lot of people say they wish they'd just replaced the stock rubber and not gone poly. One guy down Brentwood way a couple of years ago complained: "Plays old Harry with me piles".

I asked why he'd fitted them if he had piles. He said he hadn't had them until then ...