Rear Axle Upper Arms Solid Rubber Bushes

[jeremy61]

Can any one tell me where I can source either solid rubber or better bushes for my Berlinetta? It has a 1972/3 MK 3 2000GT axle. It is due for an MOT and I need to replace them I have had 12 sets in the upper arms since I built it 21 years ago

[gaddbrose]

Re: Rear Axle Upper Arms Solid Rubber Bushes

Hi Jerry, you are treading a well worn and an unnecessary path, I suggest you go for the nylon/ polyester type bushes, which have become available in the last decade or so. You will only need to fit once, and to the axle end of the arms, otherwise, if you fit at both ends ,there will be no cushion to absorb the axle vibration and you will experience a lot of noise from the rear end. When fitted properly, they give a firmer ride, as the bushes are so much firmer than the rubber ones. I fitted some, years ago, and promptly was able to forget them. You should be able to get them at Stoneleigh in May, or ring up Europa specialist spares tel no. 0283 815609 regards Brian

[Dane_Rescueman]

Re: Rear Axle Upper Arms Solid Rubber Bushes

Hi jerry,

I replaced all my rear bushes with superflex.
They make a hard yellow one for the axle end and soft blue ones for the chassis end of the axle mounting arms.
Whilst the colours may be different now I have had no unusual vibrations since I fitted them in 1999.

[gaddbrose]

Re: Rear Axle Upper Arms Solid Rubber Bushes

Hi Jerry the comments made by Dane are interesting , because when I fitted mine, there were no alternatives or options. The only ones available in those dark days of the 1990\\\'s were black, a mixture of nylon and carbon and very firm, but they did last. regards Brian.

[Dane_Rescueman]

Re: Rear Axle Upper Arms Solid Rubber Bushes

Brian,
Were your bushes "Superflex" or Nylotron"?
I have used both. The Nylotron type appeared pretty hard and more difficult to insert. The Powerflex were more compliant and there was a difference between the colours. The blurb said that the Powerflex were polyurethane. The Nylotron are, as you say, constructed with Nylon. My car is off the road next month so I might take off some components and see how the soft bushes are wearing.
Are there any material scientists in the club? They might be able to help us with this subject.
Cheers,

[amalgamated users from prior forum]

Re: Rear Axle Upper Arms Solid Rubber Bushes

Message originally posted by: Derek Grimes
If you want the old solid rubber void bushes try OLDPARTSTORE www.oldpartstore.co.uk ay great yarmouth 01493 488342 I found them very helpful and prompt

[gaddbrose]

Re: Rear Axle Upper Arms Solid Rubber Bushes

Hi Gerry.. my bushes were Nylatron, a mixture of nylon and grahite. and were difficult to fit. This system works differently to the rubber bush suspension. When you think about it the rubber bush is bonded to the outer steel case and also to the central steel sleeve,and when the arm turns the resilient rubber is stretched, and then returns to the original position by virtue of its own elasticity, and contributes to the soft suspension. When the rubber bush breaks down, its usually because the bonding fails. Then the suspension has to rely purely on the shockers to keep control. With the nylon or superflex, the steel central bush rotates inside the 'plastic ' section, there is no elasticity component to soften the suspension or to break down. This makes for a firmer ride,but also adds to the rigidity of the back end. Berlinettas with the big 205 tyres have a tendancy to wander as the rear axle floated around, but I found that correctly fitted bushes stopped that. One point when fitting , make sure that the central steel sleeve protudes from the 'plastic by about .015",because when you tighten up, you need to clamp on the sleeve rather than the 'plastic'. Another point, we fitted the standard rubber bush at the front end of the arm, this absorbed the vibrations that came from the rear axle, how many times have I heard complaints about noisy axles after doing the bushes. Another tip to firm up the back if interested. The arms that run from axle to chassis are a U section, if you weld a piece of mild steel across the open end of the U , it becomes a square or box section , and is a lot stronger and more resistant to twist. Again it is another factor in making the suspension firmer, Please note that the bushes I fitted in about 1990 are still going strong. Give me a call if you want to discuss further. regards Brian.