Technical Poly bushes

[abarth stabler]

Hi, as most of us have experienced one of the vehicles common faults- rear bushes. I was looking into poly bushing all around the car, found a kit on the strong flex website for 112 quid, I was just wondering what the difference in ride quality was like between the reds and yellows in terms of harshness and noise? What do you guys recommend? - Alex

 

[NUGGY]

Hi, as most of us have experienced one of the vehicles common faults- rear bushes. I was looking into poly bushing all around the car, found a kit on the strong flex website for 112 quid, I was just wondering what the difference in ride quality was like between the reds and yellows in terms of harshness and noise? What do you guys recommend? - Alex

I have fitted yellow bushes on the front arms they are very hard and squeak a lot especially in the wet, I'm going to change to the reds and I've also bought some red grease and will be putting plenty on, but the handling is much improved, hope this helps

 

[cc1]

I replaced my yellow Strongflex with Powerflex as the squeaking was annoying. The Powerflex are by far superior in quality.

 

[abarth stabler]

Yeah I imagine the power flex would be better quality as there is a considerable difference in price, I've got a knackered engine mount near the alternator currently and strong flex Is the only company I've found so far that produces an insert, is there any noticeable difference between engine mount bushes such as handling and noise?

 

[portland_bill]

Vehicle manufacturers use rubber bushes, not just on price, but they are an integral part of the ride quality. So don't discount original replacements. Many bushes are shaped to give more flex in some directions.

Plastic bushes, as this is what they are, will last longer a they are less susceptible to age deterioration. They will generally give a firmer ride, so handling may improve, but at the expense of noise and comfort.
Rubber bushes usually flex, but poly ones often do not, instead the moving component will turn in the bush. Many will squeak as a result.

My advice would be to get the softest you an find, as they will be closest to the flexibility of the original rubber, unless you intend to do any motorsport, where stiffer ones may suit better.

If replacement rubber ones are available, that may be the best solution.

 

[fingers99]

Yeah I imagine the power flex would be better quality as there is a considerable difference in price, I've got a knackered engine mount near the alternator currently and strong flex Is the only company I've found so far that produces an insert, is there any noticeable difference between engine mount bushes such as handling and noise?

Engine mounts shouldn't have much effect on handling except in the most extreme use -- I'm thinking drifting, which isn't exactly a Cento forte!

Others have reported that only the polybushing of the rear gearbox mount gives real unpleasantness in terms of NVH.

Still, the usual suspects (eurocarcare.net and Shop4Parts -- see member offers) seem to have the (OE) engine mounts in at very keen prices at the moment.

 

[Alfa Patch]

I had a red strongflex insert on the alternator side in my old cinq as my standard one had died. It is a bit louder but I have a suspicion that my old engine was pretty unbalanced anyway.

I'm not sure there's any particular advantage over a good standard item tbh

 

[abarth stabler]

i checked out both the websites you said but they only sell the other side, i need the one that you have to drop down in order to replace the alternator, its just crumbling away which i heard is also a common occurrence apparently. what is the discount rate with eurocarcare and shop4parts? i will bear them in mind as i have a lot of repairs to be done over the next few weeks

 

[fingers99]

Ring Big Mick (aka Fluffy the Impaler) at eurocarcare,net -- everything isn't on the site: probably never will be. See Member Offers for discounts. Last time I looked it was on a "depends how much you spend" basis with eurocarcare.net and a fixed rate for Shop4Parts, but only for donating members.

 

[Eklipze3k]

See Member Offers for discounts.

That's only for donated members I've got the reds on mine and would recommend them. Easy enough to fit, the hardest part was the rear trailing arms and getting the old ones out!

 

[DannyCento]

I have powerflex for the rear arms, very good. I have a red insert for the gearbox mount as the original one was worn, very harsh in terms of vibration at idle. If I ever have to replace mounts again I'll go with good quality standard rubber because I like the comfort

 

[blu73]

unto.pl sells belt side engine mounts.

you mean this one (assuming we are talking 1108cc and not an 899cc, but they sell the 899 one too)
http://www.unto.pl/lapa-poduszka-si...nto-1100-4674319146515031-46407194-p-344.html

Poly engine mounts do defo transmit much much more vibration from the engine to the chassis and makes a noticeable difference inside the car noise wise too. I would stick to oem mounts for the engine myself if i was you - softest poly suspension bushes are ok but again if you not trying to make it handle better etc oem stuff is better bet - they are all available on the site i linked - quite alot of users have used the site without any issues as well.

 

[ycming]

To be honest with front suspension bushes, just buy a new arm and keep the standard new bushes. They are not worth changing, in the sense that not many cento suffer from front bushes deteriorating.

For engine mounts, yes defo go for the strong flex insert, I run a full set of yellow, i don't think is that bad at all.

Ming

 

[fingers99]

To be honest with front suspension bushes, just buy a new arm and keep the standard new bushes. They are not worth changing, in the sense that not many cento suffer from front bushes deteriorating.

Or, if they do, the ball joints are usually fubar anyway. While it's quite possible to buy new bones and remove the new bushes, fit polyurethane ones, it seems a bit OTT.

 

[cartledge_uk]

I have a set of yellow stronglex here, i haven't put them in yet, but feeling them compared to other polybushes in my other cars i can 99.999999999% state they are too hard for the road. They will make the weak point the ball joints. And almost certainly induce premature wear

 

[abarth stabler]

I'm kinda stuck for ideas, my engine mount is fubar'd it's 60 odd quid on eBay for the standard mount which I can't currently afford or it's 5-14 days postage for the strongflex one from Poland, rang quite a few breakers but nobody seems to have a decent one, can hear the gearbox mount getting noisy too so need a quick replacement, interesting responses though, I guess it's more down to personal preference with pollys, the car is quite difficult to get into 1st gear, do you think this would be due to the engine and box sagging due I faulty mounts?

 

[cc1]

Other option is Sikaflex for <£10? The gear change problem could be the clutch problems?

 

[abarth stabler]

Just apply sicaflex to the engine mount? Got some left over from a previous job, should be a good temporary bodge until I can get a new part, when I replaced the alternator a few months ago the mount was a bit past it then, tightened it up as it had a similar problem with finding gears, must be because the gear linkages aren't aligning with the gearbox sagging down slightly

 

[fingers99]

Maybe. But if reverse is a tad difficult as well, points more to need to adjust the clutch cable. Generally cable operated gearboxes will put up with a lot of movement without issues (you suffer in terms of change quality over rod ones, though).

 

[abarth stabler]

Reverse has a bit of a crunch when selected so I will try adjusting the cable, do I just get somebody to press the clutch then tighten the cable where it attaches to the lever on the gearbox?