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Gurjit
Guest
Can anyone share his experience using Powerflex Bushes on a Bravo/Brava?
Installation seems kinda complicated.
Cheers.
Installation seems kinda complicated.
Cheers.
Currently reading:
Powerflex Bushes
T
Tom
Guest
Thats an understatement. I refitted a lower arm with normal bushes and it was tough enough getting it to fit. I would not like to try with the powerflex ones.
For some reason they don't list the antiroll bar bushes, bit pointless doing some but not all.
I've used powerflex bushes on other cars, very VERY hard ride but handles like a dream.
For some reason they don't list the antiroll bar bushes, bit pointless doing some but not all.
I've used powerflex bushes on other cars, very VERY hard ride but handles like a dream.
A
AlfaNige
Guest
Re: Re: Powerflex Bushes
I wouoldn't personally use Powerflex bushes. They caused a number of componenet failures on Jaguar (and still do!) Suspension bushes are made to provide absorbtion of vibration and shock. By using stiffer bushes you transfer the vibration and shocks onto other components whcih weren't designed to take it.
If you consider the amount of punishment the roads you drive on dish out, this is then transfered to the suspension hangers, bolts, welds etc.
I only learnt all this about the bushes after seeing the damage on Jag compnenets - frightened the **** out of me!
I wouoldn't personally use Powerflex bushes. They caused a number of componenet failures on Jaguar (and still do!) Suspension bushes are made to provide absorbtion of vibration and shock. By using stiffer bushes you transfer the vibration and shocks onto other components whcih weren't designed to take it.
If you consider the amount of punishment the roads you drive on dish out, this is then transfered to the suspension hangers, bolts, welds etc.
I only learnt all this about the bushes after seeing the damage on Jag compnenets - frightened the **** out of me!
OP
OP
Gurjit
Guest
Bushes
This is the opinion of an Alfa 156 owner who recently installed the bushes:
****
One of the inherent weaknesses of Alfas, which I think is magnified in the later models i.e. 156/147 is the lowerarms. I have always accepted it as the price to pay for better front suspensions i.e. double wishbone. A better system but unfortunately, a weak one (this is not only an Alfa problem as most European cars running double wishbones are encountering premature wear and tear, read : premature replacement. Same thing on
Beemers, Audis etc). Both my current lower arms are a year old (original Alfa arms I had installed late last year) and are at the end of their lives. The squeaks, knocks and whatever other noises that signifies their
impending death are all there. Anyways, in that context, the Powerflex, in my opinion, is a godsent. Unlike the original rubber bushings which will
wear out, the powerflex is supposedly "indestructible" in that it will not wear out over the number of years you will be driving the car. And as such, the arms will no longer start squeaking or failing after another
year becos the bushings are worned. With Powerflex in it`s place, worn bushes are a thing of the past and the only variable left on the arm that will suffer from wear & tear over the years is the balljoint. And now that that is re-conditionable, one will basically not need to change arms anymore once powerflex is installed.
That`s the theoretical bit. Whether the powerflex will last longer than me (it is supposedly to last forever, you know what they say about plastic and all), I dunno. Only time will tell but then again, I might get run
down by a car crossing the road tomorrow, splatter my brains all over the road and have my eyeballs flattened on the road and then eaten by ants and flies as my blood splatter covers an area of 50 sq feet (sorry,couldn`t help it, just watched "Kill Bill" last nite Wink) or I might sell the car next year and not know what happens to it.
But one immediate noticeable feel is that the powerflex has in some "god-only-knows-how" way to overcome one of the most annoying thing about the 156 - the crashing over uneven roads. That`s one of the major complains I have about the 156. It "crashes" over every road
undulation it goes over. Of course not the small ones but medium and above, the ride gets uncomfortable and you get the feeling that a little nut or nuts somewhere in the dashboard is/are being inched out of place
one crash at a time which will probably explain all the creaks and rattles from the dash after a while. Anyways, with powerflex on, that was the first thing I noticed when I collected the car. No more crashing. In fact, out of curiousity, I took the car to some pretty bad roads that I know off, including some half-tarred road with pebbles all over the place and it only served to confirm my suspicion... the crashing is gone. The car now rides a lot more firmer (firm as in tout, not hard and uncomfortable). Steering feedback is a lot better and taking corners... stiffer. Exactly how it
felt when I had my new lower arms installed a year back i.e. the new feel.
But the bonus is still the "absence" of crashing factor.
2 thumbs up!! A good investment I say!! ****
Would it feel the same on a Brava?
This is the opinion of an Alfa 156 owner who recently installed the bushes:
****
One of the inherent weaknesses of Alfas, which I think is magnified in the later models i.e. 156/147 is the lowerarms. I have always accepted it as the price to pay for better front suspensions i.e. double wishbone. A better system but unfortunately, a weak one (this is not only an Alfa problem as most European cars running double wishbones are encountering premature wear and tear, read : premature replacement. Same thing on
Beemers, Audis etc). Both my current lower arms are a year old (original Alfa arms I had installed late last year) and are at the end of their lives. The squeaks, knocks and whatever other noises that signifies their
impending death are all there. Anyways, in that context, the Powerflex, in my opinion, is a godsent. Unlike the original rubber bushings which will
wear out, the powerflex is supposedly "indestructible" in that it will not wear out over the number of years you will be driving the car. And as such, the arms will no longer start squeaking or failing after another
year becos the bushings are worned. With Powerflex in it`s place, worn bushes are a thing of the past and the only variable left on the arm that will suffer from wear & tear over the years is the balljoint. And now that that is re-conditionable, one will basically not need to change arms anymore once powerflex is installed.
That`s the theoretical bit. Whether the powerflex will last longer than me (it is supposedly to last forever, you know what they say about plastic and all), I dunno. Only time will tell but then again, I might get run
down by a car crossing the road tomorrow, splatter my brains all over the road and have my eyeballs flattened on the road and then eaten by ants and flies as my blood splatter covers an area of 50 sq feet (sorry,couldn`t help it, just watched "Kill Bill" last nite Wink) or I might sell the car next year and not know what happens to it.
But one immediate noticeable feel is that the powerflex has in some "god-only-knows-how" way to overcome one of the most annoying thing about the 156 - the crashing over uneven roads. That`s one of the major complains I have about the 156. It "crashes" over every road
undulation it goes over. Of course not the small ones but medium and above, the ride gets uncomfortable and you get the feeling that a little nut or nuts somewhere in the dashboard is/are being inched out of place
one crash at a time which will probably explain all the creaks and rattles from the dash after a while. Anyways, with powerflex on, that was the first thing I noticed when I collected the car. No more crashing. In fact, out of curiousity, I took the car to some pretty bad roads that I know off, including some half-tarred road with pebbles all over the place and it only served to confirm my suspicion... the crashing is gone. The car now rides a lot more firmer (firm as in tout, not hard and uncomfortable). Steering feedback is a lot better and taking corners... stiffer. Exactly how it
felt when I had my new lower arms installed a year back i.e. the new feel.
But the bonus is still the "absence" of crashing factor.
2 thumbs up!! A good investment I say!! ****
Would it feel the same on a Brava?
T
Tom
Guest
Re: Bushes
When you are paid by them you will say anything
Yes, it will improve the handling BUT the ride does get harsh and as Nige said it will take its toll on the chassis. I had them on my rally car so I did not really care about its lifetime but on a road car you could get serious problems.
A friend had a polo with different bushes and lowered springs and one of the strut tops tore off due to the load and punched through the bonnet. Was very funny to see though!
When you are paid by them you will say anything
Yes, it will improve the handling BUT the ride does get harsh and as Nige said it will take its toll on the chassis. I had them on my rally car so I did not really care about its lifetime but on a road car you could get serious problems.
A friend had a polo with different bushes and lowered springs and one of the strut tops tore off due to the load and punched through the bonnet. Was very funny to see though!
OP
OP
Gurjit
Guest
Bushes
Maybe Powerflex should have some kinda product warranty if their product does damage than any good.
Maybe Powerflex should have some kinda product warranty if their product does damage than any good.
OP
OP
Gurjit
Guest
Bushes
Got around fixing them on my Fiat Brava 1.8ELX. Not an easy task I must say. A mechanic friend fitted them.
They are firm but the ride wasn't harsh at all. But then I am using custom made shocks. So probably the shocks are doing its job dampening all the irregularities of the roads.
Anyway some weird noise has cropped up. Need investigating. Will keep ya posted.
Got around fixing them on my Fiat Brava 1.8ELX. Not an easy task I must say. A mechanic friend fitted them.
They are firm but the ride wasn't harsh at all. But then I am using custom made shocks. So probably the shocks are doing its job dampening all the irregularities of the roads.
Anyway some weird noise has cropped up. Need investigating. Will keep ya posted.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Re: Bushes
Gurjit,
Where did you get it fix. I need to try them.
Thanks,
Gurjit,
Where did you get it fix. I need to try them.
Thanks,
OP
OP
Gurjit
Guest
Re: Re: Bushes
Goodwork Auto.
Apparently the present stock from HHK/Major Anuar are old versions for Fiat Brava/Bravo.
Powerflex have redesigned the bushes, so make sure they're the latest ones. E-mail them and show them your present ones, and they'll send you the replacements.
Good Luck.
By the way, you are...?
Goodwork Auto.
Apparently the present stock from HHK/Major Anuar are old versions for Fiat Brava/Bravo.
Powerflex have redesigned the bushes, so make sure they're the latest ones. E-mail them and show them your present ones, and they'll send you the replacements.
Good Luck.
By the way, you are...?
S
Syed
Guest
Re: Re: Re: Bushes
Sorry lah Gurjit. It's me Syed. Now I am working in KL, maybe we can meet up. How's their service. I need to get my clutch replaced.
Thanks,
Sorry lah Gurjit. It's me Syed. Now I am working in KL, maybe we can meet up. How's their service. I need to get my clutch replaced.
Thanks,
OP
OP
Gurjit
Guest
Goodwork Auto
They're the best around. Most Alfa chaps swear by HHK but I don't feel welcomed there.
They're the best around. Most Alfa chaps swear by HHK but I don't feel welcomed there.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Re: Goodwork Auto
Oh! really. Never mind, now we have a few Brava, Bravo and Marea gang. Maybe can have a TT session, lets say in Bangsar.
Thanks,
Oh! really. Never mind, now we have a few Brava, Bravo and Marea gang. Maybe can have a TT session, lets say in Bangsar.
Thanks,
OP
OP
Gurjit
Guest
Get-together
Yes, why not U organize one and i'll try to make it. Preferably on a weeknight coz on weekends, Bangsar is too crowded.
You can also read about the bushes in Alfa Forum on autoworld web site.
Yes, why not U organize one and i'll try to make it. Preferably on a weeknight coz on weekends, Bangsar is too crowded.
You can also read about the bushes in Alfa Forum on autoworld web site.
S
Syed
Guest
TT
Gurjit,
I think Johan Brian is organizing one TT session during the weeknights. Will keep you posted at AW forum.
Thanks,
Gurjit,
I think Johan Brian is organizing one TT session during the weeknights. Will keep you posted at AW forum.
Thanks,