Technical PU bushings for a 4x4

[svennelainen]

I'm about to order PU bushings to shape up the rear arms, and while at it I may order for the front as well. Which of them are most prone to get worn out, x56 or x57?

 

[koalar]

57

 

[koalar]

Personally a wouldn't fit stiff PU bushes to a 4x4

I not tried them on the panda 4x4 normally it needs some movement otherwise it causes other suspension/steering to wear more quickly


You can get softer PU bushes

 

[svennelainen]

I was actually on my way to 3D print them, before I found these. They are Shore 80 A, which is a bit harder than rubber that usually sits at 55-60.
Performance PU bushings are 90 and above, so I think these would be OK.

 

[DaveMcT]

4x4 has longer suspension travel so anything harder than the standard bushes will wear faster. On my 4x2, the front rears (061957) have for pretty fast (Marelli parts). Softer bushes will affect 4x4 handling but it's the price we pay for the longer suspension movement.

 

[svennelainen]

4x4 has longer suspension travel so anything harder than the standard bushes will wear faster. On my 4x2, the front rears (061957) have for pretty fast (Marelli parts). Softer bushes will affect 4x4 handling but it's the price we pay for the longer suspension movement.

You probably know already but in PU bushings, the PU itself is not moving. The steel sleeve is rotating freely and the PU is not twisted as in a rubber bushing where everything is vulcanized together.

 

[DaveMcT]

You probably know already but in PU bushings, the PU itself is not moving. The steel sleeve is rotating freely and the PU is not twisted as in a rubber bushing where everything is vulcanized together.

Actually I did not know that. Let us know how it goes.

 

[koalar]

57 operates in the vertical plane

Even 56 which is mainly rotational has some horizontal movement

If you stop this the energy moves to the steering rack components

Stiffer bushes are fine on a race car running on very flat race track

On a race car it's all about performance, and replacing things as they wear

For a road car noise, wear and so on became an issue

I have never tried Polly bushes on a 4x4 panda, I can't confirm how they hold up long term, I do know they ruin the Sierra XR4x4 where as the other Sierra models were fine on Polly bushes if harsh

 

[svennelainen]

I can confirm that PU bushings are holding up much longer than rubber, even if a soft PU is used it will perform as new after many years.