Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Jimbob on 27 August 2011, 19:40:04
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Fitted Powerflex bushes to my wishbones yesterday...
Job was easier than I expected it to be.
Used a combination of hole saw, sharp chisel, then pliers to remove the centre.
Then hacksaw to remove the rest / plastic,
and hacksaw again followed by chisel to remove the outer.
New ones in was very easy.
Didnt get time for a testdrive...so headed up the coast today.
Good points..
Massively improved handling.
No tramlining
My tendancy to understeer was gone
More precise steering.
Bad points
A lot of road feel / vibration in the car, felt every surface change, and some rough surfaces really felt rough. Not keen on that at all.
Also noticed a droplink clunk - had been aware it 'may' have been there, but felt it more today.
How does this compare to your 1st impressions when you did yours?
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send me some, I will tell later ;D ;D :y
seriously what was the cost ?
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not dear...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/POWERFLEX-KIT-Opel-Omega-B-86-2003-PFF80-902-/260807007959?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cb94f1ed7
£40
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A lot of road feel / vibration in the car, felt every surface change, and some rough surfaces really felt rough. Not keen on that at all.
Was considering them for mine when I finally change my wishbones bushes, but every time I go for a WIM session they say they are fine :-/
Not keen on those bad points either, Omega is all about the smooth ride.
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Fitted Powerflex bushes to my wishbones yesterday...
Bad points
A lot of road feel / vibration in the car, felt every surface change, and some rough surfaces really felt rough. Not keen on that at all.
How does this compare to your 1st impressions when you did yours?
Can't say as I've noticed the bad points at all! Fitted them to several different Capris, and not noticed a harsher ride/noise on them either. My reason for using them is simply durability: I had to fit new TCAs on Capris for each MOT, using poly bushes eliminated that.
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ive got powerflex bushes in my elite and no problems steering and ride feel a lot better but no harshness or extra road noise vibrations etc mine were already fitted when i got the car maybe they will settle after a bit of use
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I fitted them to my Elite Estate a few months back and was worried about them spoiling the super smooth ride.
I replaced the rear donut bushes with standard ones at the same time and I have to say that the difference to the drive and handling was incredible!! Totally agree with all the good points you mention Jim, but I can't say I have noticed any significant bad points.
When you factor in that they won't need replacing again, I think its a no-brainer!! :y
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not dear...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/POWERFLEX-KIT-Opel-Omega-B-86-2003-PFF80-902-/260807007959?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cb94f1ed7
£40
thanks , will give them a try :y
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Polybushes will highlight other problems. I was entirely unaware of my wheel balancing issue before polybushing
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cheers all, think ill swap some wheels round and see what happens :y
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Polybushes will highlight other problems. I was entirely unaware of my wheel balancing issue before polybushing
what was the issue? just a balancing one? fixed now? using cone or stud balancer?
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I assume at some point the balancing weights dropped off, or balance by an idiot.
Problem solved by shredding the tyres, so will be properly balanced if/when I stick new tyres on
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Polybushes will highlight other problems. I was entirely unaware of my wheel balancing issue before polybushing
That's always been my experience too.
In the Omega's case it showed up just how badly worn the front shocks were; the slight judder it had at 90mph(bearable) turned into an appalling wheel shake between 45 and 60. Which made it virtually undrivable. When I changed the shocks, the NS one had no damping left, and had worn a 50mm long patch through the plating on the piston at ride height. I wouldn't be surprised if the OP's car had similar issues.
Replacing them and the top mounts, plus cleaning and regreasing the bearings has transformed the car; it now rides bumps, rather than wallowing over them, and the creak has gone. Just got to get it aligned, and hopefully the spending is over!
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I assume at some point the balancing weights dropped off, or balance by an idiot.
Problem solved by shredding the tyres, so will be properly balanced if/when I stick new tyres on
could be , also I witnessed some spirited driving including sideways driving, changes the tire position around the wheels (especially if they are newly fitted-as they use some creams or soap to fit) and resulting with tires out of balance :-/
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fitted mine a few weeks ago but since then it has been wandering all over the place pulling left and right not to sure what is up any ideas thanks :)
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Reading through quickly, most of those reporting back have Elites. Where's as yours is an mv6 JB. Firmer with more feed back than Elite anyway.
Was it just pollys that where fitted? No struts or springs replaced?
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Mine were fitted to my Elite a few weeks ago but along with new shocks and springs. Even before the trip to wim it was a heck of a lot better
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Well worth it :y Much sharper front end.
Got lucky with the geometry on mine though. Toe was out, but adjusted the track rods to approx 380mm and all sorted, no scrubbing and tracks true 8-).
Also noticed a droplink clunk - had been aware it 'may' have been there, but felt it more today.
Was initially annoyed, had a nasty clonk at the front end, (not the lorry incident), so changed the wishbones for new polyed ones. Didn't cure it >:( droplinks had failed too, only done 20k. ::)
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mine does feel better after a tyre swap :y
deffo still more vibration than there was though, but guess its to be expected.
Yes MV6, with new shocks and springs all round in the last year
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Check your tyre pressures to as I know some of use run a few psi more to overcome tramlining issues.
I noticed no major issues on ours just much better feedback and greater stability.
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I run 32 / 33 all round
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I run 32 / 33 all round
;D They're almost flat :o no wonder handling is wooly... ::) :-X
41/48 over here, but often fully loaded. :y
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35 all round here.works well for me. ;)
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35 all round here.works well for me. ;)
OH :o i've been at 30 since i've had the car, that may explain the tyres squelling so much on my test flight today!!!
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:o ;D ;D Please read the manual :P
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I tend to run 32psi all round.
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drop links have helped a little, I think...
But play in track rod really wont be helping things :'(
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drop links have helped a little, I think...
But play in track rod really wont be helping things :'(
Bring a new track rod to Newent. It's time consuming, but should be able to get the tracking fairly close once fitted.
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Well, all I can say about poly-bushes, after having them fitted at Newent, is, they have transformed my car.
Steering is more positive, and it goes where I point it now.
Can't praise them enough :y
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Well, all I can say about poly-bushes, after having them fitted at Newent, is, they have transformed my car.
Steering is more positive, and it goes where I point it now.
Can't praise them enough :y
indeed...
we fitted those, as I fitted mine...
Yet the ride is totally different - in AA's it was everything I expected.
I hope when I resolve my issues it will feel the same :y
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Well, all I can say about poly-bushes, after having them fitted at Newent, is, they have transformed my car.
Steering is more positive, and it goes where I point it now.
Can't praise them enough :y
Without downplaying your impressions .. there is a slight problem with some of the comparisons methinks ..... :(
I put (well Daz did most of the work :) ) new wishbones ("ordinary" style) on at Newent . and the handling of mine is vastly improved over the old ones ...as expected
Most folks will have the polybushes fitted to replace knackered bushes .. you are now comparing new poly to old "ordinary" ... there is bound to be an improvement .... what it needs IMHO is someone with an unbiased viewpoint to drive virtualy identical cars ... same bodystyle/engine/similar miles ... where one has new polybushes and the other has new "ordinary" bushes/wishbones.
I think that is the only way to get a more "fair" comparison.
Just my 2.4 p's worth (inc VAT) :)
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Well, all I can say about poly-bushes, after having them fitted at Newent, is, they have transformed my car.
Steering is more positive, and it goes where I point it now.
Can't praise them enough :y
Same experiences here ......... :y
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The key thing in reality is that we need to be sure that the fitting of Polys does not result in any bad effects e.g over harsh ride.
If they dont then we can infer that they are the better solution as they will provide longevity :y
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Ill agree to that Mark...
From what Ive read and felt myself, they are great in Elite and CDX etc..
MV6 appears unproven.
Given the other issues currently, Im happy to expect they will be ok, once other suspension components are happy.
I also hope they wont be putting too much extra strain on the other joints under there, else we may find we are now replacing track rods or something more often to compensate :-/
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The key thing in reality is that we need to be sure that the fitting of Polys does not result in any bad effects e.g over harsh ride.
If they dont then we can infer that they are the better solution as they will provide longevity :y
Can't say I noticed the ride being harsher, on the drive back from Newent.
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Longevity aside, I think Entwood has a point re ride quality.
IMO the bush forms part of the the complete suspension set up to an extent. Given the triangulated set up of McPherson strut suspension (top shock mount/steering knuckle ball joint/wishbone bush pivot point), some of the bump effect will be absorbed by the bush...and top mount obviously. If it isnt the suspension has to deal with it. Add in firmer suspension and lower profile tyres for example.... Mite be a bit much with Polly as well?
Sure I saw a Polly bush with waisted internals giving more compliance. Although you know what my memory is like.
... Is Polly drill able? Can it be worked after moulding? Thinking a set of holes drilled around the centre hole say, 5mill dia and 10 mill deep, spaced out every 5mill, to soften them up if needed....???? :-/
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What we need to consider is that the poly bushes are not hard, they are pretty soft and I suspect give a similar level of cushioning to those of a new standard bush (remember, they only use rubber because its mega cheap and the addition on a fluid sack is also the cheapest way to stiffen a section up).
It would be interesting to get TB's feedback on them.
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ISTR that his only real gripe was that it had highlighted a wheel balance issue he hadn't noticed before :-/
Although I'm not sure TBE has actually seen much use since they were fitted ::)
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Yeah, with the Elite looking so poorly on the drive, I can't really make a comparison.
However, the bushes in the MV6 are now shot, so need to poly them soon. I wonder if I know anyone with a 50t press ::) ;D
The MV6 ones have only just started to go, so if I rebush soon, I should be able to make comparison. This were rebushed about 3 months before MDTM took that press to Newent (2yrs ago?), using GM bushes.
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... I wonder if I know anyone with a 50t press ::) ;D....
There's a big press at Kitt Green ;) ;) ;)
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Yeah, with the Elite looking so poorly on the drive, I can't really make a comparison.
However, the bushes in the MV6 are now shot, so need to poly them soon. I wonder if I know anyone with a 50t press ::) ;D
The MV6 ones have only just started to go, so if I rebush soon, I should be able to make comparison. This were rebushed about 3 months before MDTM took that press to Newent (2yrs ago?), using GM bushes.
I think it was 3 years ago actualy.
The press is currently goosed after some muppet applied 100 tons of pressure!
But they can be changed in situ as shown at Newent
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Yeah, with the Elite looking so poorly on the drive, I can't really make a comparison.
However, the bushes in the MV6 are now shot, so need to poly them soon. I wonder if I know anyone with a 50t press ::) ;D
The MV6 ones have only just started to go, so if I rebush soon, I should be able to make comparison. This were rebushed about 3 months before MDTM took that press to Newent (2yrs ago?), using GM bushes.
I think it was 3 years ago actualy.
The press is currently goosed after some muppet applied 100 tons of pressure!
But they can be changed in situ as shown at Newent
I missed that, as I was busy washing my hair... ...in ATF
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made these up a while back & they work very well
(http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa297/razzo_photo/KY8L0100-1.jpg)
(http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa297/razzo_photo/KY8L0111-1.jpg)
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Powerflex Polys ordered for MV6, so hopefully will get them on in a couple of weeks
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I have a feeling mine are going to need changing, Its started to wander every now and then under braking. Just feels a bit 'loose' at times.
I will also shortly be scrapping some wishbones, so could get them polybushed without having the car off the road (unless the bushes are fine in the replacement wishbones)
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made these up a while back & they work very well
(http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa297/razzo_photo/KY8L0100-1.jpg)
(http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa297/razzo_photo/KY8L0111-1.jpg)
Hmm would give me somthing to do with my metal lathe that hasn't been used for anything important yet... ::)
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When I test drove it at Newent, I was impressed, this was with tyres inflated for towing th 'van.
Now the tyre pressures are set for solo, I'm even more impressed.
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When I test drove it at Newent, I was impressed, this was with tyres inflated for towing th 'van.
Now the tyre pressures are set for solo, I'm even more impressed.
To me, that shows how bad the fubar ones were ;)
Polys for MV6 have arrived, just need to work out how to fit them
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When I test drove it at Newent, I was impressed, this was with tyres inflated for towing th 'van.
Now the tyre pressures are set for solo, I'm even more impressed.
To me, that shows how bad the fubar ones were ;)
Polys for MV6 have arrived, just need to work out how to fit them
easy enough...
I undid the 1 bolt
I removed plastic bits
holesaw / chisel to remove rubber
hacksaw to remove outer
hacksaw to cut inner
chisel out.
at the lakes...
undo 1 bolt, remove plastic bits
get small hole in bush
use reciprocating saw to go straight through the bearing outer,
chisel out.
new ones slide straight in, job done :y
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When I test drove it at Newent, I was impressed, this was with tyres inflated for towing th 'van.
Now the tyre pressures are set for solo, I'm even more impressed.
To me, that shows how bad the fubar ones were ;)
Polys for MV6 have arrived, just need to work out how to fit them
easy enough...
I undid the 1 bolt
I removed plastic bits
holesaw / chisel to remove rubber
hacksaw to remove outer
hacksaw to cut inner
chisel out.
at the lakes...
undo 1 bolt, remove plastic bits
get small hole in bush
use reciprocating saw to go straight through the bearing outer,
chisel out.
new ones slide straight in, job done :y
Oh he knows. ::) . .... (Sigh) ;D
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When I test drove it at Newent, I was impressed, this was with tyres inflated for towing th 'van.
Now the tyre pressures are set for solo, I'm even more impressed.
To me, that shows how bad the fubar ones were ;)
Polys for MV6 have arrived, just need to work out how to fit them
When my 2.2's were changed for new wishbones, the old bushes had really had it, I don't remember a such a vast difference in the steering, as I have on this one.
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Swapped both track rod ends this morning for Febi ones.
Also freed off a stuck calliper bolt.
Ride is now MUCH smoother and similar to my memories of AA's at Newent.
Off for alignment check this afternoon. But im Happy :D
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Good news. :y
Appears to be amazing how much can " hide " in omega wishbone bushes.
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Good news. :y
Appears to be amazing how much can " hide " in omega wishbone bushes.
Indeed - I thought my Elite was perfectly normal (as in pure shite when shown a corner) until polybushed. I then realises it was awful in a straight line as well ;D
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I was impressed with them too in TBE, handled a bit better than my 2.2 ::) ;D
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Swapped both track rod ends this morning for Febi ones.
Also freed off a stuck calliper bolt.
Ride is now MUCH smoother and similar to my memories of AA's at Newent.
Off for alignment check this afternoon. But im Happy :D
Good news JB :y
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Is there any polly donut bushes that fits? Cant find part number for this as its not spessified in the table at powerflex web site for my omega. . Just have to know before I order if theres other part fitting. ::)
Looking forward for more stiffer ride. Stil looking for sport shocks for this setup also for bether handling. Any sugestions? :)
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Is there any polly donut bushes that fits? Cant find part number for this as its not spessified in the table at powerflex web site for my omega. . Just have to know before I order if theres other part fitting. ::)
Looking forward for more stiffer ride. Stil looking for sport shocks for this setup also for bether handling. Any sugestions? :)
Regal are probably your best bet for the donuts according to previous posts although another member asked this question: http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/index.php?topic=93681.0
It's been raised on Autobahnstormers forum as well but it appears that they are not so easy to come by as the poly wishbone & ARB bush. :-\