Suspension Bushings - Which ones? Options

[Scott Carlberg]

I want to UPgrade my Suspension Bushings.
I bought complete F&R sets from GPR last year and was even lucky enuf to have Mueller install the rears for me, however my rear-arms prolly need replacing, and when I do that I thought I'd upgrade to some better Bushings than what I bought.

Looking around at the different websites, I've found these choices:

- PolyBronze from Elephant Racing (pelican parts)
- Roller Bearings from Mueller
- Delrin's over on Paragon Products site
- Poly-Graphite (Weltmeister) GPR, Pelican et al.


I've heard Mueller's Roller Bearings are Awesome and I don't doubt it, though I would like to go for a ride in a 914 that has them so I can see/feel.

I do not know much about the PolyBronze from Elephant Racing, as I until recently didn't really surf the Pelican site much.
Nor do I know much about the Delrin's that are listed on Paragon's site.

Can you guys share your experiences with these different Bushings?

Right now my 914 is 'just' a 1.7, stock-bodied car.
IF the dream ever happens ( (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/blink.gif) ) it will someday have a Sheridan Body Kit on it, and two more cylinders in the eng compartment, and only be driven on the weekends, on tracks in Calif & Nevada. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beer.gif)

Thanks in advance for your time,


Sc

[davep]

A friend told me of his experience about 15 years ago. He cleaned up the trailing arms as best he could, and that was extensive. Then he installed the bushings. After that he had to hone the bushing ID to size. That is a real problem with plastic. You pretty much have to freeze it to make it hard enough to hone. Finally he was able to install the shafts. He had similar problems with the front A-arms.

Basically the bushings deform when inserted into the arms, and the ID's are no longer round, hence the need to hone them true.