Trailing Arm Bushings, What material to select? Options

[malcolm2]

I need to replace the rear wheel bearings, so "while I am in there" I will also tackle the bushings.

Rubber looks to be the OEM choice but is hard to find with the exception of the elephant racing kit that includes the shafts and install tools. $300+ I used the Elephant bushings on the front.

I found poly-graphite to be the least expensive < $20 for a set of 4 bushings only

With Delrin as the middle of the road choice. @ $50 for a set of 4 bushings only

So what is the +/- of each material? Can you throw a few vendors out there?

My car is a daily driver?

Clark

[Markl]

I just put poly bushings on - PITA! They aren't made for the 914, they are just kind of the right size. I spent way too much time honing and fitting.

Worst of all, they are noisy, even with the right grease. I mean, the car hasn't gone 10 feet under it's own power and the squeaking is amazing.

So I'm saving for Elepahant or Rebel Racing bushings - I won't drive the car with that kind of racket going on.

[JamesM]

NO POLLY!!!!

Rubber, or Elephant racing.

I love rebel racing's front bushing setup but i am not convinced their rears even exist at this point. I have never seen photographic evidence or heard of anyone who has them. Have tried for a while to get more info from them with no luck. If they do exist though, I would 100% say rebel racing as their front bushings are awesome!

[matthepcat]

Im in the same boat. My retired race car has hardened bushings that squeak like no other!

I too echo Rubber for a street driver

[jimkelly]

http://www.paragon-products.com/Porsche-91...nsion-s/198.htm

http://www.pmbperformance.com/914suspension.html

http://www.elephantracing.com/suspension/r...berbushings.htm

[76-914]

Mine are so GD loud I thought that I had missed a major rust area and that my car was breaking in half. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) They'll probably be coming out.

[914_teener]

+2 on Rubber for Street.

Mine are quite.

I installed 4 zerk fittings.

[lonewolfe]

NO POLLY!!!!

Rubber, or Elephant racing.

I love rebel racing's front bushing setup but i am not convinced their rears even exist at this point. I have never seen photographic evidence or heard of anyone who has them. Have tried for a while to get more info from them with no luck. If they do exist though, I would 100% say rebel racing as their front bushings are awesome!

I have a set of their fronts and just ordered a set of their rears today. I've been trying to reach them to get the rears for months but lucked out today. Clint said they had 3 sets available and I was the second guy to buy a set today. So, unless anyone else called after me they should have 2 sets left available. You can reach Clint at (805)440-9849.

[lonewolfe]

Here's the link to the Rebelracingproducts.com page that shows their rear bushing set for the 914.

http://www.rebelracingproducts.com/SuspSteerpage2.html

[malcolm2]

Here's the link to the Rebelracingproducts.com page that shows their rear bushing set for the 914.

http://www.rebelracingproducts.com/SuspSteerpage2.html

I guess i'll call. Need to ask if $199 does a car or a side. They spell it out on the part above for another car, but it is not clear for the 914.

[Matt Romanowski]

I think what Tangerine does is the best. They use a Delrin bushing that is fit to a new shaft and they make sure it turns free. Then, you can ship the end play. IMHO, it's the only way to go.

[malcolm2]

Here's the link to the Rebelracingproducts.com page that shows their rear bushing set for the 914.

http://www.rebelracingproducts.com/SuspSteerpage2.html

I guess i'll call. Need to ask if $199 does a car or a side. They spell it out on the part above for another car, but it is not clear for the 914.

No answer yet, you cali boys don't start working too early, do ya? I'll leave a message on the 3rd try.

My method on this project is to rebuild some spare trailing arms purchased from a 74 in the JY. $15 each. Then take an afternoon and install them on my '75. That way I can drive with the loud bearing a bit longer.

Bearings and bushings are now out of the spare arms. One arm had nice looking bushings and one of our experts (on another board) suggested that I not mess with the bushings if they "looked" OK. "you can't find the rubber ones, and it is one tough job" were a few other reasons. The picture below is the pivot shaft out of the arm with "good looking" bushings. And seems to be a good reason to replace 39 year old good looking parts.

Water got under the bushing and has rusted the pivot shaft. Looks like money well spent will be to change the bushings and the arms, ya think? Turns out both of the donor arms have this problem, I bet my '75 does too. IIRC the bushings looked good on it.

Clark

[malcolm2]

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon_bump.gif) for some coments

[02loftsmoor]

All I add is thank you for bringing this up. about Ploy bushings,, thank you for not letting me make that mistake.. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif)

[lonewolfe]

Here's the link to the Rebelracingproducts.com page that shows their rear bushing set for the 914.

http://www.rebelracingproducts.com/SuspSteerpage2.html

I guess i'll call. Need to ask if $199 does a car or a side. They spell it out on the part above for another car, but it is not clear for the 914.

That is for both sides!

[mgp4591]

+2 on Rubber for Street.

Mine are quite.

I installed 4 zerk fittings.

When you grease the rubber bushings doesn't that destroy the rubber over time? And maybe not that long of a time?

[MikeM]

I looked at that page on the Rebel Racing website and it looks like they are showing just the pivot shafts without the bushings. Or am I missing something?
Mike

[JamesM]

Here's the link to the Rebelracingproducts.com page that shows their rear bushing set for the 914.

http://www.rebelracingproducts.com/SuspSteerpage2.html

Yeah, the site shows a drawing but I have never seen an actual picture, and every time i have called or emailed they are always "waiting for more" and they apparently never email me back when they actually get them.

If they do deliver please post pictures and feedback. If they are anything like the front setup then i just keep waiting until i can get my hands on a set.

[lonewolfe]

Here's the link to the Rebelracingproducts.com page that shows their rear bushing set for the 914.

http://www.rebelracingproducts.com/SuspSteerpage2.html

Yeah, the site shows a drawing but I have never seen an actual picture, and every time i have called or emailed they are always "waiting for more" and they apparently never email me back when they actually get them.

If they do deliver please post pictures and feedback. If they are anything like the front setup then i just keep waiting until i can get my hands on a set.

I should have mine on Monday or Tuesday. I'll post pictures once they're n my hands!

[MikeM]

I'll look forward to seeing them....