GTV/Spider - Powerflex Or Not ?

Always lots of Threads about the benefit, or not, of changing all the suspension bushes to Powerflex. Despite reading a lot of them I still can't decide whether to go this route or not so how about a Poll to crystallize peoples thoughts.

If you have had it done and like it. any recommendations as to who could do the job ?

What will it cost you? Is it worth it and how long will you be keeping the car

Originally Posted by Dirk

What will it cost you? Is it worth it and how long will you be keeping the car

I think the cost would be about 300 - 500 to have someone do it although it does seem that a lot of the indys do not seem keen to do the job, I know not why.

No plans to sell the car for a while yet.

You can get the full bush set for £240, do it yourself and hamerite the wishbones etc at the same time.

I've got them done on my GTV as when the bushes go its the cheapest way of fixing them

having the 166 powerflexed at the rear on Weds will report back then personally all the posts and advice seem to say its good practice. It appears the standard alfa dampers / shocks are not the best quality and as a result put undue pressure on the original rubber bushes, and my back

Originally Posted by TeamAlfa

having the 166 powerflexed at the rear on Weds will report back then personally all the posts and advice seem to say its good practice. It appears the standard alfa dampers / shocks are not the best quality and as a result put undue pressure on the original rubber bushes, and my back

I look forward to getting your views. Mines going for the MoT on Wednesday, may help me to decide also....

Overall the powerflex upgrade is worth it. If you replace all fourteen bushes on the rear the handling is more secure and you can place the car with more confidence through the bends. However, I would suggest a damper/spring upgrade at the same time to complement this improvement. Replacing one without the other will not give you the degree of surety you may be after. It all depends on how far you wish to go.

However, with the decision to replace all fourteen rear bushes, there are caveats. Without going into too much detail, I would suggest that the set of six bushes on the trailing arms are the best ones to replace, the outer ones especially so. Things get more difficult with the springpan bushes. If money were no object, I would suggest replacing your TS springpan arms with the 3.0 V6 ones, as these are rose-jointed (the later JTS cars I believe are rose jointed also). Again, it all depends how far you wish to go.

Im getting wishbones , balljoints and powerflexes on the front of my GTV next week.Thought about replacing with the standard ones ,but what the heck im just going for it .I have driven a GTV Ts with them, the ride is certainly firmer but the car sat nice in corners with them.That made the decision for me.

A total no brainer.

I bought my GTV at 46k miles and the bushes were shot, handled oddly, inside rear tyre wear and - when the bushes were removed you could see the begining of subframe wear.

Had all 14 rear bushes powerflexed - that was nearly 50k miles ago and the rear still hugs bends like no-ones business. Tyres last normally and there are no signs that the bushes are any different from the day they were fitted.

The ride is fine - no different imho to new standard bushes. Trouble with the standards is that they "go off" even when MOT legal. Had I fitted standard I would now be looking at another set of replacements and weighing up the cost for a 10 year old 94k mile car. As it is I need never worry about it.

It cost me £450 three years ago - a bargain

Do it.

Paul.

I think a lot of the indies don't like fitting them because they can be a bit of a nightmare to fit - especially the spring pan arms on the rear. I had a nightmare and couldn't get both the washers in on my gtv. One of the guys at alfa workshop said that sometimes they have to machine the bushes down a tiny bit to get them to fit. The worrying part is when you are trying to squeeze them into the subframe - such a tight fit and the added worry of cracking the subframe! Also jamie at Alfa workshop said you loose the passive rear wheel steering when you powerflex them and I have heard other people moaning about a harder ride. But to be honest I found it fine didn't really notice a harder ride but did notice how much more responsive the handeling was although I do think that was more to do with how knackered the old bushes were!

just to add to that... I was also told that the reason they are not a good fit is because originally they didn't come with the washers but due to stories of failing/splitting bushes they started issuing the washers with them but didn't change the size of the bush to compensate!

Originally Posted by Alfa Vincent

Also jamie at Alfa workshop said you loose the passive rear wheel steering when you powerflex them

That is so not true.

You will find that the rear tracking is out and that everything has seized up by time you need to replace the rear bushes. So - replace the bushes and then unseize the trackrods. You MUST then ensure that the front wishbones are up to spec - only about 40 quid each to replace - and then get someone who knows what they are doing to 4 wheel track you.

Then drive it hard - throw it around a few sharp bends on the limit and, if you are aware, you will notice a subtle- very subtle, movement from the rear. That's your passive steering - still there on mine after 50k with powerflex.

Paul.

Paul has probably done more miles on a powerflexed GTV than most on here,after reading his and other posts about them I did both of ours. I agree with him its the best way to go,the improvement over the ever deteriorating standard set up is noticeable.
I'm not a good enough driver to notice or detect passive rear wheel steering so I won't comment on that

Originally Posted by alfafamily

I'm not a good enough driver to notice or detect passive rear wheel steering so I won't comment on that

I'll probably find out that it is a loose bolt or something.

Paul.

Paul can you recommend a place to get 4 wheel alignment done? I'm fed up with telling people that the rear toe is adjustable. PM if necessary. Thanks.