[mo 156]

Hi Guys,
I need educating about bushes, -the car kind- as I have little knowledge on them.
I cant search forum on my current pc/browser.

Going back a couple of years, my car was making knocking noises and was harsh over bumps etc. the MOT had a warning for play in 1 bush, so I had 3 bushes changed (on advice of my indy), this was 2 or 3 years ago, it did fix the knocking and harshness a bit but its come back after this short time. do they wear out this quickly?

would you guys mind giving a basic tutorial or info on bushes? how many are there? what do they do etc? I'd imagine it would be the suspension or arms/shocks etc that cause the sometimes harsh ride and knocks?

thanks as always

 

[davealfa11]

bushes basically insulate your car from moving parts and vibrating parts,if no bushes your motor be unbearable to live with, when their worn ya car be sloppy to drive and clunky as you well know ,genuine parts usually have a good life time compared to aftermarket parts usually

 

[Guest]

bushes basically insulate your car from moving parts and vibrating parts,if no bushes your motor be unbearable to live with, when their worn ya car be sloppy to drive and clunky as you well know ,genuine parts usually have a good life time compared to aftermarket parts usually

As Dave says about genuine parts lasting longer You often get what you pay for and its often worth paying the extra...
There is also alternatives on the market too, polyurethane bushes...
These are very expensive in comparison but wear at a much lower rate, they also help stiffen up the moving parts where bushes are required offering a much more positive feel:thumbs:

 

[Dickymint_156]

As Dave says about genuine parts lasting longer You often get what you pay for and its often worth paying the extra...
There is also alternatives on the market too, polyurethane bushes...
These are very expensive in comparison but wear at a much lower rate, they also help stiffen up the moving parts where bushes are required offering a much more positive feel:thumbs:

can you buy the parts with the polyurethane bushes already in them?

 

[Guest]

If only!! I don't believe it is possible to buy the parts with PU bushes but if anyone can put me right I would join the queue!! I did the upper wishbones with OEM jobbies and found they have to be tightend up beyond what I thought was reasonable. You can't get any torque figures for these parts from anyone(again please prove me wrong but even indies tell me it's a matter of feel!!?) I've also done the ARB replacement and what an improvement. I am sadly getting some noises from the rear now after 6 years of ownership, not sure where to start?

 

[davealfa11]

can you buy the parts with the polyurethane bushes already in them?

to be honest with you poly bushing id leave unless you do track days as original equipment bushes more up to job for road use , also you like a bit of give /flex from standard bushes

 

[mo 156]

Thanks guys! :thumbs:
but you've got me more worried about how many there are now, and how to know which need doing? this is too technical for me so will have to trust a local mechanic...

upper wishbones are the top suspension arms?
next to search on what ARBs are! as its been 3 years since I read about them so I've forgotten.

*anti roll bar? how embarrassing. and I thought I had basic car knowledge...

 

[AndyBeast]

+1 I'm trying to work out if it's possible to replace all the bushings and use the original arms as they seem to be a lot better than OEM ones, not sure how much wear the ball joints suffer so need more help with that before I spend loads of money on poly bushes!!

Found this company on the Bay that do a full kit (and hopefully have a selection of pictures showing all their locations!!)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alfa-Romeo-Set-Front-and-Rear-Suspension-KIT-NORMAL-/280544681869?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4151c41f8d#ht_4692wt_905

 

[davealfa11]

+1 I'm trying to work out if it's possible to replace all the bushings and use the original arms as they seem to be a lot better than OEM ones, not sure how much wear the ball joints suffer so need more help with that before I spend loads of money on poly bushes!!

Found this company on the Bay that do a full kit (and hopefully have a selection of pictures showing all their locations!!)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alfa-Romeo-Set-Front-and-Rear-Suspension-KIT-NORMAL-/280544681869?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4151c41f8d#ht_4692wt_905

poly bushing new arms way to go if ya ball joints fail all that money and work gone to waste plus ya tracking costs

 

[AndyBeast]

poly bushing new arms way to go if ya ball joints fail all that money and work gone to waste plus ya tracking costs

So is it the bushings that generally go on the cheaper replacement wishbones or the ball joints? Heard horror stories about cheap parts failing but if I'm changing all the bushes / rubbers anyway does it matter?

 

[davealfa11]

So is it the bushings that generally go on the cheaper replacement wishbones or the ball joints? Heard horror stories about cheap parts failing but if I'm changing all the bushes / rubbers anyway does it matter?

OEM are better quality bushing/ ball joints

 

[AndyBeast]

OEM are better quality bushing/ ball joints

OK, cheers. From what I've read it's genuine Alfa then TRW, any other brands to look out for or avoid like the plague?!!

 

[davealfa11]

OK, cheers. From what I've read it's genuine Alfa then TRW, any other brands to look out for or avoid like the plague?!!

from what ive read ebay and seller usually good feed back because you post it before they fail:lol:
plenty of dealers traders on this site and internet will give you discount if ya mention this site as well :thumbs:

 

[fieldarcher]

Correct me if Im wrong but I have heard that the 156 has some rear wheel steering and using poly bushes on the rear can prevent this effect from working as they are to stiff. It would be nice to know if this is correct.

 

[gazza82]

If only!! I don't believe it is possible to buy the parts with PU bushes but if anyone can put me right I would join the queue!! I did the upper wishbones with OEM jobbies and found they have to be tightend up beyond what I thought was reasonable. You can't get any torque figures for these parts from anyone(again please prove me wrong but even indies tell me it's a matter of feel!!?) I've also done the ARB replacement and what an improvement. I am sadly getting some noises from the rear now after 6 years of ownership, not sure where to start?

Alfaman does them ... but they ain't cheap ...

EB Spares might as well ... haven't looked lately.

 

[mo 156]

nearly fainted at that ebay pricing! I am totally confused by this now. that price is just for a few small bushes or am I lost?!

well I'm going in for new brakes tom, so will see what the garage says...

 

[gazza82]

Powerflex bush set? Yes mega £££s ... add in new arms (you don't want to rebush old ones as the balljoints are probably also on the way out) and it gets really expensive.

I just buy the standard arms from EB Spares and assume I'll have to change the uppers every 2-3 years.