For the second time, the rear bushes on the front passenger side control arm are shot! The first set lasted 77,000k. This set only made 42,000k. This time instead of splitting which is what the last set did, it's actually stretched meaning too much movement in the rear of the control arm and causing stress on the front bushes.

Telltale sign is a slight clunk on accellerating and braking and an occasional horrible creaking noise.

I'm going to be guinea pigging a set of polyurethane bushes soon which will be assessed over an 18 month period - the way I'm driving lately, that'll be 45,000k - so it'll be interesting to see the difference between the two.

Once again, Pedders picked up the problem. All branches offer a shock test and suspension check with full report for $14 - worth it for peace of mind.

If the bushes they are fitting are the red ones instead of the standard black rubber don't be surprised if your ride is harder as those bushes don't absorb like the rubber ones.
Shore they will last but their that tuff they will actually wear the metal on the control arms!
Note - they do require a special lubricant, not rubber grease.

- Ray

can you use ky jelly on the red bushes

can you use ky jelly on the red bushes

I'm commenting to say 'no comment'.......... Although my front and rear sway bars need a bit of a lube!!! True!

those red bushes will transmit some vibs and are somtimes noisy (often known as squeakerthane) without the proper lubricant (not KY) :ky: but will stiffen up the suspension and give better handling. I like to know how they actually go, they might be just fine.

I'm bringing this back to life -
Have my car in at dealer - 81,000+ miles (not KM) and asked thrm to inspect and replace bushes as needed - they're fine, but needed camber adjust (takes extra parts to do, not a simple adjustment) and sway bar was broken! I knew the car didn't feel right.
In the US, a few have reported bushes (we call them bushings) gone bad, but you folks and the Brits seem to have an epidemic:
ukcruisers.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10122

Are they giving you crummier rubber?

Could just be our tough Aussie driving!!!

Seriously, I don't know what it is but they suck. The poly ones are going well though......

Is this the update on the replacement one's Wendy or just pass some wind on the bushes.

Everybody's a comedian...........................

The polyurethane bushings have been in place since a week before I came to Sydney in October. Things seem to be going ok. Definitely doesn't track or pull as much and they did sharpen up the steering a bit. No noticable noise or harshness. I like them!

Be aware that K-MAC suspension will most likely be doing some work in this area soon.

They have a PT Cruiser as their promo car, so will probably be having a play soon.

I'll let you know how they go.

The replacement bushes that Wendy is using in her car are one of my engineering projects and are made by an Australian Company,but I do not have a set in my car yet as my car does so little mileage that we would not get any longterm feedback on their advantages in this decade. My car had its first set of these bushes replaced under warranty at 15000km and the replacement set have lasted so far but I have no faith in the factory parts lasting any length of time that is why I started work on a superior quality replacement part.When the testing period is done the parts will be put into production and be made avaliable to the public.
Ken. author of The Chainsaw Operators Guide To Modifying a Car!

Yup. That's me!

Wendy, guinea pig rubber bit tester!

With the milage I do I need a set 133,000km Plus & my replacement set have split, is there any coming on the market place soon.

I spoke to my contact at the company that is developing the bushes to see what progress has been made, its all good news the front lower control arm bushes( both front and rear ) will be in production soon as will front sway bar link bushes. They already have front camber pins avaliable for wheel alignment correction, good for when you lower your car.
Ken.

Are they doing the rear sway bar bushings as well? Mine have been creaking and groaning like a stuck pig since they measured everything up.