GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Leroy on 04 February 2013, 09:26
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Powerflex ones are £62? anyone know a cheaper alternative? or anywhere with a discount?
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Pro flex?
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Just had a look at flo flex and they don't seem to do rear beam ones.
I've got powerflex on my rear beam, and to be fair they're very good.
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Cheers Khare, been through a few threads on this subject you were involved in. i can only find the red polybush ones or the purple powerflex ones.
Do you know why the purple powerflex ones have triangular edges and the red ones round?
also someone bought the red ones and said they are easier to fit because they come in 2 parts? im pretty sure the purple ones are one piece??? can you recommend either way?
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Not sure what the difference in them is. The purple ones that I've got came in a single poly bush, they don't split, but just put some copper grease on them and they slide in my hand, then there's a metal tube that goes through the middle of it, grease that up too and then with a mallet just tap it in. It'll tighten the bush up to the axle. It's a doddle to fit the bush into the axle, but the job as a whole is an absolute b!tch. I had to remove the rear axle to get a good angle for cutting the old bush casings out. You can remove the axle without disconnecting brake calipers from the brake lines, just manoeuvre them out of the way. Oh and make sure you've got a friend helping you, you need someone to help you lift the axle and hold it there while you screw it all back in.
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Check Venom's prices.
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Cheap poly bushes are moulded with the wrong grade of PU, they set and lose their memory just like rubber.
Cast poly bushes use the correct PU which can not be granulated and reconstituted for injection moulding as its a thermo setting grade......
Check what you buy by asking moulded/cast......
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I have to say the last mk3 i drove with poly rear bushes didn't feel right to me, it was just too firm on the axle for my liking (although getting it cornering on 3 wheels aka mk1 Gti was a doddle!!)
I've kept with std o.e spec bushes myself
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I'm with Boney, fresh new genuine VW bushes win for me on this one.
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Check Venom's prices.
Venom are a few quid cheaper, cheers, Len.
im now looking at whether powerflex are cast ones or not now, and theres nothing to say they are so im assuming they are not, but can't find any that are.
I'll be honest, im not dropping the axle myself, got a mechanic friend to do it and he has said he won't fit rubber ones cus they are too much of a pain in the *rse and i don't fancy paying a garage to do it cus its silly money. He said the savings you'll make on the rubber bushes will only go on the labour costs cus they are so much more time consuming to fit. so ive got no choice in the matter.
At least i know it'll last longer and once ive had the coilovers, front and rear top mounts and axle bushes done, i won't have to do them again for a while.
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I have pm'd you with price of fitting axle bushes and full suspension set up, so you can compare the difference.
let us know how much your mechanic says as I am interested in how much £££ can be saved using poly bushes :huh:
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Will do dude, no problem. thanks everyone for the advice.
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Would probably knock half hour off maybe?
Maybe not even that, if you have the right tool it's not that hard.
Beam is a tosser to put back sometimes, last one I did just didn't seem to line back up. Didn't change the bushes on it just took the axle off, went to put it back and the poly bushes on it didn't really seem to line up properly. Had to slightly compress them which didn't seem right.
Also, make sure the wheels are at driving height before tightening the bolts fully.
Put them on mildly tight but so it can still move, careful drive over a bump or two to settle then tighten. Easier on a ramp I suppose.
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If its a daily - and you value your comfort. I wouldn't bother with Poly bushes. You'll feel every detail of the texture in the road - even when its just the rears.
I'm sure the MK3 process is the same as the MK2 - so have a look at this: http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=49436.msg1520093#msg1520093
The saving grace with poly bushes is that they are easier to fit. But I would wholeheartedly suggest OEM - and just buy a bush insertion tool.
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Or make a bush fitting tool like i did inspired by the thread on VWvortex and save your pennies.