Polly Bushes

[Judderi]

I have splashed out and bought a full set of polly bushes. Now for the fitting! Is this a big job? Im good with my hands and would class myself as a fairly competent mechanic. Would i be able to do this job? Do you need a press or anything special? Or will a big hammer and plank of wood do? 

[bosun]

Best thing to do with the control arms is buy new arms.The rest is quite straight forward.

[Veedubgt18v]

nah you dont need a press sp[ecifically, and there is no point buying a new control arm if your fitting poly bushes cos your gonna have to take the rubber ones out any way   its a bit fiddly getting them in but use soapy water and a bench vice or something (wat i did) and you will be fine

[Judderi]

Thanks. What is a control arm? Is it what i would call the wishbones?

[bosun]

Sorry.Yes wishbones.The only reason i say change these is for ease.You can build these up ready to fit before you strip your car,and they only cost pennies from GSF without the bushes fitted.

[Judderi]

Thanks guys. Ive heard that its not worth doing the rear of the car. Why exactly is this? In the kit i got the round things that go on the top of the strut for the rear. Should i fit these?

[Veedubgt18v]

if you got thewm might as well fit them, chances are your existing ones are old and shot anyway

[Judderi]

Yeah good point

[bosun]

I never bothered with the rear axel bush inserts,but always fitted the rear shock top mounts.

[Perfect 8]

I believe that people tend to stick with the standard rubber rear bushes as the rear suspension/axle etc allows for a certain amount of rear wheel steering. Push down on the rear of your car and you will see the front edge of the rear wheel will turn in slightly. The poly bushes, being stiffer, limit this movement and hence you reduce this rear wheel steering characteristic.