So i finally got a chance to install these things. For the most part, the install went smoothly, thanks to Tim! :thumbup: Couldn't have done it without his diy and tips, although it was a b*tch to cut out the old rubber bushing from the control arms and i ended up paying a shop to press out the metal sleeves from the carriers, i'd recommend the same for those looking to do this install, saves some headache, unless you have a proper press, for those who want to know, a shop will charge you around 20-40 bucks to push out the sleeve from the carrier and press in the new bushings.
Finished installing, bolted everything back up, took the car out for a spin and immediately had a big grin on my face from the way the car now handled. Everything that's been said about these bushings is true...the car feels more solid, tighter in its cornering line, planted while going over mid corner bumps in sweepers, and rides not only tighter but actually better over bumps in general, atleast that's what i found. Yes, i would sum these bushings up as making the suspension feel pretty new again.
That is untill i hit 65 mph+........crap, somehow i knew this was going to happen as i had read a post about this problem on the board earlier. Right when the speedo hits 65, the steering wheel shaking/vibrating starts, making it feel rather unsettling going at higher speeds. Funny thing is, most posts on this board have stated that installing these new bushings got rid of any wheel shaking. It's ironic how before the bushing install i didn't have this wheel shaking/vibrating problem. Funny thing is, i can't figure out why the bushings would cause the wheel to shake at high speeds, and this is riding on perfectly level, smooth, and straight roads, without turning the wheel at all. I guess the only logical thing would be that my ball joints need to be fixed and these new bushings which are solid and allow less flex are now causing some movement from the ball joints, which used to be absorbed by the worn bushings...any other ideas?
Well, that's all, just a warning for those about to install these bushings and how it might not be such a good idea to only install these without doing the entire control arm/ball joint replacement along with it.
Here's the post by a guy with this exact problem....btw, did you find a solution to this problem? Any info would be great, TIA.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=160138&highlight=powerflex+bushings
Finished installing, bolted everything back up, took the car out for a spin and immediately had a big grin on my face from the way the car now handled. Everything that's been said about these bushings is true...the car feels more solid, tighter in its cornering line, planted while going over mid corner bumps in sweepers, and rides not only tighter but actually better over bumps in general, atleast that's what i found. Yes, i would sum these bushings up as making the suspension feel pretty new again.
That is untill i hit 65 mph+........crap, somehow i knew this was going to happen as i had read a post about this problem on the board earlier. Right when the speedo hits 65, the steering wheel shaking/vibrating starts, making it feel rather unsettling going at higher speeds. Funny thing is, most posts on this board have stated that installing these new bushings got rid of any wheel shaking. It's ironic how before the bushing install i didn't have this wheel shaking/vibrating problem. Funny thing is, i can't figure out why the bushings would cause the wheel to shake at high speeds, and this is riding on perfectly level, smooth, and straight roads, without turning the wheel at all. I guess the only logical thing would be that my ball joints need to be fixed and these new bushings which are solid and allow less flex are now causing some movement from the ball joints, which used to be absorbed by the worn bushings...any other ideas?
Well, that's all, just a warning for those about to install these bushings and how it might not be such a good idea to only install these without doing the entire control arm/ball joint replacement along with it.
Here's the post by a guy with this exact problem....btw, did you find a solution to this problem? Any info would be great, TIA.
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=160138&highlight=powerflex+bushings