Control Arm Bushings - The Final Word?, Who is telling the truth? Options

[ConeDodger]

My 914 is on Elephant Bushings. Even with 200# coilovers on the rear and Koni Adjustables on full stiff they dance over everything on the road. It is a very responsive suspension.

Having said that, I think the FreeMotion would be exactly the same responsiveness.

Performance is really the thing I look for. Either of these would perform.

I know nothing of Delrin and cannot say that it is an inferior product.

I would probably have my car on FreeMotion if the rears were available when I was doing the suspension. If I build another car, perhaps a track dedicated car, it would be on FreeMotion.

[SirAndy]

I would probably have my car on FreeMotion if the rears were available when I was doing the suspension.

I was lucky to get the last set for the rear when Mike Mueller closed shop and passed his stuff on to McMark.

I've been running the rears for 4 years or so now. Even with the 250lbs springs, the rear does not feel harsh at all.

Just ask Dr. Evil how nice my rear felt at the tranny clinic! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Wait, that didn't sound right ...
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol-2.gif) Andy

[Dr Evil]

Andy's rear felt firm yet pliable (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

I was sold on the free motion suspension and since I was at Mark's shop and had some cash in hand....I caved and bought a set for my car. I am waiting to see what the rears will cost....maybe I will have $ when they are available.

[rfuerst911sc]

Brian here's my 2 cents. On my 911 I have Elephant poly bronze on the rear and some type of plastic bushings on the front. I bought the plastic bushings used off Pelican forum from a racer. He had them modified on the inside with grooves cut and zerk fittings so they could be greased. I had Donnie at Zotz install these 2 years ago when I had my suspension completely refurbished. With 22mm front and 30mm rear torsion bars and sport Bilsteins on the rear and HD on the front my 911 feels perfect on the road,AX and DE's. Suspension is compliant and I have zero squeeks front or rear. Once a year I give them a few shots of grease and good to go.
When I decided to do the 914GT clone there was no doubt in my mind I was going to use Elephant polybronze on all four corners. Yes it's pricey but in my mind I have done the job once and should be good to go for a long time. Easy install for the DIYer and Chuck Moreland will provide excellent advice if needed. As others have stated I don't think there is only one answer to your question, you need to know what you want and what your budget allows. Good luck.

[bcheney]

Thanks Rick. I went ahead and ordered the Elephants for the front. I have installed the sleeves on the arms...just need to install the bushings...then the arms on the car. Talk to you soon.

[charliew]

Bearings are intended to be used in a high speed rotating enviorment where a bushing is intended to be a slow speed rotating enviorment. The suspension arm is not either. From my industrial maintenance experience I know that in a rotational use where the bearing is constantly revolving that roller bearings will always be the correct best application if the rotational speed is too high for the bushing application and the vibration or radial shock is low. Also the roller bearing will have less friction as the rollers are only touching on their radius where they touch the inner and outer race. On the suspension application where the arm is only rocking in a minimum angle the rollers will be staying in the same spot a lot. With the forward and backward (radial shock) vibration that is not what the roller bearing is designed for although it is better than the ball bearing. I'm sure I'm not the only one that knows this. A bushing is the best design for this application, the surface area is many times more and therefore the friction will be more. I'm sure the rollers are really impressive from the frictional observation but 20 years from now I bet they will need replacement if used on a street car. I am positive in 20 years a bronze bushing will not need replacement if it is just greased a little. I picked the number 20 because I only usually drive my toys about 5k a year. Water intrusion is also a big concern on any suspension pivot and I believe the bushing will survive better in that regard. Of course with a lightweight race car everything is different.

[tradisrad]

follow up: I have driven my car since my last post in this thread. The Elephant bushing are awesome and I an so happy that I put them in the car and on all 4 corners. My friend now wants them in his car. I think the 914 is now smoother than my Subaru, but the shock are stiffer. After I had the car aligned I went to very twisty road and I felt like I was playing a video game... The car is awesome.

As far as making the self aligning washer kit the machining needs to be done on the rear a-arm mount. I removed enough metal to fit the washers in between the a-arm mount and the cross member. I don't remeber the dimensions, but It was the thickness of the washer sets- on both sides of the mount (top & bottom). Also it takes 4 sets per side on the front mounts. You will need a total of 12 sets of washers fo the front and rear. I think I spent abnout $50 for the washers. If you cant have the mounts machined I am sure that you could file them down to make the washers fit. I posted a link in a previous post to Fastenal where I purchased the washers. Hope this helps.. Sorry for the delay since your PM. I almost forgot....
I can try and take a picture this evening. I'll put a note in my pocket to remeber.

[6freak]

....Ive made up my mind ..Go`n polybronze