Hi everybody, i'm replacing a few control arm bushings and I have a few questions.

I'm replacing the front lower compliance bushing with Mugen hardened rubber ones. I'm just not sure what to replace the front lower bushing with (see #2 in this link on Powerflex's website: Honda S2000 Performance Suspension Bushings). Anybody know some good options?

If I replaced it with the poly bush from Powerflex, do I keep the oem metal shell from the old bushing or just press the whole thing out and then press the Powerflex poly in?

Lastly, what are your thoughts on mixing poly with rubber to get some compliance but also crispness? I was thinking of going with Powerflex race.

Thanks for your help

 

Leave it alone unless it's shot. Just did my compliance and those were fine.

 

I hate poly bushings, Hard Race, hardened rubber bushings, Mugen, or Spoon. Or harvest them from used control arms. If you like throwing away money you can do sphericals for the upper arms and hardened rubber for the lower arms. That will keep the NVH low and give you a tighter suspension. In my opinion the best sporty compromise.

 

Well I might have to replace the front lower bushing because I can't get the bolt out of the bushing so I might have to cut it off. The nut came off but the bolt is seized. I need it off because i'm replacing my worn compliance bushings and need the control arm out.

 

You don't keep the metal sleeve with the Powerflex bushings.
If you are going to use rubber compliance I would go for rubber on the front one as well, Hardrace, Spoon or Mugen don't think there's much difference.
I'm using Powerflex street in both the front lower bushings and I really like them, the compliance one is pretty expensive but it does seem to be working very good.

 

I would recommned Hardrace hardened rubber. cheap, and effective.

If you are going to go spherical. then go with Ballade as they have protective grommets on them to keep out dirt.

 

The upper arms don't see much force, and they aren't usually in rough shape. But for arms that only see rotation like the front lower, or the upper arms, poly is fine. Poly is a poor choice for the compliance bushings as it must articulate on multiple axis. The Powerflex Compliance bushing is sort of a hybrid between poly and spherical, so it eliminates binding in that respect, but it is not allowable in SCCA STR class. The hardened rubber is a good choice.

With Powerflex, you press out the old metal shell, and press in the new bushing. With Energy, you burn out the old bushing but retain the metal shell. With Prothane, you press out the old metal shell and press in the new bushing. Mugen/Hardrace are just like OEM where it's rubber bonded to a metal shell.

Sphericals shouldn't need grommets to keep dirt out as they are supposed to be self cleaning. But having a boot/grommet certainly doesn't hurt.

 

Ok thanks for the replies. I think i'm going with Hardrace rubber for the front lower.

 

Mugen bushings from RHDJapan shouldn't be that much.

 

Just replaced compliance with Mugen and front lower due to siezed bolt with Hardrace since Mugen was not in stock...rest of bushings we're good on 2003 daily driver...and happy with results///compliance was torn up. I've had poly on other vehicles and didn't care for them....fwiw