Polyeurethane vs Rubber Control Arm Bushings

[Gatsby]

I have an E46 330i (ZHP) sedan. While I do not 'track' the car...I do enjoy driving (with intent).

My question for the faithful is....

Polyeurethane vs Rubber / Front Control Arm Bushings pros and cons for each...

please help so I can make a good decision.

[Avetiso]

Lots of info on this, but poly is more durable, stiffer, but usually costs you comfort.

We have a few great threads on this, if someone can link... I'm in class right now. :shifty

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[QC_ZHP]

Im @ work so no links, but my vote goes towards poly. To me the comfort difference is minimal but the performance gain is noticeable. Polys are much easier to install/remove as well.

I'm sure others who went OEM can provide their insight on rubber

[LivesNearCostco]

I vote poly though I do track the car a few times per year. I think mine started squeaking about a year after installation when the grease dried up. New grease fixed that, and re-greasing is easy if you remove the reinforcement plate. Only reason I'm not sure it was the FCABs squeaking is I also have poly front swaybar bushings and regreased those at the same time.

Poly should last longer but OEM will be quiet without needing any grease, at least until they fail again. I guess good OEM ones should last 3 or 4 years, depending on mileage?

[KevinC]

For a non-track car, I'd definitely go rubber/stock, and just replace them at reasonable intervals.

[Hornung418]

AKG 75D FCABs if you truly want to flog her daily. I had them in my old car. They performed brilliantly!

[stephenkirsh]

There's Z4M control arm bushings. That's what I have. They're solid rubber instead of the stock gel-filled rubber.

Better performance
No ride quality difference
Should last 2-3 times longer than gel-filled
Same or very close to price as stock

The only downside is that you might new an alignment as it will adjust your castor.

[Lanister]

I got a set of AKG Poly (Street) FCABs. They're great. Check my project thread for deets.

Posts #185 and #197

[blalor]

I installed Powerflex bushings on my coupé last night. I couldn't detect any additional noise or harshness over the stock (worn out) bushings.

[TomTomTuning]

I had PowerFlex bushings on my last E46. They solved my problem and I didn't notice any increased stiffness, so I'll probably use them again on the ZHP when ever the time comes. My question is, because the poly bushing are stiffer, does that but any strain on other suspension components?

[Gatsby]

Please send link to threads when you have a moment

[Gatsby]

please send the link to threads when you have a moment

[Lanister]

Just do a quick search, should be easy to find.

[QC_ZHP]

Or just go poly lol.

Are you planning on installing yourself Gatsby?

[Vas]

AKG is backordered for about a week. Once they become back in stock, I am ordering a set for the wifes car.

[ELCID86]

There's Z4M control arm bushings. That's what I have. They're solid rubber instead of the stock gel-filled rubber.

WHo has a prt number for these?

[alexandre]

WHo has a prt number for these?

31107838575 bushings only
31107836862 bushing in carrier left
31107836863 bushing in carrier right

[ELCID86]

Found it. Cross link; http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?5173-Z4M-Solid-rubber-offset-bushings!

[ELCID86]

^ and thanks Alex.

[slater]

i've put these interesting poly FCABs in my imola sedan, and they are great - a really interesting design (the inner sleeve rotates inside the outer poly housing), and are easy to press into an empty 'lollipop' - i removed my old bushings with a sawzall in about 10mins.

i liked them so much, i bought another set for my black coupe, they are going in this week. i got them for $40 shipped per pair!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E46-3-Series-Front-Wishbone-Rear-Poly-Bushing-Kit-X-2-98-05-604-/321369848343?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ad322ba17&vxp=mtr

peter

[ELCID86]

i've put these interesting poly FCABs in my imola sedan, and they are great - a really interesting design (the inner sleeve rotates inside the outer poly housing), and are easy to press into an empty 'lollipop' - i removed my old bushings with a sawzall in about 10mins.

i liked them so much, i bought another set for my black coupe, they are going in this week. i got them for $40 shipped per pair!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E46-3-Series-Front-Wishbone-Rear-Poly-Bushing-Kit-X-2-98-05-604-/321369848343?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ad322ba17&vxp=mtr

peter
Thanks. I'd probably go with the ones in the carrier to avoid cutting and presssing, etc.

[Rovert]

I used Powerflex bushings....they allow twisting and turning that OEM bushings just get ripped to shreds over time. I didn't really feel a huge difference in harshness compared to having OEM ones as well as "heavy duty" OEM versions installed. Powerflex lasted much longer than OEM and even after my ZHP was totaled, I saw that the new owner of my car was selling the control arms and power flex bushings on craigslist...they pictures looked the same as when I installed them new.

This picture is one on an M3...
http://www.beastpower.com/products/powerflex/new/PFF5-4601M3.jpg

[slater]

Thanks. I'd probably go with the ones in the carrier to avoid cutting and presssing, etc.

i pressed them in by hand!

i bought them initially to try because i was curious, and because i'm OK with the cutting.

peter

[Vas]

I am using AKG bushings on the wifes zhp and UUC bushings on my car. Both are poly. Great upgrade over the factory rubber stuff.

[alexandre]

I did with the carrier as well to avoid trouble but if I was redoing it I'd just buy the bushings. Seems pretty straightforward.

[ELCID86]

So is a reciprocation saw needed to extract them? And what keeps them in, friction?

[slater]

So is a reciprocation saw needed to extract them? And what keeps them in, friction?

yes, you cut through the inner bushing material and metal ring, then through the outer ring - just be careful not to touch the housing. takes me 5min per housing (i've done 2 sets now).

the bushings have raised lips on either end and will not move fore/aft in the housing.

peter

[Asiah119]

I have powerflex on my car now. I can't say that there is a significant difference in handling, maybe its just a bit sharper. I had my shadetree guy install them, he was surprised and impressed with how easily they went in. Def would recommend.