Polybushes now available
 

Finally.... We can now get poly bushes for the V70 mk III:

https://www.powerflex.co.uk/road-ser...29-3173/1.html

I think the ones particularly of interest to many are the Poly rear trailing arm bush:

https://www.powerflex.co.uk/road-ser...sh+/12423.html

Can we be clear here. Is this trailing link bush intended to prolong the life of that particular fitment to prevent the early failure that the Ford inherited component caused? I'd buy into that when my bushes need replacing. However, I have been involved with other after market poly bushes in the past where the intention was to firm up the ride and it always ended in tears either because the ride was too harsh or that the harshness of the impact on the bush actually destroyed it earlier than an original rubber one would have lasted.

These appear to be replacement bushes not ones for performance enhancement.

I can't speak for other makes but I have always found Powerflex bushes to be of excellent quality, longevity and have not yet had a failure. I have some ARB bushes on my RRS and they are so much better and have outlasted the previous chocolate OE ones by far, without any appreciable impairment to ride quality.

I would use these ones to replace any worn OE ones on my XC70 without qualm.

Lots of evidence about polybushes in the landrover world, some swear by them others at them, know a lot of lads whom tried them, found they did not last as expected and returned to standard rubber bushes.

Thanks for the heads up though, it may be worthwhile and all info is useful.

Paul.

By the simple nature of the material poly bushes will be firmer than standard rubber ones.

Yes, poly bushes are very much down to the individual whether they are a good or bad thing. It's not for me to say how that is for anyone else.

I merely noticed that they are now available, and weren't last time I checked (about a month ago), and felt that the info might be of interest to people.

I highlighted the trailing arm bushing because that is a well known weak point on these vehicles and might be considered a worthwhile trade off by many owners. Again, just for info.

Has anyone actually fitted these?

Since I had my car suspension aligned when I had new tyres fitted I have been suffering from lots of tyre noise from the rear, which I think is sawtooth wear. I suspect that the old bushes are worn, but will get the garage to check when I take it back for them to check the alignment.

If they do need replacing then I will probably try these instead of the genuine rubber ones. Fingers crossed I don't need to, but if I do I will report back...

Tools required
 

Do the new poly bushes require the use of the specialist tool needed to replace the standard rubber bushes or is fitting a much easier process?

Has anyone here actually fitted these to a ph3 V70 trailing arm ?
It'd be good to have some reviews on fitting / ride.

I haven't fitted them to my P3 - yet - however I did fit them to my previous "high miler' Alfa Romeo 159, which didn't like our pothole filled roads of recent years and needed new top wishbones every year for its MOT (cheaper to buy complete wishbones with bearings in than replace them with rubber ones...). The Powerflex purple poly ones lasted three years (and 45,000 miles) before I sold the car on (they were still in great condition). I also replaced the BIG front anti roll bar bushes on that car (with the same Powerflex) and recently the same on my wife's Mini Cooper S R53. I noticed no degradation in ride quality on the Alfa (the Mini is shocking anyway on its runflats), HOWEVER the front wishbone bearings were terribly squeaky with the poly bushes in. This is a known "tendency" and I have now (too late) discovered how to prevent that - a quick wrap around with plumbing PTFE tape before installation. Search for this on Google and you will find full instructions. Fitting for all these bushes was simple and well explained in the accompanying literature, though removing the old bushes could be somewhat tricky...

I wouldn't use PTFE tape where there is movement - eventually I think it will shred under the forces involved. I fitted polyurethane bushes to the anti-roll bar of my Mitsubishi 4x4, and the noise from them was horrendous. It was eliminated by a generous smear of copper grease on the wear surfaces prior to refitting the bushes. That was four years ago, and the remedy is still holding up. No wear at all in the bushes either.