My 325's just failed its MOT on a worn control arm bush on one side and a knackered ball joint on the other. So I've just got a new wishbone to put on, now just need a set of bushes.
I put a set of Powerflex ones on my old 325, but I've heard mention of Superflex who do similar poly bushes. Has anyone had experience of these, or any recommendations one way or the other?
I thought I might as well change my ARB bushes while I was under there but I see there are three sizes of bush available - which one will I need?
Control arm bushes - PowerFlex or Superflex?
Moderator: martauto
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 49359
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
I would go with the OE M3 non offset control arm bushes, and for the anti roll bar bushes - the ones that fit your diameter of bar, i.e. measure the bar.
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Jackle
- E30 Zone Newbie
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- Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Tiverton, Devon
Ok, so are the M3 non-offset ones different to the standard 325 bushes then? In what way?
I was going for the poly bushes in the belief that they would be more durable and give a better steering feel - would this be wrong then?
I was going for the poly bushes in the belief that they would be more durable and give a better steering feel - would this be wrong then?
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randomdave325
- Random E30 Nutta
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- Location: in a workshop in devonshire ba!
i also would just use the m3 bushes. they are solid and should in theory last for ever. i would also just use standard arb bushes. just personal preference really. just noticed u are from tiv. i'm a sampford peverell bey. well exeter now but built my car there. as parents still live there. always nice to see a local.
The current fleet!
1990 318iS
1984 528ise
1987 325i sport
1990 325i cabrio
1987 m3 s50b30
'Turning money into noise'
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
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I'm only a half hour down the road as well - near Barnstaple.
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Jackle
- E30 Zone Newbie
- Posts: 208
- Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Tiverton, Devon
I'll have to remember that Brian, could be quite handy having an E30 expert just up the road! 
Anyway back to the bushes, I guess the M3 ones are solid, my only other concern is fitting them given that I've got no special equipment ie a press. I found the Powerflex one fairly easy to do I just clamped the lollypop bit in my workbench and used a hammer to persuade to outside part of the bush to go in, then it's held there by a lip running around the outside on both sides. Would the M3 bush go on as easily, and would it then stay in the right place when I'm putting it on the end of the wishbone?
Anyway back to the bushes, I guess the M3 ones are solid, my only other concern is fitting them given that I've got no special equipment ie a press. I found the Powerflex one fairly easy to do I just clamped the lollypop bit in my workbench and used a hammer to persuade to outside part of the bush to go in, then it's held there by a lip running around the outside on both sides. Would the M3 bush go on as easily, and would it then stay in the right place when I'm putting it on the end of the wishbone?
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Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member
- Posts: 49359
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
A M3 bush should be exactly the same as an E30 one as regards fitting it to the lollipop. (I just use a large engineer's vice), and pushing it on the control arm should be easier, as the rubber won't flex as much. I normally push/twist these on by hand, using a 50/50 mix of washing up liquid and water as the sole lubricant.