Wishbone bush replacement

[Guest]

Hi

The front wishbone bushes of my 92k mile car have been described by 9M as "tired". They are still serviceable, but I can feel a bit of instability under braking that was not there before, and I think that this is caused by the wishbone moving as it loads up. However, I cannot justify the £5-600 plus labour to replace the wishbones.

I am sure I have read that someone is now offering replacement bushes at a much reduced cost. I cannot find a contact for whoever is doing this. I would also really like to hear from someone who has had this done to their car, and whether the replacement bushes are any good.

Does anyone have any info on this?

Regards
A

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Alistair,

This is a much discussed subject and the answer very much depends on who is doing the work.

Firstly, the new Porsche wishbones are not as expensive as you think. I paid £161 + VAT per side a year and a half ago when JZ Machtech did mine. The labour is not more than a couple of hours although costs are increased by needing a 4 wheel alignment when the new wishbones are installed.

The Powerflex bushes will cost you around £100 for a set (available from Milford Microsystems , 01865 331 552) but the catch is that the labour involved in extracting the old bushes and fitting the new ones is MUCH more than just fitting the new wishbones. JZM were talking around 4 hours but I did get the impression they just didn't want to do it. Things may have changed in the 18 months since they did mine but it's worth asking the question. Bear in mind that you will still need the 4 wheel alignment too.

If you are doing the work yourself it's a very different matter since the parts costs are considerably different and you can save a couple of hundred easily.

Functionally the Powerflex bushes are said to be a little harder than the OEM bushes although can squeak a little if not lubricated correctly on installation.

Hope that helps.

Regards

Dave

 

[Guest]

Hi, Dave

Yes, it does help!

AFAIK, the reason why Porsche did not offer the bushes for sale is that it did not think that the job was worth doing. Your comment on the amount of work involve makes it seem to me that it was the correct conclusion! From your figures, the difference is only £122, which really is not much (at least, from the point of view of a 911 owner from whose bank account money drains ever-too freely).

I do not want to do the work myself, and I do not what the car any more firmly sprung than it is, so I will try to get new wishbones at a better price than 9M suggested.

Regards
A

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Alistair,

The real reason Porsche do not offer the bushes separately is that there are some voids within the bush moulding which are designed to be aligned correctly with the mounting axis of the bush. Since the internal voids are not visible or detectable there is no guarantee that any subsequent installation would be correct. Obviously the factory have the wherewithall to fit them as designed. I'm sure the DIY'ers amongst us can make a great saving with the Powerflex bushes but you came to the same conclusion as I did.

Regards

Dave

 

[vitesse]

John Holland at Unit 11 Porsche,Warrington does wishbone replacement on an exchange basis using using turned bushes-he is on 01925 852000.(subject of a previous post from me last year).