SOCTFL Advisory: Lower Wishbone Strut Rubbers (138143)

[Philip Wardle]

If you are planning to buy lower wishbone strut rubbers (138143) SOCTFL recommends members to inspect the available parts as follows before purchase. If sub-standard parts are fitted there will be poor control of suspension geometry and an increased risk of MoT failure.

• Check the shape of the part – it should look like a perfect ball cut in half, e.g. not “pointed” or conical.
• The part should feel very hard, e.g. it should be impossible to compress or distort using hand pressure.

[jleyton]

Hi Philip,

Thanks for this. I really appreciate the efforts that you've gone to recently with all your input on here.

However this advice may have come just a week late for me as I've just replaced mine which failed after less than a year. Unfortunately my new ones are a bit 'conical' so maybe they're the duff ones.

I must admit, I can't imagine one quite like a ball cut in half - is there any chance of you showing a pic of either a 'good' or 'bad' one ?

Cheers

Julian

[Philip Wardle]

Thanks for the suggestion Julian, I'll ask my colleagues if they they can help

[ChasR]

Stupid Q but I assume that you are referring to the drag strut bushes?

[sjm]

Last year a friend of mine purchased a set from a well know supplier which were not correct and was refunded the purchase price and given a £60 voucher towards his costs as he had paid a garage to fit them
I am supprised these items are still about.

Steve

[jleyton]

Stupid Q but I assume that you are referring to the drag strut bushes?

Not stupid at all - I'm glad you mentioned it. Now I've checked the part number I see that you're right, it is the drag strut bush (and Phil's 'half ball' makes sense). I was, incorrectly, thinking that 'lower wishbone' meant the radius arm

Cheers

Julian

[ChasR]

One thing I do wonder is how hard the rubber bushes are in comparsion to good quality poly bushes like Superflex. Still, if good quality rubber bushes are available I do see it as a good thing .

[Philip Wardle]

Thanks ChasR

The good quality bushes are very hard and durable in comparison with poor ones owing to the wholesaler's efforts in analysing and replicating the formulation of the compound. The direct comparison when you hold one in each hand is clear when you try to squeeze them. However I can't answer your question on good quality rubber vs. poly as we've not performed this test.

However, based on the level of enquiries to SOCTFL and info I've seen in various mags and forums since poly bushes became available there's still a demand for rubber from owners reporting greater transmission of shock /noise / vibration with poly. This suggests that there's an optimum hardness that gives a good compromise, i.e. ever harder doesn't equate to better.

I guess this comes down to exactly which make of poly you're using and in what application, e.g. diff mountings seem to be debated quite often. And then there's the 'fit and forget' argument with poly vs. some owners' preference for keeping everything original.

Cheers
Philip

[dasadrew]

One of the known suppliers - no names of course! - writes this in the description of the part:

"Drag Strut Bush in firm pressure resistant rubber. Nicely rounded hemishpere"

nudge nudge, wink wink!

[Philip Wardle]

Hi Philip,

Thanks for this. I really appreciate the efforts that you've gone to recently with all your input on here.

However this advice may have come just a week late for me as I've just replaced mine which failed after less than a year. Unfortunately my new ones are a bit 'conical' so maybe they're the duff ones.

I must admit, I can't imagine one quite like a ball cut in half - is there any chance of you showing a pic of either a 'good' or 'bad' one ?

Cheers

Julian

SOCTFL has taken a photo of good (on the right, more shiny finish, harder to the touch, and a nice hemispherical shape) and bad (on the left). You need to look carefully to see the difference, but it does matter.

bushes.jpg

[Klaus Schlueter]

Who knows where we can buy the correct one?

Klaus