If you think the poly bushes are expensive the OEM ones are £130 each !!!!

they have been discussed here...............

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f75/control-arm-bushings-81586/

 

i swapped both my wishbones over because of this ...i used good condition alloy ones with the bushes from a 98 impreza sti with sti droplinks

 

Would this be what I need?
SUBARU IMPREZA FRONT WISHBONE POLYURETHANE BUSH SET on eBay (end time 10-Oct-10 16:03:29 BST)

 

Hi Deebom, don't do it, unless you are heading for the track:biggrin:.

I fitted a set of Powerflex polys to mine (2 bushes per wishbone, 1 x rear and 1 x front) and now, after a few weeks of driving, I am biting the bullet to replace them with Genuine Subaru jelly doughnuts. The Powerflex bushes are very good at what they do but they will give you a pain in your ar*e, literally.

With the poly bushes the ride will be harsh and noisy even though the steering will be tight again. You will feel every ripple, cigarette butt and bit of gravel through the steering wheel, which on long journeys, is very tiring. Also, you will notice the road noise levels increased.

Try these guys in the US who will export and are much cheaper than the UK dealer prices - https://www.subarugenuineparts.com/catalogs.html. I have 2 sets en route as I type.

 

Just FYI. The metal part on the forester bushings is the same geometry as an "alk" sold for the impreza. If you put an oem one on from an impreza it would basically do the opposite of installing an ALK. The impreza one is shorter so pulls the rear of the control arm upward.

I'd either install a cheap ALK (if you can find one and don't mind the harshness), install replacement bushings in the forester metal bit, or just pick up a set of lightly used oem parts.

 

Sorry to bump this thread everyone, but I'm still having wishbone woes. I've ordered new inner and outer tie rods (this time I know they are the correct ones.)
As I understand it, STI/WRX Impreza alloy wishbones (92/01.) will fit my Foz. My local breakers have a set for £90 and he says the bushes are fine.
Or should I just buy these
Subaru Imperza WRX - STI Front Bush Set Polyurethane on eBay (end time 01-Jan-11 16:51:11 GMT)
and fit them to my steel Forester wishbones?

Or... Buy the alloywishbones and the poly bushes and fit them?
Are the alloy ones worth spending the cash on? Or should I stick with the OEM steelies?
the bloke from the poly bush company says he can do me an entire bush set, all bushings, front and back for £175. Which I'm considering because then I'll have all the bushes I need and can replace them at my lesure next year.
I am really looking for the best value for money. these bushes have been giving me grief for far too long now.

 

Bumpity bump. :biggrin:

 

You may save a little weight with the alloy wishbones and they may even be a bit stiffer, great for track days but not a lot of use and uncomfortable for daily driving. Unless your Forester wishbones are b*ggered and based on what I did and posted about before, I think you will be better off just getting the standard bushes from the link above and putting them in the standard wishbones. If you go the alloy/polyurethene route it might work but then again, it could be an expensive experiment.

 

I have the whiteline ALK with poly bushes and I don't find them uncomfortable. Having said that I wasn't that impressed by the ALK - didn't really notice any difference. I've replaced almost every bush on the car with poly and still find it comfortable and it's much more positive. I like them. I've only really got the rear radius arms (too much bother) and a couple of others left to do.

 

How did you find changing the bushes? Do you have a press? Did you do it in a garage or on the driveway. I would like to do it myself but if it's a long difficult job then I may have to pay someone.

 

All done at Zen. They have a press with all the right size tools already made. I watched - looks easy with a press.....

Probably a total cow without - the WL yellow bushes have no give in them. The trailing arm ones looked really tight but I suppose they have to be..

 

I might be missing something here but don't you just need to replace them with these..?

Subaru Impreza Front Wishbone Bushes in Poly on eBay (end time 17-Dec-10 11:26:51 GMT)

 

Have you read ALL the thread????

 

Sorry to dredge up such an old post, but as I dropped my car off at the workshop this morning for the LPG conversion work to start we also had the car up on the ramps to check the underside.

The rear control arm bushing looked like one end was covered on grease / gunk - except I didnt think that part contained any grease or gunk to leak out??

Should I be worried, or is it just likely to be gunk from elsewhere?? (Will try and get the garage to send a few photos).

The greasy stuff was covering part 14 on the following parts schematic:

http://opposedforces.com/parts/forester/en_s11/type_19/suspension_and_axle/front_suspension/

We also noticed some gunk on one of the track rod ends. Does this part contain any fluid that might leak out when it needs replacing?

Thanks for any info!

Edit - Anyone running the Whiteline ALK bushings? Seems like a sensible swap if the OEM bushes are 130 each. And I suspect even fully polybushed the ride will still be more comfy than my previous Legacy was on uprated springs :icon_biggrin:

 

Bushes 11 &13 are gel filled so it's possible they are leaking. Although it could be just an accumulation of grunge. Clean off and see if it reappears and check for movement.

Trackrod ends are lightly greased under the rubber cover. Anything browny/rust colour coming out would suggest wear and maybe water penetration.
Check for looseness/movement in the joint.

 

The main bush is fine on mine. The castellated 'stopper' bushes are worn and loose though. Are they available anywhere?

mdg.