Polybush damper mountings

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Reckless Rat
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Model of Car: 97 1.8mpi in BRG
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Polybush damper mountings

Post by Reckless Rat » Sat Oct 14, 2017 2:33 pm

When I stripped the suspension to have the hydragas on my 'F' re-gassed I also changed the slightly grotty damper mount rubbers for polybushes from Mike Satur. I can hear them squeaking continuously, which I presume is due to tightness in the lower mounts. Last night I notced that the handling had got very jiggly at speed on the motorway (80mph) so the question is...

Should I strip and lubricate with something akin to vaseline, or should I just back off the tightness of the mounting bolts to let things flex a bit more?

B

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talkingcars
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Re: Polybush damper mountings

Post by talkingcars » Sat Oct 14, 2017 9:20 pm

Did you torque to the advised setting or do them by feel?
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Reckless Rat
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Re: Polybush damper mountings

Post by Reckless Rat » Sun Oct 15, 2017 10:13 am

They are just tight. I think I'll have to undo the bolt, give it some what for with some PTFE chain lubricant I've got and then put it back together but not quite as tight as before.

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Reckless Rat
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Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:01 am
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Re: Polybush damper mountings

Post by Reckless Rat » Mon Oct 16, 2017 12:09 pm

Well today I have jacked the front of the car, removed the wheels and lubricated every single joint, damper mounting, drop links, wishbone rubbers, ARB and the top suspension arm has been regreased. Took it out for a spin and it's still squeaking. Bugger!

Going to take the bottom mountings off and will try levering the wishbone to see if the noise disappears at least then I'll have an idea that it's the dampers and not elsewhere. Watch this space

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Reckless Rat
Posts: 1887
Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:01 am
MGF Register Region: Europe
Model of Car: 97 1.8mpi in BRG
Location: South of France - in the Gard.

Re: Polybush damper mountings

Post by Reckless Rat » Mon Oct 16, 2017 6:01 pm

Problem solved. Removed the dampers and the squeak is in the dampers themselves. Nothing to do with the polybushes. New pair ordered.Can't really complain they are the originals and the car is 20yrs old and has done 110K miles...

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RobboMC
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Re: Polybush damper mountings

Post by RobboMC » Tue Oct 17, 2017 2:42 am

A lesson for us all. Always look for an obvious cause first.

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Reckless Rat
Posts: 1887
Joined: Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:01 am
MGF Register Region: Europe
Model of Car: 97 1.8mpi in BRG
Location: South of France - in the Gard.

Re: Polybush damper mountings

Post by Reckless Rat » Tue Oct 17, 2017 10:27 am

They are quiet as a mouse on bump, but squeak like a badly oiled door hinge on rebound. Problem is internal so into the bin they go. I have ordered a pair of Monroe OEM replacements from a French on-line parts supplier which come at 90€ the pair delivered.(£80 in UK beer tokens) That's a lot cheaper than prices given at UK parts suppliers so as they say in Cornwall "Proper job!"

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