Love to share when I run into unexpectedly large improvements
#1
Love to share when I run into unexpectedly large improvements
This week I decided to treat myself to Polyflex rear anti sway bar bushes, the 4 washer shaped ones that attach the linkage to the axle/whishbone. They are cheap $23.00 so I decided to give them a try.
Now I had replaced my rear sway bar linkage around 1 year ago. Today when I went to do the "upgrade" I was shocked to find the original bushes were all but disintegrated! I've been riding on metal to metal for who knows how long.
I put the new ones on, a really easy job (hint don't jack the vehicle up - full weight on the wheels - it is a 16mm nut, torque to 44 nm), I took her for a test drive.
I had been feeling more body sway than I liked. It happens so gradually I attributed it to "well this is a GT", and pretty much lived with it. Boy was I wrong. The feeling is back - wow I'd have never thought these 4 little toroidal bushes could make such a big difference. They sure do.
Let me put it this way. If you're thinking of how she used to handle a bit tighter, now it seems like the rear swims around a bit, but you're questioning yourself thinking "ah I'm embellishing it in my mind", well take a quick look at your rear sway bar bushes. I was happily surprised at the differnce having a functioning one can make, let alone having a Poly in there.
Hope it helps you too.
John
Now I had replaced my rear sway bar linkage around 1 year ago. Today when I went to do the "upgrade" I was shocked to find the original bushes were all but disintegrated! I've been riding on metal to metal for who knows how long.
I put the new ones on, a really easy job (hint don't jack the vehicle up - full weight on the wheels - it is a 16mm nut, torque to 44 nm), I took her for a test drive.
I had been feeling more body sway than I liked. It happens so gradually I attributed it to "well this is a GT", and pretty much lived with it. Boy was I wrong. The feeling is back - wow I'd have never thought these 4 little toroidal bushes could make such a big difference. They sure do.
Let me put it this way. If you're thinking of how she used to handle a bit tighter, now it seems like the rear swims around a bit, but you're questioning yourself thinking "ah I'm embellishing it in my mind", well take a quick look at your rear sway bar bushes. I was happily surprised at the differnce having a functioning one can make, let alone having a Poly in there.
Hope it helps you too.
John
Last edited by GGG; 11-08-2016 at 03:21 AM. Reason: Edit typo in thread title
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kesslari (11-06-2016)
#3
kstevusa, Here are the bushings I spoke about. Jaguar XK8 XK8R Rear Anti Roll Bar Link Rubbers
Took her for another drive today, it is not placeboo effect. Big smile on my face.
John
Took her for another drive today, it is not placeboo effect. Big smile on my face.
John
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Johnken (11-06-2016)
#6
I hate to be pedantic, but this "sway bar" thing really gets up my nose. It's NOT an anti sway bar, it's an anti roll bar. Swaying is a side to side movement, the anti roll bar prevents body roll. There are no "bars" that prevent sway, none. That is job of the suspension, and anti roll bars are not load bearing parts, therefor not actually a part of the "suspension", just like shock absorbers. Both shocks and roll bars aid the suspension, but once again are not load bearing parts. You can remove all of them and suspension will not collapse.
In short I don't know what improvement Johken is feeling, but I can assure you replacing anti roll bar bushings will not cure a rear end that is "swimming around".
Sorry, rant over.
Regards,
In short I don't know what improvement Johken is feeling, but I can assure you replacing anti roll bar bushings will not cure a rear end that is "swimming around".
Sorry, rant over.
Regards,
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Johnken (11-06-2016)
#7
White bear, thanks for the learning, I think this is one for hose terms that get used so much in some places (I'm from the north east USA) that they become acceptable by default. But believe me I understand where you are coming from. [No, "premise" is not the singular of "premises" I always shout inside my head every time I hear it . .]��.
But don't take what I said the wrong way, I was trying to describe the improvement in felt and tried to put into words. No one should think it cured anything. Just a huge improvement for 20 bucks mate.
Thanks again for teach ing us the difference between theach 2 terms, I never realized.
To Mikey's point, I m going to keep an eye on this
But don't take what I said the wrong way, I was trying to describe the improvement in felt and tried to put into words. No one should think it cured anything. Just a huge improvement for 20 bucks mate.
Thanks again for teach ing us the difference between theach 2 terms, I never realized.
To Mikey's point, I m going to keep an eye on this
Last edited by Johnken; 11-06-2016 at 02:00 PM. Reason: Spell check created nonsense statement
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The only 'Americanism' I dont quite get is 'rocker' (='sill'), but that's the beauty of language
Johnken, thanks for the tip. It was a grovelling around the garage floor day today so I checked mine out. Thankfully, still OK, but good to hear it won't cost yet another kidney to replace them when the day comes.
Mike
#13
hmm... with early cars people used to strap a trunk on the back (e.g. watch Downton Abbey). I can see why calling it a trunk on today's cars makes more sense than boot!
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