Powerflex…is this normal?

[New2RS]

Not easy to see but there is a clear gap between the bush and the arb. The bushes are less than a year old and due to Covid have covered less than a thousand miles. The clamps are also new and the car is jacked up if that makes any difference. Any input appreciated.
Cheers

 

[Bankrupt_drunk]

Not seen it before. It almost looks like they've melted at the top.
They're a pain to do, so gutted for you.
What kind of grease did you use on them?

 

[JackJack]

I'd be contacting powerflex about that, doesn't look right.

 

[dann2707]

Isnt there different sized arbs. Maybe you brunged bushes for the larger arb?

 

[New2RS]

Not seen it before. It almost looks like they've melted at the top.
They're a pain to do, so gutted for you.
What kind of grease did you use on them?

I didn’t do them, I’m well aware it’s a nightmare so wouldn’t attempt on the drive. They come with their own grease as you know so he used that??

 

[New2RS]

I'd be contacting powerflex about that, doesn't look right.

It can’t be right, I would expect it to be a snug fit but I don’t know for sure?

 

[New2RS]

Isnt there different sized arbs. Maybe you brunged bushes for the larger arb?

There are different size arb’s but I’m certain they were correct, 25mm inner and 22mm outer I think. That’s correct for a 182 non cup.

 

[New2RS]

I didn’t do them, I’m well aware it’s a nightmare so wouldn’t attempt on the drive. They come with their own grease as you know so he used that??

The melted look is actually the grease, photo is a bit poor.

 

[npt]

Probably wrong sized bushings but regardless they'd need to be changed, not the best of jobs if you don't have a ramp

 

[Bankrupt_drunk]

I'm going to check mine in the morning...

 

[New2RS]

Probably wrong sized bushings but regardless they'd need to be changed, not the best of jobs if you don't have a ramp

I’ll have to get a vernier calliper on the bar but every mk2 rs model should have 25mm inners.

 

[New2RS]

I'm going to check mine in the morning...

That would be a big help. Cheers

 

[TheBandit]

I remember seeing a thread in which the powerflex bushing had to be cut down as the bushing itself was too big for mount.

Looking at your image, the left side had too much material and he had to cut it down

 

[Darryl_1983]

I had to cut mine down to fit them, but I trimmed the outer side down by a couple of mm (At least), and it was still a very tight fit. Not a job i'd want to do again any time soon, along with the powerflex power steering rack bushes.

 

[Bankrupt_drunk]

This is what mine look like after a year:

 

[New2RS]

This is what mine look like after a year:

Yeah I thought it should look like that. Thanks for that. Looks like I’ll have to get my third set in 4 years.
Would the wear on mine cause knocking (quite loud) going over potholes and speed bumps? There’s still a good amount of material around the arb so would that be enough to prevent a metallic knock?
Cheers

 

[Bankrupt_drunk]

Get a pry bar on it. If you can move it easily then it might cause a knock. If it's solid then you will have to keep looking.

 

[New2RS]

Couldn’t move it against the subframe brace but they flex badly anyway. I’ll have another look. Cheers

 

[TheBandit]

Found the thread: https://cliosport.net/threads/tomotek-182-track-build-here-we-come.748126/page-8#post-11233226

 

[New2RS]

Found the thread: https://cliosport.net/threads/tomotek-182-track-build-here-we-come.748126/page-8#post-11233226

No wonder they’re an absolute b*****d to fit, the amount of material he’s had to remove is ridiculous.
Does anyone other than powerflex produce up rated bushes that fit?

 

[npt]

I'd just fit new genuine Renault ones tbh, they last forever with zero issues

 

[New2RS]

If I can’t resolve the problem that’s exactly what I’ll be doing although now I’ve put the car on the floor the bushes look how they should so who knows. The search continues.
Thanks for all the replies.

 

[Bankrupt_drunk]

Get it to an MOT station with a shaker plate. It's thr best way to diagnose knocks and clunks.

 

[New2RS]

I had to google that to make sure you wasn’t taking the piss! I’ve not seen anything like that locally but I’ll keep an eye out.
Cheers

 

[Bankrupt_drunk]

When i first got my clio i spent ages trying to track down a clunk. I spent ages under the car with a pry bar trying to work out what was loose. The rack bushes, track rod ends, top mounts and engine mounts were all worn, but the major clunk was from the wishbone. I couldn't feel any movement under the car, but i could hear it clearly from the shaker.

 

[Filipe Dias]

I'd just fit new genuine Renault ones tbh, they last forever with zero issues

This.


Just fitted oem ones on mine.

 

[New2RS]

When i first got my clio i spent ages trying to track down a clunk. I spent ages under the car with a pry bar trying to work out what was loose. The rack bushes, track rod ends, top mounts and engine mounts were all worn, but the major clunk was from the wishbone. I couldn't feel any movement under the car, but i could hear it clearly from the shaker.

Sounds like a good piece of kid. Hopefully some local testers have one. Just out interest, was your knock from the ball joint or the inner wishbone bushes?
Cheers

 

[Bankrupt_drunk]

The front wishbone bush. I couldn't feel any movement, but once it was off the car it was obvious it was shot. Replacements cured the issue completely.
The knock was only pulling away and coming to a stop, there were no rattles when driving around so i had convinced myself it was an engine mount or exhaust issue.

 

[New2RS]

Fair enough mate. I’ve just had those done so I’m down to ball joints or top mounts. I’ll get to the bottom of it.
Cheers