How are your Neatrix spring plate Bushings holding up?
 

I've got my suspension apart and am doing the Elephant polybronze bushings up front. For the rear, I am trying to decide between the Neatrix or polybronze.

Did the Neatrix install go easy?
Does the outside of the bushing rotate relative to the cover plate, and does it make any noise or bind? Is a silicone lube appropriate there?
If you did it again, would you consider a different product?
Any guesses as to which would hold up better over time?

I found the neatrix bushings went in easily and seem to be doing a great job. I think they're great for street or street/track applications.

the neatrix i installed feel great, although i've barely covered 500 miles with them.

no special install - i used good 'ol washing up liquid to lubricate on install. no sqeaks or noises so far.

however, if you're goin with polybronze in front why not use the same in the rear?

It seems some people here glue them on and some don't. What's the general consensus? The bushes are meant to deform (twist) rather than rotate, yes?

believe me, those things are a tight fit, and are a bugger to get in - they aint gonna move much. they dont need gluing, imho.

What Rich said, I used a bit of moly grease to help get'm on. They were real tight, I've got about 3,000 miles on them and feel great with no squeeks.

I used the superglue that came with the bushings. The glue was enough of a lubricant for the bushings to just slide right on.

Sounds like a good idea Kurt. I guess you've got to move quick though.

Most definitely. The phrase "He who hesitates is lost" would be most appropriate here.

I would use Chuck's bushings if you have the money to do so.

I have the Neatrix on my car; just finished this up about a month ago. No lube: went in dry. Be sure to run a wire brush in both the bodyside "cup" that will take the bushing and in the same cup on the sprping plate side. Use 1600 wet to prep the inner side, finish with triple 0 steel wool. I am experiencing no squeaks, and frankly I don't think the glue is required - the friction fit makes it pretty tight (time will tell...).

All this said, I think Chuck's solution is very good. I would have gone that route if I had had the money.

John

EDIT: To extrapolate, the surfaces the bushing runs on ought to be very smooth. My theory is that a rough surface, if the bushing is moving relative to the inner/outer surfaces (or both) is going to chew up the bushing and I'd be replacing them sooner. Instead, by making the surfaces smooth without reducing the OD/ID, I let the bushing move with a minimum of wear. If I were to have glued them, I am unsure how the "snap back" of deforming bushings would be any help where a tbar/shock/etc. is really doing all the grunt work there. The bushing, to me, is simply a device to keep the tbar central and prevent cocking of the tbar via deformation of the bushing material. Old bushings show a decided weight wearing, where the central holes have moved upwards and the bushing material deformed sideways and under. That can't be avoided, but I think that Chuck's solution is the best for long-term wear and to get lube in there if that is required (for Chuck's I would guess it is - for the Neatrix? Not so sure...).

I put a set of Netrix's in about 2 years ago and did not use glue. These were great bushings with no noise. Loved them alot. Recently I took off my spring plates to upgrade to SC style / adj. ones and I found that the old bushings had been rotating like MAD on the inside surface area (where they shouldn't be). Replaced them with more Netrix's and used the glue this time. Seems to be working great so far. Would definately recomend them.

I have a set of these bushings (Netrix) that I haven't installed yet. Is it a difficult installation? What is the process?

Get extra long screws for the spring plate cover. You can then use the screws to pull everything together.

I have Neatrix bushings. After a few months, they'd already deformed horribly. I plan to replace them with Chuck's bushings once I can get some cash ahead.

not too difficult to install - try a search theres plenty of info. i used a club hammer to get them on enough to get the std bolts started - didnt need long bolts.

Is it pointless to replace spring plate bushings without doing the banana arm bushings 'while you're in there'?