Polygraphite Bushing Fitment

PorscheGuy79 · PorscheGuy79's Garage

I have recently purchased some PolyGRAPHITE bushings to install in my SC ilo the very sad and worn out stock bushings. I dont need any of you preaching to me about how I made the wrong decision and should have gone with the other options. I am aware of the pros and cons of both and frankly as far as cost is concerned I chose not to have something inserted in the wrong end of my anatomy, if you get the picture. Im a young guy and 50 bucks vs 400 is a big difference in my book.

That said...the bushings are a bit too tight and wont fit well in the a-arms and the same is true of the rear spring plate bushings. How does someone go about shaving a few mms off of the bushings while retaining the circular shape as much as possible? And is there any way to do this without the use of a lathe? Thanks in advance.

rfuerst911sc · 10-23-2005, 11:18 AM

If you have a belt sander you could carefully shave down the O.D. of the bushings. You could also sand them by hand, slow but could be done. A lathe would be the ticket as the shaving can be controlled. The sanding method needs to be done slowly so you don't take too much material away. Saving money is not a bad thing, not everyone can afford caviar!!! Good luck.

dweymer · dweymer's Garage

Beg Souk to use his lathe, maybe a case of guiness, or fat bastard as a bribe

rexav8r · 10-23-2005, 12:07 PM

Hey, not slammin' here..

I've got a box of the poly graphite in storage to go on as a winter project this year. Poly-bronze is in about 2 years...

I originally bought the p-g for the spring plates as well but got to reading more and decided to go with neatrix... just put some of their bushing goop on there and in they went ! So I've got a left over set of p-g spring plate bushings laying around somewhere in case of emergency... We'll see if I go ahead with the p-g A-arms this winter or what...

BTW, did you see the Excellence article about cutting "grooves" in the p-g A-arm bushings and then tapping a zirk fitting to add grease... Looked like a GREAT way to extend the life of the p-g bushings AND get better performance to boot !

island911 · 10-23-2005, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PorscheGuy79
. .. I dont need any of you preaching to me about how I made the wrong decision and should have gone with the other options. .. .

Yeah, the Gall there.

So what tools do you have? Drill? Belt-sander? Grinder? . . wife/gf's cheese grater?

Zeke · 10-23-2005, 12:26 PM

Any sanding tool, disc grinder, etc. The thing is control. If you can "mount" the bushing on a fat wood dowel (look in the kitchen, there may be a wooden pestle or small rolling pin) then you can hold the bushing against the sanding surface an let it turn in your hands evenly.

For sanding the inside, you can use a drum sander. Once again, if you can "feed" the bushing evenly, you can take an equal amount off all the way around.

Go slow, the plastic gets hot and wants to melt and booger up the disc or belt. Finish up with the finest you can find. The small sanding scratches will actually help hold some grease.

I applaud your opinion that the polygraphite is a useful bushing. I have the Elephant ones and they are easy to work with and a perfect system. That said, the plastic can be installed with precision and be a great product. I had them on my 914 race car (sold) and they are working fine today, from what I hear.

PorscheGuy79 · PorscheGuy79's Garage

Souk should end up finding time for me, I just wanted to see if there was an easier way that I dont have to bother him. Thanks for the replies, I think the best is to let a pro do the job.

PorscheGuy79 · PorscheGuy79's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by rexav8r

BTW, did you see the Excellence article about cutting "grooves" in the p-g A-arm bushings and then tapping a zirk fitting to add grease... Looked like a GREAT way to extend the life of the p-g bushings AND get better performance to boot !

What issue I gotta check that out?

MotoSook · 10-23-2005, 03:00 PM

Yep, it's a matter of time, but they'll be fitted correctly.

Related Note: I do not recommend boring or machining the ID of the bushings. Also, the grease zerk and groove trick works, but I suspect the groove alone will prevent an noise problems (grease helps). Yet, properly fitted, the bushings should not make noise w/ or w/o the groove or zerk fitting.

TOm Butler has these for sale in the classifieds. See the groove and zerk fitting.

rfuerst911sc · 10-23-2005, 03:39 PM

Their not for sale any longer as I just bought them! I hope the groove and zerk fittings keep these from squeeking. Any suggestions on what grease to use?

Eagledriver · 10-23-2005, 05:10 PM

I use regular chassis grease from my grease gun. I put zirk fittings on and no groove and it works fine-the groove would be better though.

Putting zirks on the rear is more problematic. I was only able to lubricate the outside bushing with this method.

-Andy

Zeke · 10-24-2005, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eagledriver
I use regular chassis grease from my grease gun. I put zirk fittings on and no groove and it works fine-the groove would be better though.

Putting zirks on the rear is more problematic. I was only able to lubricate the outside bushing with this method.

-Andy

Right. Only Chuck at Elephant has figured a way to channel grease to the inner side. It involves a long, skinny adaptor to the zerk at an angle.