Weltmeister banana arm bushings

elflamo · 12-17-2006, 08:27 AM

Hi all,

quick question on the weltmeister banana arm bushings. The ones I took out had (from the inside out) a metal 'cone' (this what the bolt went through), then a rubber bushing, then another metal cone. The latter sits in the banana arm itself.

Am I correctly understanding that with the weltmeister bushings, I ditch the inner 'cone' and the old rubber bushing? So the bolt sits directly against the new bushing?

Thanks in advance!

Elflamo

Todd Simpson · 12-17-2006, 08:55 AM

Sorry to have to tell you this but toss those hard bushings, they are useless.

First, the lack of an inner metal sleeve means the plastic bushing rides directly on the bolt, wearing the bushing away. In a year or two you'll have significant play in the rear suspension. You'll not only have knocks but the rear wheels will toe out under braking. You'll get some nice unpredictable oversteer.

Second, you want play in those trailing arm mounts as that's how you get negative camber. A rigid bushing there makes no sense, even if it were durable.

The right solution is stick with the rubber bushings or go to monoballs. The monoballs allow all sorts of movement and adjustability for camber but once all bolted up have no play.

The hard weltmeister style bushings can be used at the rear spring plate and on the front A arms satisfactorily though there are other solutions that are better. The rear trailing arm, though, is no place for that style of bushing.

elflamo · 12-17-2006, 09:16 AM

Hmmm, that comes as a surprise... I didn't realise that I had ordered something that wasn't a straight swap in terms of function.

B U M M E R

Any suggestions as to where I can buy proper replacement rubbers that have the same function as the original ones? I'm not really happy re-using the originals, as they are toast.

Thanks for the advice anyway!

Elflamo

elflamo · 12-17-2006, 09:23 AM

OK, our host is selling the original style bushings. My fault was to go for the cheaper bushings (approx $52 per 4) instead of the $48 each... so now I end up paying more after all.

lateapex911 · 09:38 AM

Or just put in a set of monoballs?

Like these:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/ksearch/PEL_search.cgi?command=show_part_page&please_wait=N&make=POR&model=911M&section=SUSprf&page=19&bookmark=25&part_number=ERMP-2011000

Chuck Moreland · 12-17-2006, 09:37 AM

Todd is exactly right. The weltmeister poly bushings should never be used on the trailing arm inner link. The product design concept is flawed and demonstrats a failure to understand how that link operates.

Go with Monoballs or stock rubber bushings only.

avi8torny · 12-17-2006, 12:34 PM

Unless your racing the car, Go with the stock...there easy to press in and offer compliance that the monoballs don't.

elflamo · 12-19-2006, 01:03 PM

Browsing Pelican catalogue, looking for wrong parts to order and foudn this about the Weltmeister banana arm bushings:
"NOTE: Weltmeister Rear Banana Arm bushings have the bushing washers impregnated into the bushing. You do not need to use the OEM washer when using this type of bushing"

Hmm, so I guess that leaves me with the non-flex issue. Seems that wear wouldn't be much of a problem though..

Thanks for your advices!