General Car Related Discussion. To discuss anything that is related to cars and automotive technology that doesnt naturally fit into another forum catagory.

Anyone used Flo-Flex bushes

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 30-03-2009, 09:29 PM
  #1  
TrevCos
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
TrevCos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Lincolnshire Home Of The Pothole
Posts: 3,781
Received 20 Likes on 20 Posts
Default Anyone used Flo-Flex bushes

Just noticed these on E-BAY and they seem very good value compared to the PowerFlex ones, anyone got any experience of them and what sort of quality they are? I also like the fact they're all the same colour, whereas you end up with several colours with the Powerflex ones. Of course that's not the main consideration, but is there really that much difference between different sets of poly bushes?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=390020780572

Last edited by TrevCos; 30-03-2009 at 09:30 PM.
Old 30-03-2009, 09:31 PM
  #2  
col cos1
BANNED
BANNED
iTrader: (5)
 
col cos1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: edinburgh
Posts: 6,977
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

they do the job same as any other ones mate ive ran them on my last 4 cossies

only problem i ever have with them is they are forever sending the wrong ones first time round
Old 30-03-2009, 09:34 PM
  #3  
TrevCos
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
TrevCos's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Lincolnshire Home Of The Pothole
Posts: 3,781
Received 20 Likes on 20 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by col cos1
they do the job same as any other ones mate ive ran them on my last 4 cossies

only problem i ever have with them is they are forever sending the wrong ones first time round
Nice one mate, they seem a good buy compared to the Powerflex ones then. I guess they're just not as well known, is that the only difference do you think?
Old 30-03-2009, 09:38 PM
  #4  
paul16v
Monte 087
 
paul16v's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hartlepool
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

There cheap for a reason.
Old 30-03-2009, 09:40 PM
  #5  
Brian
10K+ Poster!!
iTrader: (2)
 
Brian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Essex
Posts: 11,239
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
Default

Didnt they used to be Deflex??


Brian
Old 30-03-2009, 09:53 PM
  #6  
RSandy
Advanced PassionFord User
iTrader: (1)
 
RSandy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 1,949
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

used to be deflex yeh

iv got a defelx/floflex full car kit iv just fitted to my ERST, they dirt cheap, and im gna be honest my front ARB bushes needed to be attacked with the grinder to make them fit, and my rear inner trailing arm bushes didnt fit so i fitted new standard items, but other than that they all fitted 1st time nice n easily, n the overall finish on them is good

ok they probs not gonna last as long as the powerflex items, but thats only a guess. but for the money you cant really go wrong, cheaper than replacing with standard pattern bushes!!
Old 30-03-2009, 09:57 PM
  #7  
slammedorion
PassionFord Post Whore!!
 
slammedorion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 4,774
Received 236 Likes on 210 Posts
Default

Got them on my MK2 Orion, fit well... Done the whole car for just over Ł100 quid... So cant moan, gotta be better than the 20 year old Ford items that were on it...
Old 30-03-2009, 09:59 PM
  #8  
dangerousbrian
Advanced PassionFord User
 
dangerousbrian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: home
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by paul16v
There cheap for a reason.
which is?
ive got them on mine and they fit spot on...would def be shite if they fitted with no problems but they are meant to be tight otherwise they woudnt do the job they sre designed for..fair enough they might not last as long as powerflex but you could get 3 sets of floflex for the mad money powerflex want...
Old 30-03-2009, 10:01 PM
  #9  
stevenebm
post whore
iTrader: (6)
 
stevenebm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: ayrshire
Posts: 5,760
Received 13 Likes on 12 Posts
Default

no experience on a cossie but tried them on my rst.the rear wheel could be shook about by hand when they were fitted.i threw them out and got powerflex and havent looked back.as said i dont know about cos fitments.
Old 30-03-2009, 10:10 PM
  #10  
dangerousbrian
Advanced PassionFord User
 
dangerousbrian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: home
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by stevenebm
no experience on a cossie but tried them on my rst.the rear wheel could be shook about by hand when they were fitted.i threw them out and got powerflex and havent looked back.as said i dont know about cos fitments.
that happened to me aswell but i phoned them up and they sent the bigger ones out... got front and back seperately and as mentioned by someone else they do seem to have a problem in sending the order out correct first time
Old 30-03-2009, 10:11 PM
  #11  
paul16v
Monte 087
 
paul16v's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hartlepool
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Removed from an escort cossie road car, it had been fitted for less then 800 miles.....

Name:  PictureorVideo105.jpg
Views: 1715
Size:  88.6 KB
Old 30-03-2009, 10:24 PM
  #12  
Dan@Rapid-Ford
PassionFord Post Troll
iTrader: (5)
 
Dan@Rapid-Ford's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Dunstable (Junction 9 or 11 of the M1)
Posts: 3,002
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by paul16v
Removed from an escort cossie road car, it had been fitted for less then 800 miles.....

Yep I've got the same kind of picture but yours is a lot worse I took some off a car I bought as I knew they weren't anygood IMO fitted some secondhand powerflex bushes and handling was worlds apart.

With Powerflex you only need to buy once which gives the impression that all bushes are as good as them as they are just poly.
Old 30-03-2009, 10:28 PM
  #13  
nickscunny
Advanced PassionFord User
iTrader: (1)
 
nickscunny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Scunthorpe North Lincolnshire
Posts: 1,610
Received 8 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

thats just made me feel better... lol I just bought a full set of polybushes from powerflex for my rs tubo mk3 cabriolet. I was whinging about the price, looking at the pics above I am glad I didnt get the cheaper alternative now....
Old 30-03-2009, 10:32 PM
  #14  
paul16v
Monte 087
 
paul16v's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hartlepool
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

There just false ecomomy IMO, you may be able to buy 3 sets for the price of 1 set of powerflex ones but you will have to replace them 3 times aswell, buy powerflex fit & forget they will probably outlast the car.
Old 30-03-2009, 10:38 PM
  #15  
dangerousbrian
Advanced PassionFord User
 
dangerousbrian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: home
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by paul16v
There just false ecomomy IMO, you may be able to buy 3 sets for the price of 1 set of powerflex ones but you will have to replace them 3 times aswell, buy powerflex fit & forget they will probably outlast the car.
i havent had any problems as yet but have taken on board what you said and the picture you posted...never thought they would be that bad after that mileage..will see how they go and will def try powerflex if mine end up like those you posted pic of.. if im totally honest i was persuaded by the lifetime gurantee they offered thinking they were as good as any..
Old 30-03-2009, 10:42 PM
  #16  
paul16v
Monte 087
 
paul16v's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Hartlepool
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

The lifetime guarantee that wont be worth the paper its written on if they cease trading and open up under another name........again
Old 30-03-2009, 11:11 PM
  #17  
Lloyd
escort mk4 cossy 4x4
 
Lloyd's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: coventry
Posts: 4,629
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

you only ever get what you pay for .
for a cosworth you need the urethane bushes, ggr or ebay.complete sets available in black.
Old 30-03-2009, 11:18 PM
  #18  
dangerousbrian
Advanced PassionFord User
 
dangerousbrian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: home
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Lloyd
you only ever get what you pay for .
not always true...def not in my trade anyway
Old 31-03-2009, 12:44 AM
  #19  
xr4x4rs
10K+ Poster!!
iTrader: (5)
 
xr4x4rs's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: coventry
Posts: 10,574
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

always used them in the past on my rs turbos and cosworths and not a single problem with them

i now have superflex in mine from burton power and urethane main beam ones

the difference is noticeable by a lot in quality, but thats what you pay for, my superflex inserts are 3-4 times thicker than the deflex ones and the bush is more quality of look

but as i said ive never had problems with the cheap ones, good a for a road car but thats it, any track days id say go better

and the urenthane ones are the bolox if you want a good quality bush for good money
Old 31-03-2009, 05:46 PM
  #20  
tabetha
BANNED
BANNED
 
tabetha's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: uk
Posts: 24,596
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Why are people reffering to "poly" and "urethane" as something different, as in one part of car has superflex and one urethane, it's the same material!!
Superflex are supplied by PRO SPORT, an aussie company who have masses more experience of poly bushings than anyone else, due to hostile nature of the off road market in oz they supply, for desert/outback use.
tabetha
Old 31-03-2009, 06:05 PM
  #21  
DAN400
I've found that life I needed.. It's HERE!!
iTrader: (3)
 
DAN400's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: n Ireland/isle of man
Posts: 1,487
Received 15 Likes on 14 Posts
Default

i ve flo-flex in the rear of my car ,no problems at all so far , touch wood !!
Old 31-03-2009, 09:07 PM
  #22  
xr4x4rs
10K+ Poster!!
iTrader: (5)
 
xr4x4rs's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: coventry
Posts: 10,574
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by tabetha
Why are people reffering to "poly" and "urethane" as something different, as in one part of car has superflex and one urethane, it's the same material!!
Superflex are supplied by PRO SPORT, an aussie company who have masses more experience of poly bushings than anyone else, due to hostile nature of the off road market in oz they supply, for desert/outback use.
tabetha

really

so why are my superflex bushes softer than the urethane ones?

there is agreat deal in stiffness between the 2, i would of had super flex beam bushes but burton didnt have them and i needed a set of bushes asap so went urethane

and looking at the 2 and seeing how still the urethanes are they are not the same, maybe same prcoess in how there made and almost same materials and chemicals but they are different
Old 31-03-2009, 10:04 PM
  #23  
dangerousbrian
Advanced PassionFord User
 
dangerousbrian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: home
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

poly and urethane ARE the same in terms of bushes for cars..= polyurethane.. poly in simplest terms means something that is synthetic....the urethane part of the word is basically describing how strong the synthetics (poly) are.. plenty of poly's about...polystyrene, polycarbonate etc..you actually eat poly in margarine=polyunsaturates..lesson over lol
Old 31-03-2009, 10:45 PM
  #24  
Lloyd
escort mk4 cossy 4x4
 
Lloyd's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: coventry
Posts: 4,629
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by tabetha
Why are people reffering to "poly" and "urethane" as something different, as in one part of car has superflex and one urethane, it's the same material!!
Superflex are supplied by PRO SPORT, an aussie company who have masses more experience of poly bushings than anyone else, due to hostile nature of the off road market in oz they supply, for desert/outback use.
tabetha
urethane is the marketing name given to the high density bushes.next best thing to the original bushes.imo
Old 01-04-2009, 08:02 AM
  #25  
Turbocabbie
Top Cab !!
 
Turbocabbie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: .
Posts: 3,989
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by dangerousbrian
poly and urethane ARE the same in terms of bushes for cars..= polyurethane.. poly in simplest terms means something that is synthetic....the urethane part of the word is basically describing how strong the synthetics (poly) are.. plenty of poly's about...polystyrene, polycarbonate etc..you actually eat poly in margarine=polyunsaturates..lesson over lol
Poly in its simplest terms does not mean something which is synthetic
It is a reference to a substance categorized as a polymer based on its chemical structure. Polymers are molecules which consist of a long, repeating chain of smaller units called monomers. Polymers have the highest molecular weight among any molecules, and may consist of billions of atoms. Human DNA is a polymer with over 20 billion constituent atoms.
Human DNA is not synthetic
Urethane (Ethyl carbamate) is a substance which is an ester of carbamic acid, urethane is not a component of polyurethanes.

Last edited by Turbocabbie; 01-04-2009 at 08:24 AM.
Old 01-04-2009, 10:58 AM
  #26  
Lloyd
escort mk4 cossy 4x4
 
Lloyd's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: coventry
Posts: 4,629
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Turbocabbie
Poly in its simplest terms does not mean something which is synthetic
It is a reference to a substance categorized as a polymer based on its chemical structure. Polymers are molecules which consist of a long, repeating chain of smaller units called monomers. Polymers have the highest molecular weight among any molecules, and may consist of billions of atoms. Human DNA is a polymer with over 20 billion constituent atoms.
Human DNA is not synthetic
Urethane (Ethyl carbamate) is a substance which is an ester of carbamic acid, urethane is not a component of polyurethanes.
very interesting, cheers for that explanation.
Old 01-04-2009, 11:17 AM
  #27  
Ridgey
PassionFord Post Whore!!
iTrader: (5)
 
Ridgey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Warrington
Posts: 4,380
Received 134 Likes on 120 Posts
Default

polyurethane contain the repeating group -NH-CO-O, THAT is why they are described so.
Poly - repeating and urethane - containing the above group.

As already said there are hundreds of thousands of different synthetic polymer compunds with differing mechanical properties. These are all synthesied by using different ingredients (chemicals), under different conditions conditions.

I'm certain all "poly bush" suppliers will NOT be using the same compound structure.

I would suggest that the consensus is that the best Fit/Finish and Life of these products are supplied by Powerflex.
Old 01-04-2009, 11:32 AM
  #28  
Neil@FastFord
PassionFord Post Whore!!
 
Neil@FastFord's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Oldham + Fast Ford
Posts: 4,657
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I have used Deflex...flo-flex. Wasn't massively impressed with the quality and fit, price was the reason i bought.

That was years ago. ALL of my cars run Powerflex bushes, just waiting for the set i ordered for the Puma to arrive.

Based on my own experiences i'd pay the little extra for Powerflex, it's a no-brainer, far better quality. IMO
Old 01-04-2009, 12:06 PM
  #29  
Christian and Beccy
#1 in Spelling Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Christian and Beccy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 23,329
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

I'm not the worlds biggest fan of Polyurethane bushes in any case, but I would only use Powerflex. I believe that they are the best of whats available. I've certainly had to replace some of the bushes on mine due to wear and that doesn't do many miles.
Old 01-04-2009, 12:26 PM
  #30  
dojj
Resident Wrestling Legend
iTrader: (3)
 
dojj's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Little India
Posts: 50,018
Received 258 Likes on 221 Posts
Default

having fitted a variety of bushes to a variety of sierra's and granadas (ok, they are all the same bushes when you think about it but you get the point) the deflex ones were the most problomatic and also the softest

the one set of supaflex ones i fitted were terrible to fit but they were harder than the deflex ones when it came to compression

the powerflex ones were, quite simply, in a different league in terms of ease of fitment and stiffness of construction, and the fact that i've used the same outer tca bushes on 4 different cars over the space of about 10 years just shows that, at least when it comes to poly bushes, you really do get what you pay for

my mate who's had the deflex ones fitted said they were shit, but better than the orignals, but nto by much
Old 01-04-2009, 02:31 PM
  #31  
Lloyd
escort mk4 cossy 4x4
 
Lloyd's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: coventry
Posts: 4,629
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Christian and Beccy
I'm not the worlds biggest fan of Polyurethane bushes in any case, but I would only use Powerflex. I believe that they are the best of whats available. I've certainly had to replace some of the bushes on mine due to wear and that doesn't do many miles.
i guess that was true,untill somebody started making urethane bushes.these are in a different league.
Old 01-04-2009, 03:14 PM
  #32  
It's Czech Mate
............

 
It's Czech Mate's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: West Mids
Posts: 12,970
Received 102 Likes on 88 Posts
Default

Powerflex are by far the best ones. I had some el cheapo ones in a 100bhp fiesta mk5 and ruined them in 6 months, replaced with Powerflex and lasted the rest of the 4 years I had the car.

Everyone slags OEM bushes but to be honest they're good when in 'as new' condition and a million times better than even powerflex in terms of NVH......bu tthat isnt an issue in some applications i guess
Old 01-04-2009, 05:42 PM
  #33  
dangerousbrian
Advanced PassionFord User
 
dangerousbrian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: home
Posts: 1,593
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Turbocabbie
Poly in its simplest terms does not mean something which is synthetic
It is a reference to a substance categorized as a polymer based on its chemical structure. Polymers are molecules which consist of a long, repeating chain of smaller units called monomers. Polymers have the highest molecular weight among any molecules, and may consist of billions of atoms. Human DNA is a polymer with over 20 billion constituent atoms.
Human DNA is not synthetic
Urethane (Ethyl carbamate) is a substance which is an ester of carbamic acid, urethane is not a component of polyurethanes.
i was talking in simple terms regarding bushes for cars! human dna is hardly a simple thing to explain..and you will find that dna can be synthetic anyway if it is modified...there are numerous meanings for the word poly and is often an abbreviation for other words...ie polygon..(multiple sided 2 dimensional shape)..but this is a thread about bushes for cars hence why i said simplest terms...
Old 01-04-2009, 06:21 PM
  #34  
StephenC
..BS Motorsport..
 
StephenC's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Ponte-carlo
Posts: 4,118
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 9 Posts
Default

Has anybody used these, polyrace bushes??
http://www.rallydesign.co.uk/index.p...cugs03od5du7f3
Old 01-04-2009, 06:23 PM
  #35  
Turbocabbie
Top Cab !!
 
Turbocabbie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: .
Posts: 3,989
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by dangerousbrian
i was talking in simple terms regarding bushes for cars! human dna is hardly a simple thing to explain..and you will find that dna can be synthetic anyway if it is modified...there are numerous meanings for the word poly and is often an abbreviation for other words...ie polygon..(multiple sided 2 dimensional shape)..but this is a thread about bushes for cars hence why i said simplest terms...
you attempted to state that poly and urethane in terms of bushes for cars was the same thing and even emphasized the word 'ARE' to clarify your belief. The correct meaning of the term poly and what it means with regards to polyurethane bushes was relevant as your explanation that it meant synthetic and that urethane was related to strength in synthetic materials was not correct.
The chemical components and compound structure which make up polymer based bushes will without doubt differ from each producer of such bushes so understanding the materials in use ensure the understanding that they are not all the same.
Old 10-04-2009, 06:38 PM
  #36  
CozzyKing
Too many posts.. I need a life!!
iTrader: (2)
 
CozzyKing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 801
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I have to say that I have had no problems with the bushes in the past other than 1 set of outer tca bushes for a XR4x4 which were replaced FOC. so all that I can say is if you are on a budget then go for these.

I have had so many other components as prototypes that go into production from Flo-Flex as they seem to be the only company prepared to give things a go that I have to say the company can't be all bad can they.
Old 10-04-2009, 09:38 PM
  #37  
rs2klee
K***LMT
 
rs2klee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Saff East London
Posts: 342
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

i bought mine when they were de flex when it was time to fit them they got one wrong they still changed it but now called flo flex, i was told that they bought out de flex ! my cars fitted with the complete set from front to back, only ones i had trouble fitting was the front anti roll bar ones.. they were a lot larger than the standard ones that came off. as a couple have said due to budget i used these but just for road use and to replace the knackerd ones that were on. im really happy with them so far and stiffend everything up.. done the job
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
gcfcos
General Car Related Discussion.
59
06-10-2015 05:04 PM
DavidK
Ford Sierra/Sapphire/RS500 Cosworth
1
27-09-2015 02:55 PM



Quick Reply: Anyone used Flo-Flex bushes



All times are GMT. The time now is 06:49 AM.