Marty123

Hi, does anyone know where I can get new rubber top mounting bushes and new rubber top spring seats (anti squeak) for my Mk4 Escort. Ford no longer list them and I don't really want to go down the poly route if possible.
Hope someone can help.
Thanks,
Marty.

Chas

IMHO you will have no choice but to go poly! I would not consider aftermaket rubber ; it IME does not last as long as the stuff from Ford. You could go New Old Stock but how long have they been sat on a shelf? The fronts are out there in the NOS form but I really struggled with the rears.

Up front I would get them from SuperFlex or possible SuperPro (Both use alot of the same parts,although Chris@SuperFlex has started to use some of his own). They/both are about the only poly bush company I know of who put some thought into the design of their bushes and materials. They are about the only poly bush I have had on a car with good location and with improved comfort over stock. Not something you hear about poly bushes everyday . That is from a few cars too, including my old MGB with leaf springs on the rear (that was a near revelation on the rear end!) and on a fully rebuilt Triumph 2.5 PI ; I have not been in a Triumph since that was as poised, tight or comfortable to drive as that despite forums saying 15" wheels ruin ride quality etc.

On the rear you have no choice but to go with Floflex from what I can tell. Superflex did say they would make some but that they would need the numbers to be right to make it worthwhile - When I enquired about buying the rods from him to make one myself he was saying that I could not account for crush loads and initial loads etc. on the bush by simply mocking one up from the original.

Marty123

Hi Chas,
I called in a Ford dealership in Epsom this morning and they managed to locate the bushes at two dealerships, one in Ireland and one in Germany. Will call them and let you know how I get on, these are genuine Ford items, they may have been on a shelf for a while but the ones on the car are the originals (1988) and only now showing signs of wear.
Thank you for your reply, if I don't get any joy, I will follow up your suggestions.
Marty

Chas

You lucky git :P.

When I was at the Ford's part depo my parts chap tried a few different ways of seeing whether Ford still had them in stock (including a system called Ford Obselete?) and had no joy :/).

Fingers crossed that you get them . I was quoted a very cheap price for them as well!

Marty123

The retail price for the shock bushes is only £2 and a few pence including VAT, Also located one in Barcelona as well. I'll let you know if I get them.
Marty.

Chas

If you manage to source 4 let me know . I am not miles away from Solihull either .

Marty123

Wildo, may take a while but I'll let you know.

Marty123

Right. The one dealership in Germany has now sent me the only shock insulator and spring seat they had, one of each. the other German dealership just sent a message that the bushes no longer exist. The Irish and Spanish dealerships still haven't got back to me.
Half way there and still looking, if I can find more Chas, I'll keep you updated.
Martin.

Marty123

The Spanish dealer came up trumps, had one spring seat but no shock insulator. have fitted the bushes with new wishbones, springs and shocks. The offside shock insulator is still in perfect unworn condition so thankfully I only needed the one.
The difference is amazing, also had 5 new tyres fitted by my local Ford dealer for £125 including new valves and balancing. They advised me not to have the Continental tyres I have always used as they tend to wear quickly and can be noisy on certain road surfaces. I went with their recommendation which are also half the price of Contis and they were right, the car is almost whisper quiet on all roads.
It would appear that I have cleared the entire stock of these bushes in the whole of the European Ford dealership network..sorry guys.
Chas, if I hear of some I will let you know.
Martin.