Powerflex Bushing Install
 

Ok...Had a shop install my powerflex lower control arm bushings yesterday and perform an alignment. I explained in detail everything that I have read from this forum and found online, how and what to do. I even gave him specs for alignment just in case his computer didnt have these. They did and we moved on. So heres the outcome. At high speeds it shakes a little, I will be performing balancing of tires today, but in turns at speeds it shakes like it wants to rip the front off, at med to aggressive stops at high speed it is liquid smooth but say from 45-75 mph stopping aggressivly it shakes horrible. If I pump brakes it loads up and proceeds to stop smoothly. If driven normal it performs well but when pushed she just will shake the front badly. The bushings I installed where two pieces with a metal sleave. They had not come with washers for each side of the bushing. I am wondering if they needed to because he said the bushing fits well but there is a gap (tiny on each side) where the sleave is longer than the bushing put together. Should there be play for the bushing to slide or what? I need this resolved. I would love any ideas for other components to change or adjustments we could make. As we all do, I want my x to perform flawlessly and will take any advice that ya'll may have.

A

i have heard not so good things about aftermarket bushings except for meyle. these powerflex bushings will vibrate, but check your balancing of wheels and loosen and retighten the bushings once loaded on the ground. some mechanics hear through one ear and it goes right out the other ear

I dont know too much about powerflex bushings either but logically thinking I wouldn't have thought ANY gaps would be good. The original one's (I think you are talking about the front thrust arm, yes?) have a steel insert through the centre which is fully clamped by the bolt through the middle of it.

If it is the design of the powerflex bushings to be the way you have described ie, with a gap, then it may be that because you have installed a harder (powerflex are apparently harder than OEM, which give a firmer feel (read:feel every bump in the road)) bushing, you have now magnified other minor flaws into major flaws. IF you are talking about the front thrust arms have you looked at the condition of the balljoints? Other than these bushes, are you sure everything else is 100%?