Superflex bushes: Heads Up

[jiversteve]

Perhaps an early warning!
I was talking to Superflex today and I got the impression that stocks of Marina related bushes were being run down.
Certainly they were phoning around their stockists for one bush I wanted.

Fitting superflex bushes are perhaps the best single modification that can be done to a Marina that improves handling. So get your orders in now, before they dissapear.
As a bare minimum changing the front tie bar bushes make a significant difference to the steering.

There may be a supply of standard rubber NOS bushes around but the rubber could already be 20 years old.

[Uncle Frank]

Cheers Steve!, ordered some today, as Steve has already said, these bushes make a vast difference to the handling on the front especially, get some spare while you can, hopefully if enough of us order up we can persuade them to think again!

[Kilroy]

Thanks for the alert - and I concur that to lose these excellent parts would be a major blow.
On the strength of that I emailed Chris Witor of Superflex and asked if he was running the Marina lines down.
This was his reply..

>We aim to keep available, as demand is still there
>Chris

So - while I intend to make an order anyway - it may not be a problem yet.

Kilroy

[jiversteve]

My concern came from the fact that they were ringing round their stockists to find the parts I wanted and a vibe from a telephone call.
I dare say that my 'heads up' might have been early, but you never know in the current economic climate.

To add another Superflex bush, not listed by them as a Marina part, but according to Martec and others, Superflex part SF374-0941 http://superflex.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=SF374-0941 or http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-139386POLY though for a Triumph also fits the Marina steering rack.
Ref viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2614&hilit=mods#p26073

Has anyone similar info about anti roll bar bushes, or any others that might be useful to others.

[Philip]

Can someone post up the number so I can order some please. What bushes is it that I would be best to order? Tie bar bushes and any others?

[MarinaCoupe]

Philip

I have posted a link below to the Superflex Marina page, so you can see all the parts and their numbers in one place.

Link

You'll need four bushes for the tie bars SF234-0669K, they come as a kit of 4 for £14.00 plus postage.

[jiversteve]

IMPORTANT. DO BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR AT THE SAME TIME.

Tie bar bushes are an easy fit, probably about 1/2 hour a side once you have the car in the air and the front wheels off.

I would suggest that you also change the Front Eye Bolt bushes F234-1865KSS as well as you will have to take the tie bars off in the process.
They are not an easy job to press into the eyebolt, needing a fairly hefty vice or press and some patience to get them in. Probably about an extra 1 1/2 hours a side. You will need to take care that you do not disturb the torsion bar settings.
So for 5 hours work, the difference in handling will be immediately obvious.

All the others can be left until they are noticeably worn, perished or fail an MOT. But if you are going to tackle the rear springs and hangers do them all at the same time.

[locost_bryan]

Good suggestion, Steve.

Anything to do with suspension or brakes should always be replaced on both sides, for safety's sake (preferably front and rear, as well). If one bush is worn out, some of the others won't be far behind. Also, the new bushes (Superflex or NOS) won't work at their best if another worn bush is taking things out of alignment (and the new bush will wear faster ).