Hello,

I'm going to have my front/rear suspension bushings replaced (they're shot) in about a month and, after checking the boards, have not gotten a definitive answer as to who manufactures the highest quality bushings, and to whether or not it's worth going with poly over rubber. I've read a couple of posts that are negative on Scan Tech, and others that haven't had any problems. What about TRW? Who makes the bushings that IPD or Volvo sells? Are there other manufacturers I am missing? Who has the best price?

Any and all responses are greatly appreciated.

-Ron
87 245 200(?)k

Dont get scan-tech they are craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap! I put them on my 84 240 and it has not been a year yet and I already need to replace them. I had the volvo bushing put on my 90 245 and have not had trouble with them in the last couple of years. They might cost more for the volvo bushings but its worth it to me.

did you buy the volvo bushings from a volvo dealer or somewhere else?

The rear trailing arm bushings are a pain to do. If you do them yourself, you'll grunt for several hours. If your mechanic does it, he'll grunt and you'll pay labor. So...put only the best rear trailing arm bushings in -- either Volvo oem or IPD or RPR. I put a set of 'made in Germany' rta bushings which I got from fcp/Groton for about 1/2 the price of Volvo/IPD/RPR into my '87 244, and I had to remove them again after a year. They didn't fit the ears on the axle properly -- I kid you not, I was able to extract them with my thumbs. The bushing hole for the bolt was oversize and relied upon three centering nubbins at each end to keep the bolt centered. They chewed the bolt up within a year.

Get only the best rta bushings because you only want to do this every 8 years/100,000 miles. It's cheaper in the long run.

Rob Kuhlman

Rob,

I had the EXACT same problems with the FCP Groton bushings..they are junk!! Mine lasted about a year too, and I have to replace all of them.

The best (OEM) are boge. The best price is Scantect (fcpgroton). If you do get after market ones, have the (rear) control arm bushings tach welded onto the control arm as they don't fit as well.

The bushings I have purchased from ipd are made by Meyle and the local parts store says that they are made in Germany and I know that they have strict standards. The two types of poly bushings from ipd have no manufacturers name on them. I've been leery of scan tech for critical or time consuming to replace parts. If you replace the ball joints and tie rod ends I would go with either volvo, trw, ZF, or moog. I think trw makes some volvo oe stuff.
--
92 244 lowered, Bilsteins, IPD sways, Unitek cam/header, TSW Revo 18x8's - 94 965 Niiice MONEY PIT! - 76 Datsun 280Z lowered, modified head, cam, headers, intake