I fitted Radius Rod Bushes

[pah]

Hi all,

I visited Pedders to get a wheel alignment to reduce rear tyre wear (inside edge of cause). That cost $88 plus $110 to get the suspension cross member aligned. Pedders said that the V8's tend to loose their alignment due to the transmission of extra grunt.

Pedders sold me on their urethane radius rod bushes. They showed me the fore - aft movement of the front wheels under braking. They charged me $340 to supply and fit. The car brakes and turns in a bit better now.

I like sharp steering response and the radius rod bushes seem to help a bit but I'd like a bit more steering sharpness. Maybe lower control arm bushes might help? A heavier rear sway bar would wrok but it would also reduce traction.

Has anybody else had urethane radius rod fitted? If so, what's your experience?





PAH

[Waughy]

Funny that, Pedders did mine this morning on the VT, plus the steering rack bushes which were cactus as well. For me, huge difference, steering is much tighter and braking is firmer too now the front end isn't slopping all over the place. Had a look at the old bushes, they were definitely no good. The guy at Pedders told me they were crap from new as they are an oil filled bush and not much chop at all. Anyway, $400 for the radius rod bushes, steering rack bushes, adjust swaybar link pins correctly (I fitted nolethane ones and had trouble with nuts continually coming loose, see how it goes) and a wheel alignment. Next is a camber kit (which is fitted to correct toe not camber) as my rear tyre are starting to wear unevenly on the inside edges.
As for today's effort I'm happy, as said I noticed a big difference in the steering.

[dms]

In The states, i have done lots of front pedders radius rod bushes. Being a new car dealer, I have had the OEM units rupture on me on an aggressive series of stops. Only had 18 miles on the gTO that they popped.
The OEM bushes are not good for tough driving. they allow too much rear movement of the lower control arm, which can cause major alignment angle changes, and i have related many front tire cupping concerns concerns directly to the OEM bush

On a side note, being able to adjust casters higher, and have a good quality alignment on top makes the bush replacement a no brainer. Also you will notice the brakes will be more responsive

How much were the pedders radius rod bush there, not counting labor or alignment
Here is a link showing a blown out bushing after 18 miles on a 2006 GTO
http://community.webshots.com/photo/520157103/1546134185054308893otKfaK

Mike
dms

[Waughy]

The Pedders radius rod bushes supply only are $285.

[slash]

I've had 'em for over a year now & they are great.

[IIV8II]

In The states, i have done lots of front pedders radius rod bushes. Being a new car dealer, I have had the OEM units rupture on me on an aggressive series of stops. Only had 18 miles on the gTO that they popped.
The OEM bushes are not good for tough driving. they allow too much rear movement of the lower control arm, which can cause major alignment angle changes, and i have related many front tire cupping concerns concerns directly to the OEM bush

On a side note, being able to adjust casters higher, and have a good quality alignment on top makes the bush replacement a no brainer. Also you will notice the brakes will be more responsive

How much were the pedders radius rod bush there, not counting labor or alignment
Here is a link showing a blown out bushing after 18 miles on a 2006 GTO
http://community.webshots.com/photo/520157103/1546134185054308893otKfaK

Mike
dms

Has anybody else ever heard of this? I haven't. You musta got a 'dud'

But yes, good aftermarket ones are usually an improvement

[XLR8 V8]

Has anybody else ever heard of this? I haven't. You musta got a 'dud'

But yes, good aftermarket ones are usually an improvement

Both of mine popped too, but it took a helluva more than 18 miles

[exwrx]

I have the noltec ones and they did make a significant difference to steering and braking.

Try new strut tops, and maybe a VY GTS - VZ clubby linear steering rack which is supposed to be much better than the slushy standard one.

[pah]

What about lower control arm bushes? Are the standard ones mushy? Do they allow the loss of camber when cornering?

Has anybody fitted heavy duty items and do they make a worthwhile improvement?




PAH

[klink]

hi
ive got vx2 ss m6 and i didn't like the body roll that came with the fe2. went to a local suspension place in adelaide and explained my concerns and that i would like it to drive like a gokart.

Solution kings sports low all round
set of outer rear k frame bushes (superpro)
diff mount insert bush (superpro)
30mm HD "signature" swaybar for the front
21mm HD "signature" swaybar for the rear.

extremely good wheel alignment which allows the operater to set the machine manually rather than some that only allow you to setup with in manufacturer specs.

Couldnt be happier with end result slightly firmer than standard but comfy.

[alexcs]

oh jesus, a commode that handles like a go kart!

by slightly firmer, do you mean "knocks the suppository out every bump" :)

[klink]

oh jesus, a commode that handles like a go kart!

by slightly firmer, do you mean "knocks the suppository out every bump" :)

yes very direct and responsive, no it doesnt knock you around cause still using standard shockers so that helps out.

[Ls1CorpCruiser]

Well after 185,000kms just replaced....

Inner and outer control arm bushes
F & R struts and shocks
strut caps & bearings
radius rod bushes
steering rack bush
front tailshaft coupling
LH engine mount

car handles like new!!!

I was really surprised to get so many k's out of the std original parts.

must be the fact that its 85% hwy cruising (City - Apt) and vice versa

:driving:

[Tez82]

Just inspected mine and they appeared to be angled, like there is a bit of stress on them. Bottom bit seems to be pushed in more than the top, they also appear to have some lil cracks but thats just looks like surface cracks not deep... However I am not sure if they have leaked yet, is that a sign ? I bought the kit today for $140 which was bad. Thinking that its most likely a good mod to do to begin with. Is it worth while doing? otherwise i will bring the kit back hehehe.. In the states they seem to say this is #1 thing that should be done :p also anyone in brissy have 24mm deep socket :p

Tez

[VooDoo]

I had the Nolathane ones fited (48166 kit) and chopped it out in under 8 mths. A call to Nolathane had a brand new set delivered overnight (great service) They are available through Repco for around $180 and cost $48 to fit through my Holden dealer. Make sure you tell them want caster setting to use as the first set was set to max +ve where you want max -ve. I took it elsewhere for an alignment.

There is a thread on these somewhere. Well worth the $$ to get fitted and improved braking and steering feel HEAPS.


Freshly fitted

http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Nolathane/dscn2522.jpg

Chopped out

http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Nolathane/DSCN2607.sized.jpg

[Tez82]

Voodoo you mean u want them set to the highest positive, not neg ? ie +1 1/4 caster not -1/2 caster ?

[XLR8 V8]

Just inspected mine and they appeared to be angled, like there is a bit of stress on them. Bottom bit seems to be pushed in more than the top, they also appear to have some lil cracks but thats just looks like surface cracks not deep... However I am not sure if they have leaked yet, is that a sign ? I bought the kit today for $140 which was bad. Thinking that its most likely a good mod to do to begin with. Is it worth while doing? otherwise i will bring the kit back hehehe.. In the states they seem to say this is #1 thing that should be done :p also anyone in brissy have 24mm deep socket :p

Tez


Where'd you get them from for $140??

[Tez82]

Mate got them at repco today they have 25% off storewide so yeah.... took full advantage of the offer :D Now just to get the DBA 4000 slotted for the fronts I am set :0

[VooDoo]

Errrr something like that Tez. I knew it was around the wrong way.

Kris: you fixed yours yet? I have a standard set you can have free. Fit em when you put on those shocks i gave you 12mths ago :)

[Tez82]

LOL yeah thoughtso mate, thinking I might first try +1 castor and yeah see how I go from there... Need to get myself 24mm deep socket before i change it ;) I have heard good things about this mod, so interesting to see what results come from it... Have you fixed up yours yet Stu?

[Tez82]

Just fitted the KIT and dammm you can feel the difference. The stock ones still looked fine, no signs of leaks however reading up on it seems that they leak slowly and you can't actually see if they have leaked. But its true when you have 300hp+ these units are pretty poor as there more for confort ride on a V6 family car.

Holden don't cover them under warrenty unless they actually see it leaking.. I tested the car out today at our shopping centre observing the movement of the front wheel reflection in the windows and dammm the from wheels do move back a fair bit while braking. Once kits installed you can't notice the wheel moving at all... Read up on the boys in the States, they say that this is the #1 mod on the list of things to do.. I agree, for those thinking about doing it "DO IT" hehehehe...

Tez

[grunt33]

i can supply noltec ones for $160 plus shipping if any body wants them

[Avalanche]

1 deg+ castor:errr: Im sure the ava is around 8deg+ castor.