Z bar bushes

[Brett McRae]

my vx went in for a service and i was told that the Z bar bushes need replacing how much and i goin to be up for do people think for the bushes and labour to fit them. also how often do the Z bar bushes need replacing on commodores mine has 140 000km
thanks

[sp001in]

probably every 120000k, but go to pedders and get some nolathane ones, then they won't need to be replaced again. standard z bushes a liquid filled. and when you brake they keep everything firm. once the rubber wears, the liquid seaps out and when you brake, even at 10k an hour, your front wheels will literally move forward about an inch.

once replaced with nolathane that final "STOP" will be a bit more abrupt but you can live with it. Pedders quoted $330 to supply and fit. They are not excessively hard to fit yourself however.

[Brett McRae]

haha thanks i might look into that, but the fitting them myself i might give that a miss :P

[Darcon666]

Buy the bushes and fit them yourself...just need a good set of tools.

[moose man]

... and when you brake, even at 10k an hour, your front wheels will literally move forward about an inch...

ummm, that would be move backward.

Also, unless you want to be replacing worn chassis parts in 10 years (expensive), use soft rubber. Nolathane is so hard it wears away the metal around it (not to mention uncomfotable ride).

[Brett_jjj]

Ive used nolothane bushes all around in my VS for over 2 years now.Theres no uncomfortable ride.Thats a myth.They last a lot better than rubber,and the steering,handling and braking all feel a lot more direct and solid..Anyway, its the spring length, size and rate that determine how hard or soft the ride is,the bushes dont have much to do with it.They do slightly thighten up how the vehicle drives and handles,but they certainly dont cause a hard or harsh ride.Maybe if you had heaps low springs AND these bushes fitted, it might feel harsh.But I bet if you fit these bushes with standard springs,the ride is not harsh or hard.I have FE2 springs fitted with them.They havent worn away any metal either,If they were going to do that,you would think there would be some sign of that happening after 2 years.Theres absolutely no wear that Ive seen when Ive removed these bushes when fixing other stuff.The only downside Ive seen with them is they can start to squeak after a while if the person fitting the bushes doesnt use enough of the grease which is supplied with the bushes..

[Dayvo]

Have a look at this "how to" that i posted a while back How To Replace Radius Rod Bushes VT / VZ

[Brett McRae]

thanks for the reply's i have booked the car in for the 4th as for it needs some other work done on it along with the bushes