Improving the handling on a ute

[Fu Manchu]

It would make a nice difference, well new bushes would.

I had a thicker adjustable panhard rod on my VP which made a nice improvement as well.

 

[Immortality]

The 2 top trailing arm bushes take a lot of abuse.

 

[losh1971]

The 2 top trailing arm bushes take a lot of abuse.

I will have a look next weekend over the pit and see whether i just need bushes or arms. I can't remember if they are folded steel arms or solid like the front. If they are folded then it will be probably pointless replacing bushes in stretched holes, thus the full arm will be the go..

 

[Immortality]

The OEM are pressed steel and yes are easy to warp if you don't take care when pressing the bushes out/in.

 

[losh1971]

The OEM are pressed steel and yes are easy to warp if you don't take care when pressing the bushes out/in.

Probably price up new arms then. Last time i replaced bushes on pressed steel they worked loose after a few years and started to move inside the hole. The diff bush i had tacked in as it too started to move.

 

[vc commodore]

You have bushes in the upper trailing arms and the connecting area of the diff, as well as the bottom arms, where the springs sit.....

So worth checking those bushes out to see if that helps a little more

 

[whiskeytango]

Quick update on this. I mentioned in another thread that I had the panhard rod bushes replaced while the diff was getting rebuilt. Turns out this has made a significant difference to the handling. I wonder now if the trailing arms should be replaced and whether this would improve the handling even more? Or are there other bushes in the rear that should be replaced, which would help with handling?

I did sway bar bushes and new shocks. Feels brand new in the ass and its easy as to do.
If your shocks are still good at least check the bushes.
Needs panhard bushes still so I might get onto that now you mention it.

 

[Fu Manchu]

A new bush always makes a nice difference.