Bushings fab?

[Acet]

Hey guys,

So i was researching suspension bits and pieces for future purchase. I came across some websites selling poly bushings (rated 75D, 90A, 95A - all hard polyurethane grades) for outrageous prices. I remember counting almost $400 and thats considering they dont have some poly bushings that I need for the M10.

Anyways I opened McMaster and found same grade polyurethane rods of various diameters for fraction of the online prices. So my question is this: Has anyone on here fabricated their own bushings? How much larger should the OD of the bushing be than the ID of the suspension piece for which its fabricated? Same question for the dimensions of the center "guide" which can be installed into the bushings via a press also.

Downside is that McMaster only carries black and amber polyurethane but its whatever if im paying 25% of the market cost.

Anyways what do you guys think?

[SkiFree]

1) This belongs in the suspension section, not the M10 section. PM a moderator to move it for you.

To be clear, your complaining about bushings prices and then asking how to make your own? That's pretty bold good sir. I suggest some materials engineering classes would be in order (or some dang good internet self-education) regarding your inquiry into tolerances. As I'm sure you're aware for things like the swaybar bushings, half the problem are the oem brackets.

In conclusion; I think if you've got the ability then go for it, just be aware that the way you come off indicates you don't have the ability (without meaning to offend you).

[Acet]

I see the forums as a place to share ideas and exchange experience besides other things. Yes, I am not a master fabricator or engineer but what does that have to do with fabricating bushings? To me, its not rocket science and i dont see why extensive training is needed. I do, however, work for an R&D nanotech company for which I fabricate and build projects on the daily basis so I'd consider myself to be at least a slightly eligible candidate.

Also, I ran into people on my bike forums who found replacement options for highly priced parts from mcmaster. More specifically o-rings for carb overhaul rather than paying dealer prices and paying 20x times more. So pushing off of that experience, I just made a thread to get a feel for the project and receive feedback. I'm thankful for yours even though I dont clearly see why you see a problem with what i posted. Or at least you sound like it:

"To be clear, your complaining about bushings prices and then asking how to make your own? That's pretty bold good sir."

Isn't it simply logical to seek a cheaper route to something you find overpriced????

And yes, my apologies for not being an expert on tolerances. In my opinion though, its comments like yours that shut down new ideas and demotivate people from posting and sharing on the forums. I have consulted with the scientist here and he sees nothing wrong with basically cloning a $50 dollar poly part out of identical material for the price of $10.

Anyways this rant is over and if you're able to pay a good penny for a very nice suspension setup, be my guest and do enjoy it. I, on the other hand, cant so i'll stick to my ideas and will provide review of my finished project. Maybe then ill post all answer to the above posted questions so someone in the future car find it useful and utilize it. Good day :)

[SkiFree]

Wowzer, well fair enough then. I think you've misconstrued some things which I'll clarify.

You don't need to be a "master" anything to accomplish what you are looking to do. If you have a basic understanding of what your trying to accomplish and the basic ability to follow through, then you'd be fine. Also, it would be nice to know WHICH bushings you'd like to emulate (this would help you decide to wether you should machine the part from stock or pour the urethane into a mold).

"Isn't it simply logical to seek a cheaper route to something you find overpriced????"

Nothing wrong with looking for a less-expensive alternative, I encourage it. However, as I'm sure you're aware working as a fabricator, much of the final retail price isn't because of raw material cost, but rather the cost to turn that material into an end product. If a given person has the skill-set to make their own and has the time to do so, then go for it!

[Acet]

Sorry man, I didnt mean to come off rude. My apology man, just going though some bumps. You're right though, i need to just do more research online to answer my questions rather than just posting questions.

I plan on starting with tranny mounts, which from what I have gathered, can be fabricated directly from the raw poly rod. The most difficult part that I can foresee here is to select the ideal size rod as the OD variety provided is quite vast. They also provide tolerances and data such as that which can make the selection more precise and accurate. So I plan on ordering the bushings, taking all measurements and then returning the product. Ideally down the road, I'd like to order a ls swap kit from sikky or garrett (i believe) and seeing if I can fab such kit for a lower price.

I know this may sound impulsive but thats what I do at work and have lots of free time, in between bakes for example, to do any fab work I desire. Also, the lab equipment is at my disposal so that makes these ideas possible.

But, you know, thanks a lot for the idea of melting the poly and pouring it into molds. I'm actually about to study how to do that with glass as I'm having to make a glass manifold for testing. So far, I have learned that best material to use for building the mold is cherry wood. Molten glass wont stick to it. Learned that from internet, forums, and talking to people of similar interests. Thats why I post questions here, i believe its a cool way to get ideas.

I'll keep this thread posted about progress and notify the mod to move this thread. Initially I posted here because I was trying to build getrag 240 mounts which I believe are more related to M10 than suspension. Anyways thanks for your input!

[SkiFree]

Well good luck on your project then, but be aware of a couple things.

You can use the E21 transmission mount. There are good aftermarket febi's for under $20 each.

Urethane cannot be melted down then expected to re-harden. It is a two-part compound where in you use a catalyst to initiate an irreversible and unrepeatable chain reaction. You buy it in pre-hardened stock for machining or two-part liquid for casting.

It sounds like you're proposing a bolt-through design which in terms of vibration isolation is not a good design.

[moreoff]

10toes has been making his own transmission mounts.

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[10Toes]

10toes has been making his own transmission mounts.

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I would have helped him util he wrote this.

So I plan on ordering the bushings, taking all measurements and then returning the product. Ideally down the road, I'd like to order a ls swap kit from sikky or garrett (i believe) and seeing if I can fab such kit for a lower price.

At least go measure the stock bushing yourself you lazy fuck.

[moreoff]

I would have helped him util he wrote this.



At least go measure the stock bushing yourself you lazy fuck.

Hahahhaha I didn't see that. Buying and returning just to copy their design is a little fucked up.

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[Acet]

Lol ohh look at you... hardworking man. Doing everything yourself all the time. No need to come here and make yourself look like a righteous perfection in flesh form.

Why would I take measurements of old rubber pieces made out of completely different material? Also, I dunno about you but I was simply getting a feel for this project. I havent removed any pieces yet to even consider measure.

And if returning product was such a big deal, the companies would probably address that, dont you think so?

But yea, without your precious input im clearly destined to fail. How darn sad.

I think after today ill just go fork out some cash to several companies just so you guys can sleep tight. Haha, you clown. Dont like my threads, dont post.

Sounds like youre quite a killer on the phone but chances are when you see them face to face you just leave them alone :)

Now go measure the bushings and report back with your findings


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[Acet]

Go read blue oceans strategy. If a company truly makes a bad ass part, people like me will be a joke to them. Look at garrett turbos... think they care? Hell no, their product is superior.

Plus im wanting to try and fab part for my own use. Not to resell and capitalize so whats the problem?

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[TobyB]

I would have helped him until he wrote this.

Yeah, I'm out, too. because:

I see the forums as a place to share ideas and exchange experience

"sharing" is different than theft.

t

but thats what I do at work and have lots of free time, in between bakes for example, to do any fab work I desire.

[Vivek]

Honestly I spent like half as much as buying them from the retailers just by browsing the FS section and grabbing bushings as they popped up. Brand new IE TABS for a good amount off retail, gently used AKG 75D CABs for like 30 bucks shipped, I got e28 motor mounts for around 65 shipped new for the pair from pelican parts which doesn't apply to you, but retail on m42 mounts is like $100+ each. The only part I put on my car that wasn't brand new was the CABs and those pretty much never wear and are easy to remove without damaging them. I'd say doing that is a hell of a lot easier than trying to make your own. Bolt through tranny mounts will vibrate like fuck and your m10 definitely doesn't need them. CABs and the diff bushing should be fairly straightforward to make, TABs and subframe bushings would be a bit harder because they're slotted and such. But don't copy someone else's R&D, that's like 80% of what you're paying for.

[Acet]

Lol theft of what? Car industry shares ideas overtime, those rotten thiefs!! Smartphones you use share technology, or rather steal according to you. So I invite you to not be a righteous hypocrite and dont use that since its theft. Dont wear clothes made by companies because they all steal each others methods and measurements.

So toby b, feel free to be out. It really makes no difference to me :)

And to finish off, everything after market can be classified as theft in relation to the car producing companies but you dont seem to have a problem with that. Why is that?

Why do people build their own houses when builders have developed these technologies and methods over the years? So if you build youself and not pay builders, youre a thief according to your flawed ass logic.

Anyways this is really becoming entertaining so if anyone else would like to express your morals and righteousness, please do. This thead is obviously becoming a realm where correct individuals can voice their unneeded opinions :) good day







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[Acet]

And please understand your "help" is really not a requirement for me to fab some parts. Its been done before you and it will be done after you ;)

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