Has anyone used or had experience of PSB (Problem Solving Bushings) for the lower control arm on a Gen 1 MINI? I know that Powerflex is usually the "go to" for these, but PSB are about $40 cheaper. I am about to do a refresh of the steering/suspension components (all ball joints, strut mounts, shocks/struts, etc), and it is starting to get bloody expensive!!!

I know that we shouldn't go cheap with steering/suspension, but if I can save 40 bucks on a part that works just as well as the more expensive alternative, I will. Going Lemforder, and Bilstein for the other parts.

Thoughts?

 

I've researched them some and haven't seen any bad feedback for the most part.

 

Of all the bushings and parts you could pick a cheaper alternative for the Power Flex LCA bushings are not one I would go cheap on.

They are such a PITA to replace. Just my $0.02.

 

Working on anything on our Mini is major PITA , and the vendors/manufacturers know it. That is why everything good is so expensive.

They charge you an arm and a leg, so ars hurts, arm hurts, and leg hurts.

 

Yep, just like NAM my car has a dirty word filter. Lucky for me as there have more than a few times when some very choice words have been uttered.

Which just so happened when I put Power Flex bushings on the front.

 

Thanks, guys. Powerflex it is.

 

I am in the process of installing Powerflex Black (race) bushings for the front. I can tell you I found some vocabularies that I didn't know I have. Flex they don't. Powerstiff is more like it.

 

Yeah I don’t know any people running the black ones because they are so stiff. You will end up feeling everything but the trade off is excellent turn in and out in the twisty turns.

Most people that track cars only use the purple ones because you still need the car to flex and articulate in the turns. The car can be super stiff but you need to still have some flex in the suspension. No flex equals things breaking.

Expect more vibration.

 

We will see. It is a carefully deliberated decision. It is the rear bushing for the control arm. It is not like I have black poly for spring. There is still the tyres that are parts of the suspension. I am one who do not want crazy stiff suspension springs, racy motor mount and lower motor damper. Remember, those bushing serves as pivots for the front lower control arms. The other pivot is a solid steel ball joint on each side. The really hardcore track cars use Delrin for suspension bushings.





As to what brand to get, for the suspension bushings I went with Powerflex. I chose SuproPro for front sway bar and power steering rack to save a few bucks.

 

I forgot to mention that the Powerflex black series is not exactly well advertised. It is rarely used could very well be people simply don't know they exist. Very few vendors sell them. I only found out after doing extensive research. Only if people will honestly write about their experience with their upgrades. Very few do. Some thinks that if they write about negative experience, they cannot sell them in the classified.

 

Yup I 100% agree with you.

 

Powerflex has been the go to because simply they are the best and have proven it over the years. I've been installing them since 2003 and NEVER had a failure on a set. And they have a lifetime warranty if you did. The key is make sure you use all the grease in the packet that comes with the control arm bushings.
We keep them in stock as we install them weekly in our shop as stock control arm bushings can't seem to make it past 40k miles before being loose.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/powerflex/