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      11-22-2019, 04:33 PM   #1
rborane
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Powerflex differential bushings

Anyone have any feedback or experience with these bushings and either the street or race durometer?

Thinking of getting a set for my M4.
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      11-23-2019, 07:48 AM   #2
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Polyurethane abs Steel

I know it doesn't answer to your question, but I get it why you would choose the polyurethane over the steel bushings. Noise level for steel is minimal and and in a short time your brain learns how to tune it out. Frankly, I don't hear it anymore unless I look for it. I went with the Fall Line Steel Mono-Balls and Rear Upper Arm Steel Bushings ( Diagram 1 & 21). Fall Line is a trusted premier fabricator for M3's and Porsche's race parts, and they know what they're doing over there. IMO, pay a little more and get a superior product w/ great reviews.
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      11-23-2019, 09:43 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jacobe92 View Post
I know it doesn't answer to your question, but I get it why you would choose the polyurethane over the steel bushings. Noise level for steel is minimal and and in a short time your brain learns how to tune it out. Frankly, I don't hear it anymore unless I look for it. I went with the Fall Line Steel Mono-Balls and Rear Upper Arm Steel Bushings ( Diagram 1 & 21). Fall Line is a trusted premier fabricator for M3's and Porsche's race parts, and they know what they're doing over there. IMO, pay a little more and get a superior product w/ great reviews.
Thanks. Was looking to replace those as well front and rear, how do you like them?
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      11-23-2019, 10:48 AM   #4
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Steel Bushings

They're phenomenal. The steering feel of the M3/M4 is already very good to begin with. The Mono Balls takes it to new heights. Aside from the faint humming noise it makes, I now feel more in tune w/ the road. So, if small faint noises bother you, don't get steel bushings. Hope my insight helps you a little. Cheers
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      11-23-2019, 01:10 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jacobe92 View Post
They're phenomenal. The steering feel of the M3/M4 is already very good to begin with. The Mono Balls takes it to new heights. Aside from the faint humming noise it makes, I now feel more in tune w/ the road. So, if small faint noises bother you, don't get steel bushings. Hope my insight helps you a little. Cheers
Thanks. Are those the only rear upper control arm bushings that are made as upgrades for our cars or are there other ones to look at as well?
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      11-24-2019, 09:49 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rborane View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jacobe92 View Post
They're phenomenal. The steering feel of the M3/M4 is already very good to begin with. The Mono Balls takes it to new heights. Aside from the faint humming noise it makes, I now feel more in tune w/ the road. So, if small faint noises bother you, don't get steel bushings. Hope my insight helps you a little. Cheers
Thanks. Are those the only rear upper control arm bushings that are made as upgrades for our cars or are there other ones to look at as well?
I also have the Dinan Rear Suspension Link Kit too. IMO, complements well with the rear steel bushings. Mine feels like an animal during hard breaking and acceleration. Sloppy does not come to mind to describe my suspension set up. Happy Modding 👍
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      11-26-2019, 03:52 AM   #7
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you should get it ~ OEM rear diff bushing is soft as a Tofu, getting ready to rupture eventually. OEM rear diff bushing life reduced significantly on Tuned M4s and M3s. Go with Black Series !! Total lock down rear end feel with much immediate forward momentum when you open up the throttle .
One of the best investment.

I had to replace my Soft ToFu like OEM bushing.
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      11-26-2019, 08:29 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MPOOR View Post
you should get it ~ OEM rear diff bushing is soft as a Tofu, getting ready to rupture eventually. OEM rear diff bushing life reduced significantly on Tuned M4s and M3s. Go with Black Series !! Total lock down rear end feel with much immediate forward momentum when you open up the throttle .
One of the best investment.

I had to replace my Soft ToFu like OEM bushing.
How’s the vibrations or noise with the black series bushings? You did the front ones as well?
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      11-27-2019, 10:30 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MPOOR View Post
you should get it ~ OEM rear diff bushing is soft as a Tofu, getting ready to rupture eventually. OEM rear diff bushing life reduced significantly on Tuned M4s and M3s. Go with Black Series !! Total lock down rear end feel with much immediate forward momentum when you open up the throttle .
One of the best investment.

I had to replace my Soft ToFu like OEM bushing.

Did you replace the bushing yourself? How difficult was it? I have been considering this upgrade, but not sure if I want to tackle it myself or bring it in to BMW.
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      11-27-2019, 11:25 AM   #10
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Hey Bud. I like it! How many hours of labor did the shop charge you for install. Thanks
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      11-27-2019, 09:25 PM   #11
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More pics of this swap would be awesome!
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      11-30-2019, 08:52 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rborane View Post
How’s the vibrations or noise with the black series bushings? You did the front ones as well?
Based on what I noticed I wouldn't say it increases NVH.
It makes the car feel more tight on rear end, when opening throttle.

Yes both front and rear.
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      11-30-2019, 08:54 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brasko View Post
Did you replace the bushing yourself? How difficult was it? I have been considering this upgrade, but not sure if I want to tackle it myself or bring it in to BMW.
I had my shop do it.
I wouldnt recommend DIY rear differential bushing replace, unless you have a fully loaded personal garage.
You will have to remove CF Drive shaft and quit a lot of rear end stuff to drop the Mdiff.
You wil have to remove both rear CV Joints.

I wouldn't visit Stealers ~ I would just have a reputable BMW Indy shop ~ pretty easy maintenance and no reason to pay extra ~ for labor.
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      11-30-2019, 08:58 PM   #14
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Hey Bud. I like it! How many hours of labor did the shop charge you for install. Thanks
shoot. I got it done for free.

If you do it non stop and assuming no surprises ~ I would say about 3 to 4 Hours Job.
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      12-01-2019, 07:13 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MPOOR View Post
I had my shop do it.
I wouldnt recommend DIY rear differential bushing replace, unless you have a fully loaded personal garage.
You will have to remove CF Drive shaft and quit a lot of rear end stuff to drop the Mdiff.
You wil have to remove both rear CV Joints.

I wouldn't visit Stealers ~ I would just have a reputable BMW Indy shop ~ pretty easy maintenance and no reason to pay extra ~ for labor.

Gotcha! Sounds like it could be a PITA if you don't have the right tools and maybe a lift. I'll hold off for now. Might look into this when the OEM wears out.

Thank you for the insight. Much appreciated!
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      12-09-2019, 02:28 PM   #16
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I got quoted roughly 6 hours from my local Indy shop.

If you are dropping the Diff, they recommend changing the Axle Seals while you are in there. No extra charge for the labor, as Diff, Exhaust, Driveshaft are already dropped out.

Still debating whether I want to tackle this on my Quickjack lift. The only piece that is of concern is the press in and out of the bushings. The rest is straight forward.
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      02-01-2020, 07:44 AM   #17
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Hi guys I changed The bushings . I go with The Powerflex bushings The Purple ones. The shop change all of them And The thing is after changing them I have clunk on my driveline every time when I’m on the low gear , or when I’m trying to stop my car I also hear some clunks. I think the clunk noise coming from the transmision . Before on the stock bushing I didn’t hear nothing . What do you guys think ? He did something wrong ? Thanks
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      05-16-2020, 01:39 AM   #18
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Bumping this back up as I'm trying to decide whether to go with the Powerflex street (80A durometer) or ECS tuning bushings (95A durometer). The ECS are the same durometer rating as black Powerflex race bushings. ECS comes as a kit with the turner mount and will be around $300 cheaper than piecing the mount together with the Powerflex.

Any suggestions? I will also be getting the Turner Motorsport dual mount to run 2 diff bushings in the rear instead of 1.

I want the rear not to be overly stiff and jarring on aggressive shifts which is why I am leaning towards Powerflex street. I am DCT as well.
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      05-16-2020, 02:27 AM   #19
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I have the full setup you are after, the Turner dual diff plate and the full set of 4front/2rear Powerflex bushings in the 80a durometer. My logic was that with a dual rear mounting solution with the Turner piece, there was no need to potentially overclock the bushing stiffness. I am so happy I went this route, the rear end feels phenomenal (coming from a v1 oem rear bushing that was torn), there is 0 downside to this setup and I don’t notice any additional NVH or harshness...the rear end just feels locked down in the best way.

One thing I didn’t expect is for my gear shifts to be muchhh more crisp when initially slotting into gear (6spd) with my spec twin disk clutch as it’s a little stiff to get-in-gear in 1st gear. I had been considering Turner shift bushings but these powerflex rear diff bushings fixed the issue entirely

Last edited by RSXDC5; 05-16-2020 at 02:32 AM..
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      05-16-2020, 09:07 PM   #20
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I went with PF street front and rear bushings. Feels like OEM and the poly should not tear like the OEM bushing.
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      05-16-2020, 10:39 PM   #21
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Quote:
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I went with PF street front and rear bushings. Feels like OEM and the poly should not tear like the OEM bushing.
The purple ones, correct? Did you notice an improvement in feel over oem?
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      05-17-2020, 10:17 AM   #22
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Yes purple. Didnt really push the car as i need an alignment. It feels like stock so far.
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