New powerflex “race” bushings came in a few days back. They’re huge. Going to be tough to get them in.
Here’s a comparison between the Powerflex and the discontinued Whiteline race bushings.
The diameter on the whiteline is about 46.45mm while the Powerflex is about 46.20mm. The length for the whiteline is 40.71mm while the Powerflex is 40.31.
The Whiteline obviously features an outer metal race where the powerflex does not.
Both have waffling on the inside bore where the metal inner bushing sits. This is to retain grease. Otherwise they’d squeak horribly. The Whiteline’s waffling is worn and filled, most likely, with “expired” grease. This was my original reason for replacing the bushings on that side. As an experiment, I left one in with krytox performing lube duties. After almost two years, it’s now starting to squeak.
So…the squeak may be inevitable if the waffling is eventually worn or compressed smooth. l could try washing the center bore of the Whiteline out to see if the voids are indeed filled with old lubricant that’s solidified. But the Powerflex waffling has far greater texture to it since they’re new.
Photos! Whiteline on the left.
Textured surface on the Whiteline’s inner bore.
Textured surface on the Powerflex inner bore.
The textured surface, over time, has left marks on the Whiteline’s inner bushing.
Inner bushings compared. Whiteline’s is larger than the Powerflex.
Given the outer bushing and larger inner bushing, the Whiteline bushings probably deflect less than the Powerflex units. The Whiteline material “seems” about the same as the Powerflex (same harness) but the Whiteline has four holes bored on each side of the poly that does not go all the way through. Probably provides a bit of squish.
I may be cursing when I go to install the Powerflex. We’ll see. I do have a press.
