Hey everyone. The parts acquisition phase of my IFS rebuild is nearly complete and I should be getting all the bits back from the powdercoater and electroplaters very soon.

I ordered these from SNG Barrat as they were the only option. I had crossed my fingers and toes that they'd end up being Metalastik bushings as I've read on the forum repeatedly that everything else is rubbish, but alas, they are URO brand. I've searched high and low on the web for Metalastik bushings and have come up empty. I also tried the local Jag dealer but according to their parts dept. they are obsolete.

I've seen Metalastik bushings for sale in just the past few years and in fact the body "V" mounts I also ordered from SNG are branded Metalastik; so have they just recently become NLA? And if so does anyone have experience with URO branded bushes? They're made in Germany which seems like a good sign.

But if someone has a source on Metalastik upper & lower control arm bushings I'll gladly chuck these in the spares bin and order another set..

 

Telephone or email Jack Weston at David Manners, England.
"Jack Weston" <Jack.Weston@davidmanners.co.uk>

He has them and ships everywhere. See LnR's thread in the XJ6 & XJ12 Series I, II & III section. URO and absolute waste of effort, IMO. The lower front wishbone bushes in anything but Metalastik last months if you are lucky.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-c8673-242611/

 

It looks like you can still buy those from the Jaguar Classic Center.

See if you can return the Uro's - you don't want them.

 

Ecbjag,

I've just rung Jaguar. As Thorsen has mentioned, they are quoting prices and also have stock, so not sure what your dealer is telling you. Just order as normal from Jaguar:

https://parts.jaguarlandroverclassic...ting-bush.html

Good luck

Paul

 

I have learned through Bitter experience to be very wary of parts descriptions until I'm proved wrong.

Therefore, having been bitten hard by "inaccurate" soft parts listings and descriptions ("tell this woman anything, she'll never know the difference"), I tend to stick with establishments recommended by those I trust.

Greg's recommendation of Jack Weston of David Manners Ltd. and my very Positive dealings with them has pretty much caused me to Delete all other purveyors of Jaguar rubber parts from my contact list.
(';')

 

Jack is one of those few prepared to go the extra mile, I have encountered the same in Ben at Simply Performance, with Ben he generally offers options and understands that not everyone is into 'OEM' style prices, it helps to know your options ahead of time. Manners and Simply are my go to's - I also use SG Barratt occasionally - they do not stipulate the parts source so you need to ask.

I bought my Metalastik from Simply a year ago and they didn't indicate any issues getting hold of them - I re-ordered a full set after receiving a 'rebuild kit' from a place I won't name (to avoid repurcussions) which absolutely is not OEM, it is in its box where it will stay - lesson learned. Bought with enthusiastic impulse before reading all the horror stories and they're out there trust me - failure within 2000 miles. That isn't to say that the bush was all to blame though - but I'm taking no chances - it is clear from some of the reading I've done that how you set up the front suspension and steering has a massive impact on bush performance.

The crazy thing with the metalastik is it actually feels softer and less 'stiff' than the aftermarket

Which one is Metalastik and which is aftermarket - no cheating - answer on final image ...





It wasn't the pretty one ..... the Metalastik is branded and the internal metal sleeve is centred in the bush, the aftermarket one the metal is all at one end but there should be a depression like the Metalastik - there is a depression but it is all at one end and is much larger than the Metalastik, which may be why these don't last because the pressure from the bolt will not be even - but this is just speculation. The difference in price wasn't insignificant - more than double in fact - still wasn't expensive though by my yardstick

 

Hi.
Check out my post a few days ago reference non genuine bushes.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...s-arms-258491/
lesson learned here.
Rob.

 

I've sent Jack an email since I'm several time zones off from the UK.

Thanks a million for the contact Greg.

Thanks for the effort Thorsen and ptjs1, but those bushings are for the rear radius arms, and I'm looking for upper and lower control arm bushings for the front. I'll be moving on to the rear end soon enough though and it's good to see they're still out there.

LnrB and BenKenobi- I've had great experiences dealing with Ben at Simply Performance too; he's always gone the extra mile to find exactly what I'm looking for. I prefer to get what parts I can from UK suppliers as I've found they're more reliable and oftentimes if you order something from someone here in the US, they have to wait for it to come from the UK anyway. So I'm very grateful for the positive accolades about David Manners, they're certainly on my shortlist going forward.

 

Ecbjag,

My apols, I was just going off the part number on the bag at the bottom of your photo "CAC1635 K". Those are the bushes I'd checked. Sorry for any confusion!

Paul

 

With the help of you all I was able to secure the genuine articles from David Manners. Many thanks. The uppers aren't marked Metalastik but they are made in England so I'm sure they're the real deal. Updates to come as the front subframe comes together..

P.S. Any do's or don'ts on the installation of these guys? The lowers should have equal protrusion from either side of the control arm yes? I was thinking of using either vasoline or red rubber grease; comments? suggestions?

 

Yes, equally each side of the eye on the lower wishbones. The fixed end of the pin can become unfixed, especially with aftermarket pins. I had one come loose which meant I could not tighten the bush/pin assembly to torque using the castellated nut. A bit of weld on the fixed end is a good plan if you are not sure about it. photo attached. The special washers go with their grooved sides nearest the bush.
Red brake piston rubber grease is best to get the bushes into the eye. Buy some top notch aluminium loaded anti-seize grease for the pins where they go through the subframe. This is the absolute best stuff, sticks like s. to a b., never washes out, fantastic. Also use it on V12 spark plug threads.
https://www.cromwell.co.uk/shop/lubr.../p/MLY7035050E
When you are tightening up the bottom pin, the car MUST be on its wheels, by the way. The bushes work by the rubber element twisting/stretching one way or the other as the susepnsion moves, and they MUST be at their mid-point when the car is at its normal height. The special washers hold the metal inner of the bush solidly in place, the rubber does not move against the eye either. The wishbone moves by just the rubber element accomodating the suspension movement by giving enough. So if the pin is tightened up when the car is off its wheels (ie the suspension at full drop, at full bump (ie suspension up into the wheelarch as far as it will go) the bush rubber will tear, and you will have to do it all over again.
This is the reason that aftermarket lower wishbone bushes do not last; as the rubber used is not good enough to accomodate the suspesnion movement and just tears itself to bits. As well as the welded end on my pin, I attach a photo of an aftermarket bush after 4 weeks use! We all only learn the hard way!

 

And, not only on its wheels, but Settled!
So drive it around the block before final torquing to be Sure the suspension is well and truly at it's mid point.
In a very short distance you will see the front drop. THAT is the mid point you want.
Now you can drive it up on ramps and torque it properly.

I can tell you in great and gory detail what happens if you merely set the car on its wheels and make stuff tight.
(';')