Porsche Suspension Bushings by PowerFlex
Let’s face it, suspension bushings on a Porsche can endure high stress, lateral loads, torsional twist, and thermal cycling, often in harsh conditions with very little maintenance or lubrication. With over 20 years of hands-on experience restoring and upgrading vintage Porsche components, PMB Performance is proud to partner with PowerFlex to address these demands with their modern solutions.
Porsche 911 (1965-1973), 914 (1970-1976) Front Sway Bar Bushings - 16mm
The Porsche 911 models from 1965 to 1973 and the Porsche 914 from 1970 to 1976 feature the Front Sway Bar Bushings - 16 mm as a crucial component in their front suspension systems. Tailored for a 16 mm front sway bar, these bushings—originally made of rubber, with modern replacements often in polyurethane—attach the bar to the chassis, minimizing body roll and enhancing handling precision while absorbing road vibrations. They support the nimble, responsive dynamics that define these early air-cooled 911s and mid-engine 914s. After decades, original bushings can degrade, becoming brittle or worn, resulting in noise, reduced stability, or sloppy steering. Replacing them with high-quality 16 mm bushings is a vital restoration task for enthusiasts aiming to preserve the crisp, authentic performance of these classic Porsches, whether for driving enjoyment or concours preservation.
The Problem with OEM Bushings
Porsche OEM bushings use a rubber compound—typically 60-70 Shore A hardness—that degrades over time. Age and exposure soften it, dropping stiffness by up to 40% within 5-10 years (depending on climate and use). Many aftermarket rubber bushings are even worse as they hit the market with little or no “anti-ozonates” in the compound. This increases compliance, allowing unwanted suspension movement. For vintage Porsches like 356’s, 911’s, 914’s, or 944’s, worn rubber means sloppy geometry, camber and toe shift under load, leading to uneven tire wear, brake shimmy, and vague steering. PMB’s decades of working on and restoring these cars confirms that bushings can be the primary culprit in that “old car” looseness.
The PowerFlex Solution
PowerFlex bushings tackle this with a proprietary polyurethane compound, formulated at 80-85 Shore A hardness—25-30% stiffer than fresh OEM rubber. Unlike generic urethanes that are prone to squeaking or harshness, PowerFlex tunes the polymer’s damping properties to match rubber’s noise absorption (NVH levels within 5 dB of OEM). The result: tighter control over suspension articulation, caster and camber shifts drop by ~20% under 0.8g cornering loads without sacrificing ride quality.
Even new Porsches can gain from PowerFlex’s design. Factory rubber starts compliant; PowerFlex’s higher stiffness and resistance to deformation (tensile strength ~20 MPa vs. rubber’s ~10 MPa) sharpen response from day one. For vintage restorations, PMB’s experience proves these bushings restore precision lost to decades of wear.
Material & Design Specs
-
Polyurethane: 80-85 Shore A, cured to a Tg above 200°F for heat stability.
-
Stiffness Gain: 25-30% over new rubber, verified via static load testing.
-
Fitment: Modeled from OEM Porsche bushings, tolerances ±0.1mm, no mods needed.
-
Options: Street (functional finish) and Heritage (dark grey, OEM-look coating).
Why PowerFlex with PMB?
-
Durability: Polyurethane resists ozone and UV cracking—lifespan triples rubber’s.
-
Control: Reduces suspension play, cuts tire wear, stabilizes braking.
-
Experience: PMB’s 20 years with vintage Porsche 914s, 911s, and 944s ensure fit and function.
