Powerflex Performance Bushes – Rear Trailing Arm

[thisisfed]

Hi everyone,

I’ve got a "new" 2005 Honda Jazz 1.4 i-DSI that’s developed a creaking noise from the driver’s side rear wheel, especially noticeable at very low speeds.
I’m thinking of fitting Powerflex polyurethane bushes as an upgrade to sort it. Has anyone fitted Powerflex rear trailing arm or beam bushes to a similar GD Jazz (1.2 or 1.4)?
Any recommended part numbers (especially ones that show up on Euro Car Parts) or experiences with fitment and how well they stop the creak?

Thanks in advance!
Fed.

[CRC]

I assume you mean the large bushes on the main "swinging arm axle" that traverses the rear?

I did get an advisory that these bushes on our car were showing signs of small cracks, but when I spoke to the tester he said " don't worry about them, they're not going anywhere"

I did see a YouTube video on someone who decided to replace those bushes with Powerflex bushes, but it turned into a nightmare job as the whole U shaped swing arm has to be taken out, somehow you have to get the old bushes pressed out or more likely cut out, then get the new ones pressed in ( and in his case they didn't fit well) ......  and at the end of it all, he didn't notice any difference in the ride.

Think very hard before you go down that route, search to try and identify the noise and sometimes it's amazing what a squirt of silicon grease can cure.

[vandals01]

I just did the rear axle bushes on my girlfriend's 2014 Honda Jazz IMA 1.3 (at 100K miles).
Apparently, it was an MOT advisory item along with squeaks coming from the rear at low speed.
Since I had the time, and she's away for a couple of days, why not replace it?

The bushes I bought was Delphi TD1931W at £20 each (not Powerflex bushes unfortunately).
Now... The MK1 jazz appears to use a different style of bushing (metal sleeve as opposed to MK2 plastic sleeve).  When I type in my uncle's 2006 Honda jazz registration number, this is the only one came up on AutoDoc: https://www.autodoc.co.uk/gsp/9864519

Problem with metal sleeve is that they are harder to remove and install.  I supposed poly bushes will at least make installation easier.

Process was fairly straight forward.
1. Chock the front wheels, jack up the rear of the car and set it on Axle stands.
2. Remove the rear wheels.
3. Put a jack underneath the rear axle beam and let the jack touches it (in the centre).
4. Remove the Axle bolt on both side.
5. Slowly lower the jack and let the axle beam goes down with it.

At this point, pay attention to the brake hose / parking brake cables and ABS wire.  On MK2, I had to loosen the driver side brake pipe attached to the car's body to give it a bit of slack therefore I wouldn't break the brake hose.  The benefit of this methods is:  You don't need to deal with springs / bleed the brakes and mess with the rusty fittings which might not go back together.

With the bushes dangling in mid air, you can then perform the replacement operation.

A couple of tools you'll need:  A drill & hacksaw at bare minimum.  Preferably a drill with a hole saw attachment say 55mm (to remove the rubber in the old bushing) and a reciprocating saw to put a cut on the metal sleeve therefore you can drive it out.

A set of Bushing installation tool (£45 from ebay) will be helpful even for poly bushing.  (It is a must for others).

The entire process took me 4 hours.  Axle bolt should be tighten at ride height.  I torqued it to 104 nm. 

With the bushing replaces, the squeak is now gone.  An added benefit was noticeable less swaying at high speed.

Before you attempt it, I would recommend a quote from local garage.  If it cost less than £200, I would let garage do it.

[CRC]

Thanks for that, I would say you did very well to do that job in 4 hours especially as I assume you were working on your knees removing and replacing the bushes.

Any problems with the big bush bolts being seized?