77-308--a-arm bushings--is there a more economical solution than ES?

Not really..And remember The front and rear arm bushings are different..(see Paul Newmans restoration thread to see the bushings).

 

Trouble is..there are different diameters to the bushings. The ones in the front are slightly larger in diameter then the rear (or the other way around I can't remmeber). They will go in with a press..but they are not the correct busing. I hounselty belive that there are differences in the rubber compounds. 1 Reason being is there is much more weight on the rear then on the front.

 

Ferrari rubber bushings differ in load ratings front to rear. Steel bushings are available, simular to rear outer pivots. Maintaince can be issue.

 

The 77 uses the same inner control arm bushing for the front and rear.
As far as a more economical solution,
drive the car with worn out componets.
Or you might price original Ferrari bushings.
If $320.00 for bushings is getting you down,
just wait till the expensive parts replacement pops up!

 

I was involved in the Quantity Discount BUY. I know for a fact that every 3o8/328 we purchased for has the same SIZE bushings front and rear. If you order from Energy Suspension get the same size. DO NOT TRUST what Energy Suspension tells you. They do not know!!! Many of us got screwed in the deal because they told us we had different SIZW bushings in the front versus the back. This is incorrect.

What I will tell you is that Ferrari has different part numbers for the front versus the back but, they are THE SAME SIZE!!! I was told that there composition was different.

Other than Energy Suspensions customer service is terrible, the diffrence in my car when I changed the bushings is NIGHT and DAY. The car is so much better. I reccommend the product....NOT the manufacturer.

The 308/328 series require 16 3101G Bushings.

I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Mark Manzonelli
1986 328GTS

 

Then why are they so different, and why do they have different part numbers?
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Greg,

You are welcome...

Tbakowsky,

That bushing on the right is like nothing I ever saw when I replaced my bushings. It does look to me that they are the same diameter though. Again, I have yet to see any 308/328 that has different SIZE bushings front to rear. Different part numbers... yes, but never different size. I'm not saying it never happened (because you never know what Ferrari does) but I am just saying I have never seen it.

Regards,

Mark Manzonelli
1986 328GTS

 

Mark..There is a 15 thou difference in the diameters of the bushings..and the heights are different as well. There is quite a difference in the bushings from front to rear. The bushings in the pic are direct from Ferrari. This is the reason they have different part numbers. The rubber is also of a different compound to support the exrta weight in the read due to the engine and trans weight. Ferrari made these bushings like this for a reason. There really is zero doubt that the bushings are different.

 

I pulled all my bushings out today and measured them with a caliper. They were all exactly the same and there is no doubt that they are 100% original. Still with that said, I cannot account for the difference front and rear with the Ferrari part numbers.

 

In the past fifteen years of servicing ferrari's, I never removed two different
bushings from a 308(front/rear). The bushing with the shaved sholders was never installed on a factory 308. As for the economical way out, buy a dodge.