We recently upgraded the Ferrari 360 Modena of Jimmy Broadbent with solid suspension bushes and monoballs as part of Vulcan Alpha’s mission to turn the Prancing Horse into a full-blown track car.
Last week, we flew to Germany to see Misha and the Vulcan Alpha team, and upgrade Jimmy Broadbent’s stunning 360 Modena. Jimmy has big plans for his first ever Ferrari, and the ultimate goal is to turn the V8 into a proper track weapon.
We love this idea because it’s not often you see modern classic Ferraris like the 360 on circuit, let alone one modified for proper track use. So it’s a real privilege for us to be part of this ambitious build.
A few weeks before our trip to the Nürburgring, we’d taken delivery of the 360’s suspension arms. We were tasked by Vulcan Alpha with upgrading the badly perished bushes with solid replacements and fitting spherical bearings (monoballs) to improve handling.
The original rubber parts had definitely seen better days and were contributing to the Ferrari’s inaccurate steering, imprecise handling and general instability. This situation is not unusual on performance cars of this age (Jimmy’s 360 rolled out of Maranello in 2002). However, once it’s corrected with solid bushes and monoballs, the car’s handling responses are dramatically improved on the road and track.
By eliminating the flex caused by rubber bushes, the car’s nose turns into corners in a sharper and cleaner manner. Solid bushes also enhance the clarity of feedback through the steering, while improving stability under heavy braking. Solid bushes and monoballs also help to maintain consistent suspension geometry during hard driving, making the whole car feel more predictable and confidence inspiring.
Ferrari 360 Solid Bushes
All Suspension Secrets upgrades are manufactured in-house, and we couldn’t wait to start designing a brand new range of solid suspension bushes and monoballs for Jimmy’s Ferrari. As the 360 Modena shares its wishbones with the succeeding F430, these new Suspension Secrets parts will also fit the later model.
First, we stripped the 360’s wishbones of old rubber bushes, bearings, circlips and rubber boots before vapour blasting them. This process removes all the old road grime and leaves a beautiful, factory fresh appearance.
We also got to work on CAD building new solid bushes and monoballs that slot perfectly into the Ferrari arms. Once happy with the designs, code was generated by the CAD software and uploaded to the lathes in our recently expanded machine shop.
Each of the 24 solid bush housings and monoballs is crafted from aircraft-grade, billet 6082 T6 aluminium – a material that is more than fit for purpose on road cars. After pressing the new bushes and monoballs into the refreshed arms, everything was carefully packaged ready for our trip to Germany.
Vulcan Alpha Build
During our last visit to Vulcan Alpha, we fitted our Full Kinematics Kit to Misha’s BMW G82 M4 track car. We also equipped Trackspeed’s Porsche 992 GT3 with our Suspension Secrets front camber blocks, bump-steer tie rod ends, and rear solid monoballs (upgrades here).
Both kits were well received by Misha and the Vulcan Alpha team, and it was during this time we announced Vulcan Alpha as a Suspension Secrets trade partner. As part of the agreement, Suspension Secrets also offers Vulcan Alpha’s new range of aerodynamic upgrades for the Porsche 992 GT3, BMW F80/82 and G80/82 M3/M4, and G87 M2.
Ferrari made just 8,800 of its 360 Modena between 1999 and 2004. Just over 1,000 were in right-hand-drive like Jimmy’s car. The Pininfarina styling remains breathtakingly pure, and the 3.6-litre, naturally aspirated V8 sounds as good as ever.
With our new bushes and monoballs installed, Jimmy’s 360 now has a solid foundation – literally – to build on as he targets faster and faster lap times around the Nürburgring. With improved steering precision and stability, this 360 will now give Jimmy more confidence to push on track.
Look out for the Suspension Secrets and Vulcan Alpha – Misha Charoudin videos on the installation released in the coming weeks. You can follow the progress of the Jimmy Broadbent Ferrari 360 here.
SHOP FERRARI 360/F430 SOLID BUSHES & MONOBALLS HERE.
Solid Suspension Bushes – FAQs
What are solid suspension bushes?
Solid suspension bushes replace standard rubber components with metal (usually aluminium) parts, eliminating flex and providing a more direct connection between suspension components.
What are the benefits of solid bushes?
They improve steering precision, handling consistency, and overall stability by removing unwanted movement in the suspension – especially noticeable during hard driving or on track.
Do solid bushes improve lap times?
Yes – by increasing accuracy and feedback, solid bushes help drivers push more confidently and consistently, which can translate into faster lap times.
Are there any downsides to solid bushes?
The main trade-off is increased noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), as there’s no rubber to absorb road imperfections.
Are solid suspension bushes right for your car?
Solid suspension bushes are a great upgrade for drivers looking to sharpen handling and improve overall responsiveness. They’re especially popular in performance and track-focused builds, where precision matters most. On the road, many enthusiasts enjoy the more direct feel they provide, although the experience can be firmer depending on your setup.
