Thread: Suspension bush life expectancy

Originally Posted by camel_landy

I've used PowerFlex but still prefer OE...

M

and not Super Pro

Originally Posted by 29dinosaur

OK please explain by what you mean by under load.

If you change a normal metalastic bush with the suspension at full droop, ie. jacked up or on a chassis hoist you stress the rubber far too much when the vehicle is at normal ride height and it will shear.

Originally Posted by 29dinosaur

OK please explain by what you mean by under load.

All suspension fittings should only be tightened at ride height ie fit it all together Wheels on the ground and tighten every thing up. Otherwise the new bushes will die

Originally Posted by rick130

and not Super Pro

No but IIRC they're a very similar design...

M

Originally Posted by 29dinosaur

OK please explain by what you mean by under load.

The others have already explained (grandchildren have used all my peak data allowance). However, to reiterate:-
You need to ensure that the suspension is at about the mid point of the movement, and that the bolts are carrying the load on the side rather than relying entirely on the clamping, which is only intended to prevent any movement rather than carry the static load. You do this by putting the load on the wheels and bouncing the vehicle up and down, or even going for a short drive, with the bolts loose. Then tighten them.

Tearing of bushes will only be caused by incorrect installation (can also be damaged by pressing in by the inner tube) or by excess movement from modified suspension, or poor quality material (or deterioration due to oil etc, although this is unusual, as is sunlight deterioration). Much more common, in my experience, is failure due to the inner tube not being clamped, eventually wearing through the side of the tube, and then rapidly destroying the rubber, by which time it has usually damaged both the bolt and the cheek pieces that clamp the inner tube, and of course steering or handling will have long been compromised.

John

Originally Posted by inside

My Superpro kit was about $260 delivered from Paddocks. This was a complete bush kit including front, rear and a frame bushes. Everything except shock bushes.

Thats 1/2 of what I paid to buy in australia. Next time will be paddocks for sure.

There is one thing I have learnt tho is when I used nolathain branded radius rod bushes at the diff end is DON'T mine inside of 12 months has made the inner holes out of round in the bush the steel tube Is fine so is the new bolts I fitted at the same time and I definitely don't have heaps of flex with standard springs and ome 2" shocks that are too short

Originally Posted by 460cixy

There is one thing I have learnt tho is when I used nolathain branded radius rod bushes at the diff end is DON'T mine inside of 12 months has made the inner holes out of round in the bush the steel tube Is fine so is the new bolts I fitted at the same time and I definitely don't have heaps of flex with standard springs and ome 2" shocks that are too short

?? You may need to reword this one, as it makes no sense.