Defender Suspension - are these the wrong bushes?

**Walshy25** · 5th March 2017, 03:41 PM

G'day all, so I recently picked up an affordable full set of shocks, springs and bushes for my 1996 110, they were a new vehicle take off from a Puma when that owner upgraded. Before purchasing I confirmed with MR Automotive that they were a straight swap over and the guys at MR installed it all when I had it in recently for timing belt, tune up and a few other bits and pieces.

I was extremely impressed with the improved on road handling post the replacement of the tired on suspension, however after taking the old girl on its first real offload test at Fraser Island last week, I noticed a reasonable amount of knocking / rattling in the rear when coming out of deeper ruts. It sounded like a loose rear shock, so today I checked it out and I'm thinking there is something wrong in the attached pictures?

I'm not a suspension expert by any means, but shouldn't the rubber bushes be flush up against the shock and there be no space, let alone movement? Both rears are exactly the same with around 15mm of shock showing above the lower bush.

So do I have the wrong bushes (as in the aren't actually a swap from the puma to mine?), are the shocks wrong? I'll chat with the guys at MR tomorrow, but thought I'd get your thoughts.

Thanks in advance

**JDNSW** · 5th March 2017, 03:52 PM

Bearing in mind mine is a lot older, but it has a sort of cup each side of the axle bracket that is not there on yours. I would be very surprised if it had the rubbers (they look right) directly on the bracket, as there is nothing to keep the shaft centred. I think that some bits have been left out!

**Andy130** · 5th March 2017, 04:09 PM

There should be no space between either bush and the suspension mounts. Take it straight back to MR mate.

The bushes look incorrect to me - and you're missing the washers that sit between the rubber and the suspension mount on the axle.

Screen Shot 2017-03-05 at 5.14.30 PM.png

**yt110** · 6th March 2017, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by Andy130

There should be no space between either bush and the suspension mounts. Take it straight back to MR mate.

The bushes look incorrect to me - and you're missing the washers that sit between the rubber and the suspension mount on the axle.

Screen Shot 2017-03-05 at 5.14.30 PM.png

Yes missing the washers and looks to me that the other washers are upside down

**Don 130** · 6th March 2017, 07:53 PM

There are washers missing. Have a look here at the microcat diagram.

Lrcat

Don.

**justinc** · 6th March 2017, 09:09 PM

They are the wrong shocks for your model, the pins are too long. They can be used however if spacers are used above the top bush and washer, and locating washers with early bushes are fitted.
Should be from the top; spacer-washer-bush-locating stepped washer- axle bracket/ hole- locating stepped waser - bush- bottom washer- nut.

Jc

**Walshy25** · 11th March 2017, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by justinc

They are the wrong shocks for your model, the pins are too long. They can be used however if spacers are used above the top bush and washer, and locating washers with early bushes are fitted.
Should be from the top; spacer-washer-bush-locating stepped washer- axle bracket/ hole- locating stepped waser - bush- bottom washer- nut.

Jc

Hi JC,
Thanks for your advice on this appreciate it. I'm a little confused though as MR Automotive have confirmed these are the right shocks (even after sending them this photos this week) and advised that they just made a mistake when fitting them and put the bushes on the wrong way around. They said the concave nature of the bushes will take up that space when fitted the correct way around.

MR sent me another set in the mail FOC and I'm planning on replacing them tomorrow, so I'll keep you posted.

**justinc** · 11th March 2017, 02:36 PM

To be clear if you have the spot welded cups on the lower mounts then yes the shocks are correct. If they have been removed ( pretty common) then you will have to fit normal configuration shocks or use the spacers.

Jc

**Walshy25** · 30th March 2017, 05:36 PM

Hey all, I just realised I forgot to close this thread out. Unfortunately MR sent the wrong bushes as expected, when pointed out they were very quick to resolve and sent out again FOC same day courier, so I couldn't fault that.

Obviously I was frustrated that they got it wrong the first time when I paid them to fit the suspension, and the second time when they reviewed the same photo's I loaded here, but hey 3rd time lucky all solved and I have had some practice fitting bushes

Clunking gone and Lenny is back to normal again, thanks again for your advice guys

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