suspension bushes. what's best?

[Benz]

Hey guys.

Need/want to replace all the bushes in the suspension on my 130 defender as we are taking him around Australia in a little over 60 days.

But what is best?

I'm also changing out the suspension (coils and shocks) in the next month or so also so will do them at the same time.

Will go for some stiffer coils to take the extra weight and some upgraded shocks.
I will keep the 130 at standard height though

Thanks
Ben

[dullbird]

I would encourage you to do a search of this section..there are many threads on bushes...

[Benz]

after a bit of searching I have found plenty of good things said about super pro bushes

[Vern]

Bingo:)

[dullbird]

That's what a lot of us run Benz myself included :)....

I could of just said it but by encouraging people to search you will notice there is a whole world of information all ready on this forum and you might find things that simply don't get answered in your thread if you get what I mean :)

[Benz]

haha I know...

I didn't even think about searching for some reason :(

I'm usually pretty good at searching.

Will order a Kit tomorrow :)

[Ranga]

Hi Benz,
Did you end getting the Super Pro bushes? If so, what's your verdict, where did you get them, and how much did they cost?

[eddy]

I am also contemplating changing the bushes in my 110 and will probably follow you,by using poly bushes.I have not read anything about bolts being rusted into the steel part of the bush.....do they normally just drift out?I seem to remember on my old series back in the seventies that I ended up hacksawing the bolts. Hell of a job during the 'Wet' in NQ.

[isuzurover]

I am also contemplating changing the bushes in my 110 and will probably follow you,by using poly bushes.I have not read anything about bolts being rusted into the steel part of the bush.....do they normally just drift out?I seem to remember on my old series back in the seventies that I ended up hacksawing the bolts. Hell of a job during the 'Wet' in NQ.

Beware - SuperPro are completely different to all other (LR) poly bushes on the market - in that they are much more compliant.

I would NEVER fit anything other than Super Pro or OEM rubber bushes to a coiler landy of mine.

IME it is less common on coilers for the bolts to be rusted to the inner bush tubes.

[Ranga]

Beware - SuperPro are completely different to all other (LR) poly bushes on the market - in that they are much more compliant.

I would NEVER fit anything other than Super Pro or OEM rubber bushes to a coiler landy of mine.

IME it is less common on coilers for the bolts to be rusted to the inner bush tubes.

So, what's the pros/cons of the Super Pro over the traditional rubber?

I know MR Auto as a general rule don't fit nylon bushes, and I've heard of others who refuse to use them.

[isuzurover]

So, what's the pros/cons of the Super Pro over the traditional rubber?

I know MR Auto as a general rule don't fit nylon bushes, and I've heard of others who refuse to use them.

Note that no suspension bushes are Nylon!!! Nylon does not flex. they are rubber or polyurethane.

IME Super Pro both last longer AND are more supple than rubber bushes available today.

Funny you should mention a specific company. I bought some rubber bushes from them before the canning. I was told "We purchase these items from the a UK wholesaler who sources these items from the OE manufacturer. We can confirm they are OE and we certainly have had no issues with them"

These pics show them after ~2000(RA bush) and ~4000 km (TA Bush). The RA bushes failed completely in the middle of the canning.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/12/256.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

All the bushes were replaced by Super-Pro and they are still all like new.

[modman]

Super-pro all the way
Use plenty of the grease it stick to everything!!
I get mind from fulcrum/super-pro in Preston Vic
They will sell to public
Was cheaper than mr auto, apt ect.....
Helps I could pick up
Make sure you get the performance radius arm to chassis bushes
They have a radial groove and 45* arris(sp?) on the leading edge as well as a built in metal face ( where meets chassis)
If your after a whole kit check ebay uk and google super-pro Europe distributers
The kits are honestly half price !!
Don't forget to remove vat from uk suppliers if not mentioned and postage costs
Last time I checked shopping round I could get a full vehicle kit delivered for about$350 (performance, no castor correction)
David

[uninformed]

Note that no suspension bushes are Nylon!!! Nylon does not flex. they are rubber or polyurethane.

IME Super Pro both last longer AND are more supple than rubber bushes available today.

Funny you should mention a specific company. I bought some rubber bushes from them before the canning. I was told "We purchase these items from the a UK wholesaler who sources these items from the OE manufacturer. We can confirm they are OE and we certainly have had no issues with them"

These pics show them after ~2000(RA bush) and ~4000 km (TA Bush). The RA bushes failed completely in the middle of the canning.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/12/256.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

All the bushes were replaced by Super-Pro and they are still all like new.

Ben, I recently had it pointed out to me by Lowranger and the retailer in the UK I have been using that OEM is NOT Genuine

Genuine = Genuine LR part manufactured by the original company that supplied that part to LR for original assembly

OEM = a part supplied by a OEM for motor vehicles, that is to say if they make, supply parts for a particular vehicle, they then can be reffered to as OEM even when supplying other parts for other vehicles that they may not have supplied to the original vehicle manufacture.

AM = just that, aftermarket. Usually cheap and average quality when talking simple parts, but could also be used to describe Ashcroft etc, which would not fall into that catagory.

oh and +1 on super pro.

[Ranga]

Anyone got a direct link to the actual kit I need - a bit confusing for a numpty like me! I'm thinking of doing all the bushes at the same time. Those that are still usable can go into the emergency spares box.

[inside]

There's three kits depending on year:

KIT0043AK | SuperPro Polyurethane Bush Kit - Wide Radius Arms (http://www.paddockspares.com/kit0043ak-superpro-polyurethane-bush-kit-wide-radius-arms.html)
KIT0043CK | SuperPro Polyurethane Bush Kit - Defender from 2002 - Wide Radius Arms (http://www.paddockspares.com/kit0043ck-superpro-polyurethane-bush-kit-defender-from-2002-wide-radius-arms.html)
KIT0043BK | SuperPro Polyurethane Bush Kit - Defender to 1993 - Narrow Radius Arms (http://www.paddockspares.com/kit0043bk-superpro-polyurethane-bush-kit-defender-to-1993-narrow-radius-arms.html)

Or use the Superpro vehicle checker thingy. SuperPro Suspension Parts | Poly Bushings | Suspension Bushes | Sway Bar Bushing Kits | Biggest range of polyurethane suspension parts, bushings and bushes including swaybar and sway bar kits manufactured in Australia. (http://www.superpro.com.au/)

I have Superpro bushes, not many kms on them yet so I'll see how they go over time.

[isuzurover]

Ben, I recently had it pointed out to me by Lowranger and the retailer in the UK I have been using that OEM is NOT Genuine

Genuine = Genuine LR part manufactured by the original company that supplied that part to LR for original assembly

OEM = a part supplied by a OEM for motor vehicles, that is to say if they make, supply parts for a particular vehicle, they then can be reffered to as OEM even when supplying other parts for other vehicles that they may not have supplied to the original vehicle manufacture.

AM = just that, aftermarket. Usually cheap and average quality when talking simple parts, but could also be used to describe Ashcroft etc, which would not fall into that catagory.

oh and +1 on super pro.

Serg, read my quote again. I was told they were produce by the OEM manufacturer of LR suspension bushes to the same quality as OEM (this was over several emaiuls, not just the quote above).

[uninformed]

Roger that Ben, and I certainly was not defending them. IMO the term OE or OEM is getting thrown around with it being taken/used as Genuine, when in fact it is something else.

I recently purchased OEM swivel balls, they are not genuine.

[Ranga]

There's three kits depending on year:

KIT0043AK | SuperPro Polyurethane Bush Kit - Wide Radius Arms (http://www.paddockspares.com/kit0043ak-superpro-polyurethane-bush-kit-wide-radius-arms.html)
KIT0043CK | SuperPro Polyurethane Bush Kit - Defender from 2002 - Wide Radius Arms (http://www.paddockspares.com/kit0043ck-superpro-polyurethane-bush-kit-defender-from-2002-wide-radius-arms.html)
KIT0043BK | SuperPro Polyurethane Bush Kit - Defender to 1993 - Narrow Radius Arms (http://www.paddockspares.com/kit0043bk-superpro-polyurethane-bush-kit-defender-to-1993-narrow-radius-arms.html)

Or use the Superpro vehicle checker thingy. SuperPro Suspension Parts | Poly Bushings | Suspension Bushes | Sway Bar Bushing Kits | Biggest range of polyurethane suspension parts, bushings and bushes including swaybar and sway bar kits manufactured in Australia. (http://www.superpro.com.au/)

I have Superpro bushes, not many kms on them yet so I'll see how they go over time.
Of those links to Paddocks, I'm not sure if I have wide or narrow radius arms :confused::eek: Also, are Paddocks still a PITA to deal with, i.e. slow to provide quotes, exorbitant shipping costs?

[Vern]

I'd say wide arms. I ordered some bits from them 12 days ago, they arrived today.:)

[Loubrey]

Of those links to Paddocks, I'm not sure if I have wide or narrow radius arms :confused::eek: Also, are Paddocks still a PITA to deal with, i.e. slow to provide quotes, exorbitant shipping costs?

Hi Ranga,

Unfortunately yes...

They'll take your money for the transaction, wait 2 weeks and quote you more than the original purchase for freight.

Learned my lesson though... bought 3 complete sets (left and right, brackets and all) mud flaps for the 90. The package cost $102 (money out my bank account) and 11 days later they quoted my $90 shipping. Still cheaper than one set over here though... might even sell a set or two on

Group buy or something extra to make it worth the effort if you want to deal with them...

Cheers,

Lou

[inside]

From memory I paid 270 AUD delivered for my kit from Paddocks. Took about a week.

[110 Pete]

Note that no suspension bushes are Nylon!!! Nylon does not flex. they are rubber or polyurethane.

IME Super Pro both last longer AND are more supple than rubber bushes available today.

Funny you should mention a specific company. I bought some rubber bushes from them before the canning. I was told "We purchase these items from the a UK wholesaler who sources these items from the OE manufacturer. We can confirm they are OE and we certainly have had no issues with them"

These pics show them after ~2000(RA bush) and ~4000 km (TA Bush). The RA bushes failed completely in the middle of the canning.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/12/256.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

All the bushes were replaced by Super-Pro and they are still all like new.

Same thing happened to me.:mad: They literally lasted 2 weeks then I got extreamly bad death wobbles. I replaced with super pros and the are still intact after over 4000KM :o:wasntme:

Cheers

Pete

[Yorkshire_Jon]

I have just replaced with LR rubber after previously using OE rubber.

Why?

Well the OE rubber didn't seem to last 5 minutes. I've had Orange Poly-bushes on a previous defender but always preferred rubber for touring because of availability, maintain standard parts etc.

I'm convinced rubber isn't what it used to be!

If the LR rubber doesn't last long, SuperPro will be going back in.

Sent using Forum Runner

[jboot51]

Super Pro can be ordered through SuperCheapAuto.

I got my Super Pro from APT Fabrication, ordered and picked up from Ben the next day.

For the price the UK is selling it for, you could carry a whole kit for spares.

Is it still an Australian made product????

[modman]

Still Aussie made dut cheaper to export back to Oz:mad:
Fulcrum suspension own superpro so are usually cheaper if you can pick up

Make sure the kits you buy have the radius arm to chassis performance bushes
Part/kit no. SPF3632K
That bush is the icing on the cake
David

[uninformed]

Still Aussie made dut cheaper to export back to Oz:mad:
Fulcrum suspension own superpro so are usually cheaper if you can pick up

Make sure the kits you buy have the radius arm to chassis performance bushes
Part/kit no. SPF3632K
That bush is the icing on the cake
David

Dave, I take it there are 2 different performance bushes for RA, for the early and late type arms.....

[dullbird]

I went to buy from supercheap and it was really pricey I found it cheaper to purchase form the superpro guy on ebay bought for both my disco and my puma on there not as cheap as buying from the UK but it was delivered in under a week and I didnt have to wait for freight quotes..

$350 for the full set guy is based in brisbane

[modman]

Dave, I take it there are 2 different performance bushes for RA, for the early and late type arms.....

That no. Is for the later type arms ( wider axle end bushing as well)
I rolled a newer diff under the front recently and changed to the wider type arms
Did superpro throughout at the time
Honestly can't remember if the arms had a bigger pin.
I recall they had differing threads
Kept the skinny arms in the shed with holey bushes;)
I still want to try the skinny arms in a later housing with misalignment spacers at the axle end to test articulation (that's bills influence)
David

[Ranga]

So, my VIN is SALLDKHF7MA958100. What kit would I need, cause buggered if I can work it out!

[jboot51]

KIT043AK

same as I used. my vin is M year model aswell

or KIT043AADJK for the castor correction bushes instead of standard

http://www.superpro.com.au/find-superpro-parts-for-my-vehicle/vehiclelookup/LAND-ROVER-Landrover-90-110-130-Defender---County---LA---YA-Chassis-County---Defender-300TDI--LA-On---TD5-YA-On/35-243-1256?listMake=35&listModel=243&listSeries=1256&series=002

[Ranga]

KIT043AK

same as I used. my vin is M year model aswell

or KIT043AADJK for the castor correction bushes instead of standard

Find SuperPro Parts for My Vehicle (http://www.superpro.com.au/find-superpro-parts-for-my-vehicle/vehiclelookup/LAND-ROVER-Landrover-90-110-130-Defender---County---LA---YA-Chassis-County---Defender-300TDI--LA-On---TD5-YA-On/35-243-1256?listMake=35&listModel=243&listSeries=1256&series=002)

Thanks. How do I tell if I need the castor correction bushes?

[jboot51]

Apparently You should only need Castor correction if you have bigger than 50mm lift in the front.
Using standard bushes with +50 mm springs in mine I ended up with +3 degrees castor which is factory.
If it drives ok on the road now then normal castor bushes should be ok.
This bloke explains well.
Castor correction bushes and Arms for land rover & how to change them. - YouTube

I've got a small press here if you need + the impact sockets I used to push the old bushes out.

[Ranga]

Thanks jboot51 :)

I find myself shaking my head, wondering how an Australian-made product can be had from Paddocks for 2/3 the price of local suppliers. I can only assume economy of scale, or not comparing apples with apples.

At this stage, it looks like I'll be putting an order through to the UK.

[jboot51]

I'd like to think the price is due to volume of sales.

With regard to Castor, that wasn't the vid I was thinking of.
Basically correct Castor will make the steering basically feel safer, you can feel the road.
Incorrect castor will make you feel nervous with twitchy steering.

Analogy-
good Castor-pushbike, front fork creates castor, downhill 60km/h no problems.

bad castor-kids tricycle, handlebars go straight down to wheel, 0 castor, same scenario, I'd be scared.

I replaced all the suspension bolts while I was at it.
Probably no need to, but you should replace the nyloc nuts.