Poly shock bushes

[Ranga]

I've got Superpro suspension bushes al round, except my shocks. I'm about to replace the existing rubber shock bushes, and given my positive experience with the Superpros everywhere else, am thinking about giving poly ago in the shocks.

I've looked at a few other threads, but couldn't find any directed at shock bushes. Anyone care to discuss?

[Pickles2]

Haven't used 'em, but you'll hear HEAPS of favourable comments from those that have, and also from those that have had experience with them and,.........returned to OE bushes.....Your choice.
Pickles.

[dromader driver]

my old plastic bushes crumbled and fell to bits between Toowoomba and Brisbane. new rubber ones ex repco work well.

[roverrescue]

For the pin mounts I run polyurethane bushes on the compression side and rubber on extension.
This is on blistein dampers. On heavy corrugations I found rubber on compression flogging out too quick, a bit of rubber on extension seems to soften some harshness and allows more pin movement which is especially important at the rear.

The rear upper I run Oem rubber bush in the blistein damper

S

[Judo]

Timely thread - I'm exactly the same as you Ranga. Have Superpro all round except shocks. I can't see a reason not to, so I think I'm going to swap to Superpro in the hope of longevity. If the worst case is SLIGHTLY harsher ride based on roverrescue's comments, then it sounds like a winner to me. I'd prefer a slightly harsher ride than having bushes perish prematurely.

I've only just started searching now - found any other useful info in your research? Made a decision yet?

[alanw]

I have just replaced all the bushes in the front end of a 2004 defender 130 dual cab.


They were all original - I have had the vehicle from new. I replaced them with genuine rubber bushes since I thought 300K was a good service run. And there was not much wear at all. Most could have been put back in if necessary.


The steering wobble that sent me in to replace the bushes came down to wear in the top swivel hub bearings.


Also replaced the original front shocks and they needed replacing but the original rubber bushes were in good order. And the original steering damper was replaced altho' it was not in bad condition. Again, the original rubber bushes were still sound.


So I am a little puzzled re comments relating to the short life of rubber bushes. Replacement after 300K of serious work is to my mind very acceptable.

[Shoogs]

I have polys on the front of my 110, and original in the rear, will switch back to rubber shortly, to harsh/firm, clunks and and restricts movement in my opinion.


and original rubbers on Koni Raids for shocks, best IMO...


Tim

[MLD]

cut the cups off the rear axle mount and convert to Toyo 80 series rubber bushes at the axle end. Meaty and better quality than the LR OEM. After 50,000kms with a large portion of that on dirt roads with corrugations they look new. I mention it as an alternative to OEM and Superpro.

You will need locator cups. You should be able to source from Superior Engineering or other suspension places that do conversions for the LR using toyo parts. I sourced mine from Gywn Lewis in the UK.

MLD

ps: I'm a fan of Superpro and use them for all other bushes. Prefer rubber for the shocks and while they give me good service, i have no need to change.

[Judo]

Well now I'm torn! I CBF converting to anything non-standard, but sounds like the pro choice. There is certainly more positive comments for rubber than Superpro. I will do some more chin stroking before I decide. :whistling:

[rick130]

And another alternative, I use GU Patrol rubber bushes for the rebound side of the pin ends of the rear shocks for much the same reason Mark does.
The bump side is stock Land Rover rubber.

I've gotten tricky with the fronts, can't recall offhand what I use on the body/bump side, but they are thinner and urethane to match what I need in closed lengths to keep the shocks from going metal to metal as they are TLC 80 Series fitments re-valved and I only lifted the turrets 7mm where most lift them around 19mm.
I was did this to maximise droop.
The rebound side bushes are stock Koni rubber, I think ?

I'm guessing Super Pro will be fine, but if the bushes are too stiff you'll break the eyes off the rear dampers and bend the bottom pins as there won't be enough give in the bush.
I'm sure most of us have seen either first hand or photo's of broken aftermarket shocks due to the top eye being too small and/too stiff urethane eye bushes.
Part of the problem is the misalignment with the top eye thanks to the angle of the mount.
It sits at a totally wrong angle for a 110/130.

And I'm another advocate for Super Pro most everywhere on a 110/130.