Thread: Suspension bushing kits

I've read a lot of posts this weekend about "rubber vs poly" and I get the impression that replacing all the bushes with poly is not necessarily a good thing.

It's the engineering "principles" I'm trying to latch onto (I'm not an engineer...maybe that explains it) in order to understand pros and cons of such a swap...

are poly bushes worth it?? - ScoobyNet see post by "harvey"of 20 July 2007...especially the bit about diff noises never heard before, being transmitted through to the cabin when he switched to poly bushes...



Suspension Mounts - Rubber Vs Polyurethane read post by rayray086

90 Series - Polyurethane bushes • Land Cruiser Club and Forum The European Landcruiser club ...seem to be a very civil mob judging from their posts
On page 2 there's a long post by "blackwidow" praising the swap to Super Pro polybushes on his vehicle: but he is now expressing concern that the less flexible poly bushes are transmitting larger stresses and he's wondering about potential cracking...


It's a good deal for the kit... but I am also wary of the "law of unintended consequences" ...I'll pass this time around thanks.

Originally Posted by Hoges

There is another factor not so far addressed : i.e. the state of the rubber bushes used between the chassis and body... logic dictates that they must also play a considerable role in reducing the "conductive" shock through the body from corrugations/broken bitumen and other irregularities in the road surface...

Thoughts?

cheers

Never even knew they were there, let alone an issue!

Help us understand more... might be a next step/buy if enough ppl have a need or desire to do them?

Q. Are they be located at the points I might want to put body lift spacers in?

Originally Posted by DT-P38

Never even knew they were there, let alone an issue!

Help us understand more... might be a next step/buy if enough ppl have a need or desire to do them?

Q. Are they be located at the points I might want to put body lift spacers in?

yep and yep AFAIK there's 8 of them. Obvioulsy if the rubber hardens then the vibration trnasmitted will be increased significantly...

Originally Posted by Hoges

I've read a lot of posts this weekend about "rubber vs poly" and I get the impression that replacing all the bushes with poly is not necessarily a good thing.

It's the engineering "principles" I'm trying to latch onto (I'm not an engineer...maybe that explains it) in order to understand pros and cons of such a swap...

are poly bushes worth it?? - ScoobyNet see post by "harvey"of 20 July 2007...especially the bit about diff noises never heard before, being transmitted through to the cabin when he switched to poly bushes...

Suspension Mounts - Rubber Vs Polyurethane read post by rayray086

90 Series - Polyurethane bushes • Land Cruiser Club and Forum The European Landcruiser club ...seem to be a very civil mob judging from their posts
On page 2 there's a long post by "blackwidow" praising the swap to Super Pro polybushes on his vehicle: but he is now expressing concern that the less flexible poly bushes are transmitting larger stresses and he's wondering about potential cracking...

It's a good deal for the kit... but I am also wary of the "law of unintended consequences" ...I'll pass this time around thanks.

Well you (and those bits of commentary) have me thinking again too Hoges.
Maybe we need someone with 2 p38's to do a back to back comparison?

Anyways, I am getting the feeling that perhaps standard rubber are a good idea for some too. Especially given they have probably done a good enough job for all our machines for the last decade (nearly 2 for mine) anyway.

Maybe its as simple as: standard/OEM rubber are for you if your focus is flexibility and ride comfort and poly is for those with a bent for a more direct and tighter feel. Not forgetting some reports indicate a down side to "hardening up" your bushes (like greater stress and noise in some areas) that may well require a change of driving technique to suit the vehicles revised dynamics.

I'll see this week what prices I can find on both super pro poly and standard/OEM rubber. Don't see why we can't do both anyway.

If anyone wants to change their mind or comment more on the subject just continue to reply in this thread. I will up date the list and details every few days.

Hoo Roo, Dave

Originally Posted by DT-P38

Maybe we need someone with 2 p38's to do a back to back comparison?

was that targeted at anyone in particular?

Either way, I'll buy some. Not overly convinced one way or the other whether rubber or poly are the way to go yet.

Cheers, Paul.

The more I read, the more I think the perfect solution is probably part rubber and part PU.

Given the strength of a P38 chasis and drivetrain, I am personally inclined to go PU still. I don't believe a bit of stiffening is gonna shake a P38 to pieces.

In saying that though, if I were to put PU spacers in for a 1&1/2 inch body lift, then I would probably want to change my mind back to rubber. I'll probably buy both if my research and decision making hasn't been finalised around the body lft by then.

there's all sorts of traps for young players with a body lift... lengthened transmission shift leaver, changes to drive angles of steering column shaft, total change of space/distance relationship between firewall and engine componentry -> extensions to wiring harnesses, extended sunroof drains, cut/extend hydraulic brake lines ... you really sure about this? you may be better off with GenIII and extended EAS sensor arms... or fit portal axles?

Originally Posted by PaulP38a

was that targeted at anyone in particular?

Cheers, Paul.

Not specifically, I thought Hoges had 2 too?!?