Thread: Nolathane bushes

I don't think there is a consensus. As far as I know none are nylon, and I'd be very surprised if any are, as it is not a suitable material - the alternatives are rubber or various grades of polyurethane.

Compared to the original rubber ones the advantages of urethane ones are:-

1. Usually lot easier to fit and remove - no special tools required
2. Different grades are available to give suspension rigidity different to that designed by the manufacturer.

Compared to the original rubber the disadvantages of the urethane ones are:-

1. If badly fitted or worn, movement in the eye of the suspension component may wear the eye larger, requiring the component to be replaced or built up. Similarly, more likely to require shackle bolts to be replaced.
2. Fitting stiffer than original bushes increases stresses on everything - but this depends on the grade of polyurethane.

There are probably a lot more different qualities of polyurethane bushes than there are rubber, so expected life will be quite variable. For both types of bushes short lives are usually the result of poor installation - tightening should not be done until the suspension is in the normal position and under load.

I meant polyurethane

I can't comment on Nolathane specifically as I haven't used that brand for something like 25 years (bad experience in shackle rubbers on a Jeep. They were too hard and flogged/punded out in a short space of time, went back to OE rubber and all was good, but as I said that was 25 years ago)

Super-Pro however are fantastic IMO in a RRC/Disco I/Defender.
They use an appropriate durometer (hardness) polyurethane in each bush, and where necessary (most spots) redesign the shape of the bush and any other mounting hardware so the bush can perform better.
They aren't perfect, I could take them to task on some of the production tolerances on some spacers, etc, and JD raises some valid points re the way they function in some points but that's nit picking.

If you choose to go OEM choose carefully.
I put in some front radius arm bushed that were "original equipment" but not specifically LR...
They lasted one trip to Lakefield and back... thats like 300km or so of dirt / corrugations.
Upon checking the rubber had completely disintegrated and come away from the steel tubes.

Ive now gone to Superpro up front and am happy with them.

Steve

I have had bad experiences with polyurethane with premature wear so use only rubber bushes.

Rubber bushes seem to last a long time - I have recently changed the after market shocks in our Disco after 180,000kms with many kms of corrugations. The original rubber bushes were still usable, but started to show signs of wear.

Erich

Rubber will give you a more comfortable ride, and so what it you have to redo them again in say may be 150,000 kms that's a long time, considerate as a maintenance item any way like brakes etc etc.

The other choice is go the hard bushes and visit a chiropractor often

We had a similar post a couple of weeks ago.
I think the general consensus was polyurethane bushes for the pan-hard rod (to give more precise steering) and rubber everywhere else.

Originally Posted by roverrescue

If you choose to go OEM choose carefully.
I put in some front radius arm bushed that were "original equipment" but not specifically LR...
They lasted one trip to Lakefield and back... thats like 300km or so of dirt / corrugations.
Upon checking the rubber had completely disintegrated and come away from the steel tubes.

Ive now gone to Superpro up front and am happy with them.

Steve

"For both types of bushes short lives are usually the result of poor installation - tightening should not be done until the suspension is in the normal position and under load."

John