Feeling dead spots in your steering or a vibration in your ride can mean it’s time to replace the rubber suspension bushes. This inexpensive and easy repair can turn a bumpy, loud and uncomfortable ride into smooth and sporty fun. The only challenge lies in finding the right part for this repair.
Types of Suspension Bushes
Most auto parts stores carry rubber and polyurethane options for suspension bushes. When installing, you can use either, but it is usually best to go with the same part as the original. Manufacturers use rubber suspension bushes, and you probably should too.
Why Rubber Over Poly?
Some car enthusiasts tout the benefits of polyurethane and point to it as the only way to handle this repair. After all, polyurethane suspension bushes last longer and have a higher durability rating, but that’s not the whole picture. Your suspension bushes don’t just need to last a long time, they need to perform well and quietly. Polyurethane may give you adequate handling and performance. It may even last longer than rubber parts, though there is some debate about this.
Where rubber suspension bushes give you better control over your automobile without causing a lot of noise, polyurethane may not. Creaking, thumping and other noises are fairly common when you switch.
The Benefits of Rubber Suspension Bushes
Rubber is the manufacturers’ choice precisely because it is not as hard. It will compress, helping to reduce vibration and noise inside the automobile. That doesn’t mean it handles poorly. In fact, rubber suspension bushes handle quite welland improve ride quality for you and your passengers.
Tackling the Replacement
When you actually start the repair, you should probably purchase an entire kit. By replacing all of your suspension bushes at the same time, you get the maximum benefit. You should notice an instant improvement in your handling. If you go with the original rubber parts for replacement, you should also notice an instant noise reduction.
Installing suspension bushes is a fairly quick and easy process, so get ready to grease up and grab a socket wrench to get started.
Need help with sourcing the parts? Check out our extensive Dealer List here.
