Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best automotive suspension bushings

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Car bushings are essential components of a car's suspension system, providing a cushioning effect between the various metal parts and dampening vibrations while the car is in motion. In this blog, we will discuss everything you need to know about car bushings, including what they are, what they are made of, where they are used, how long they last, signs that they need replacing, and what happens when they wear out.

What are car bushings?

Bushings are small, flexible, cylindrical components that are designed to provide a cushioning effect between the various metal parts in a car's suspension system. They are usually made from rubber, polyurethane, or a combination of both, and they help to dampen vibrations and reduce noise while the car is in motion. Bushings come in many different shapes and sizes, depending on the specific application, and they are often used in areas where metal parts meet each other, such as the suspension system.

What are car bushings made of?

Car bushings can be made from various materials, including rubber, polyurethane, and a combination of both. Rubber bushings are the most common and are generally the least expensive. They are ideal for absorbing vibrations and dampening noise but tend to wear out more quickly than other types of bushings.
Polyurethane bushings are more durable than rubber bushings and tend to last longer. They are stiffer than rubber bushings and provide better handling, making them ideal for performance applications. They are also more resistant to chemicals and can withstand higher temperatures.

How long do bushings on a car last?

The lifespan of car bushings will depend on several factors, including the type of bushing, the materials used, and the conditions in which the car is driven. Generally, rubber bushings tend to wear out more quickly than polyurethane bushings and may need to be replaced every 50,000 miles or so. Polyurethane bushings can last much longer, often up to 100,000 miles or more.

Signs that your car bushes need replacing

There are several signs that your car's bushings may need to be replaced, including:

1. Excessive noise: If you hear clunking or rattling noises while driving over bumps, this could be a sign that your bushings are worn out.
2. Vibration: If you feel excessive vibration while driving, this could be a sign that your bushings are no longer able to dampen the vibrations properly.
3. Uneven tire wear: If your tires are wearing out unevenly, this could be a sign that your bushings are no longer providing the proper support and alignment.
4. Handling issues: If your car is experiencing handling issues, such as drifting or pulling to one side, this could be a sign that your bushings are worn out and need to be replaced.

Where are bushings used in a car's parts?

Bushings are used in several places throughout a car's suspension system to provide cushioning and support, reduce noise and vibration, and help maintain proper alignment. Here are some of the most common types of bushings and where they are used in a car's suspension:

1. Control arm bushings: Control arm bushings are used in the front suspension of most cars to attach the control arms to the frame of the car. They allow the control arms to move up and down with the wheels while keeping them securely attached to the frame. Control arm bushings are typically made of rubber or polyurethane. Rubber bushings are more common and tend to be softer, which makes for a more comfortable ride but can also cause more suspension movement and less precise handling. Polyurethane bushings, on the other hand, are firmer and provide more stability and precise handling, but can also lead to a harsher ride. Some bushings may also be made of other materials, such as metal or plastic, depending on the specific application and the desired characteristics.
2. Sway bar bushings: Sway bar bushings are used to connect the sway bar to the suspension system. The sway bar helps keep the car stable during turns by transferring weight from one side to the other. Sway bar bushings are typically made of rubber or polyurethane.
3. Shock absorber bushings: Shock absorber bushings are used to attach the shock absorbers to the frame of the car. They help absorb the impact of bumps and other road irregularities and reduce noise and vibration. Shock absorber bushings, also known as shock mount bushings, are typically made of rubber, polyurethane, or a combination of both. Some shock absorber bushings are designed to be used with metal sleeves to provide added durability and support. The specific material used for shock absorber bushings may vary depending on the manufacturer and the specific application.
4. Strut mount bushings: Strut mount bushings are used in cars with a MacPherson strut suspension system. They connect the strut to the body of the car and help absorb shocks and vibrations. Strut mount bushings are typically made of rubber or polyurethane.
5. Leaf spring bushings: Leaf spring bushings are used in the rear suspension of many trucks and SUVs. They help support the weight of the vehicle and provide cushioning and support during bumps and other road irregularities. Leaf spring bushings are typically made of a hard rubber or polyurethane material, which can provide a durable and long-lasting solution for heavy-duty applications. The material used for leaf spring bushings needs to be able to withstand a lot of weight, stress, and impact without breaking down or deteriorating. Polyurethane bushings are becoming more popular due to their ability to provide better handling and reduce suspension movement, which can improve overall ride quality. Some leaf spring bushings are also designed to be used with metal sleeves or other reinforcement materials to provide added durability and support. The specific material used for leaf spring bushings may vary depending on the manufacturer and the specific application.
6. Subframe bushings: Subframe bushings are used to connect the subframe to the body of the car. They help absorb the impact of bumps and other road irregularities and reduce noise and vibration. Subframe bushings are typically made of rubber or polyurethane.

 
In summary, bushings are used in several places throughout a car's suspension system to provide cushioning and support, reduce noise and vibration, and help maintain proper alignment. The type of bushing that is best for a particular application will depend on several factors, including the type of driving, the conditions in which the car is driven, and the car's performance needs.

Metrix Premium Chassis Parts offers bushes for all makes and models. Product offerings also include stabilizer bar links, control arm and ball joint assemblies and other steering and suspension components which all are made of high-quality bushes.

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Stock Rubber bushings are great for absorbing noise and vibration (NVH), but aren&#;t designed for performance. Luckily, there are many options for increased performance in the vast automotive aftermarket.

Polyurethane is a great option for street performance. It offers a great increase in performance, but still absorbs enough NVH for a comfortable ride. The poly bushing pictured from BMR Suspension (left) is designed to replace the rubber bushing. Notice the factory voids in the black rubber bushing. The solid poly piece is give you a very noticeable increase in feel and performance.

Polyurethane bushings are often used in both ends of rear control arms. These A-body lower control arms feature 95 durometer poly bushings, which are designed to handle high compression loads, increasing traction and adding a more responsive feel.

For more hardcore applications, upgrading to rod ends will eliminate all bushing deflection. These are designed for high-power drag race and handling application where NVH is not a concern.

The rod end and stainless spacers occupy the same space as the bushing, but offer large increases in articulation for handing applications, and zero deflection for high-power applications.

For high-load applications, like the upper control arm on Three-Link Mustangs, a spherical bushing may be a better option than a rod end.

Spherical bushings work very similarly to rod ends, but the bushings has a much larger surface area than the rod end. In high-power or high-load applications, this increase in surface area spreads the load, giving you an increase in strength. This will also allow the bushing to last longer than a smaller rod end. The downside is an increase in weight over a rod end.

If you have a high-power street car, the a combination of polyurethane and rod ends or spherical bushings way work best for you.

With bushing on one side and a solid link on the other, larger amounts of power can be applied and some NVH will still be absorbed. The poly side will also deflect slightly, absorbing some of the car&#;s power and it is applied to the chassis.

Delrin bushings are made from a super-hard polymer that is design to eliminate flex. BMR suspension uses Delrin for IRS cradle bushings (BK027 pictured) A-arm bushings, and many applications where the bushings only see movement on one axis. Delrin is a great option for eliminating deflection.

Polyurethane differential bushings are a great upgrade from the stock rubber bushings. These bushings are commonly overlooked, and can make the biggest different in a total suspension system. When these bushing dry rot and breakdown, they can wreak havoc on the rear suspension and the increased deflection can cause massive alignment issues.

Your suspension needs to be looked at as a system. Everything needs to work together, ensuring it all operated properly. The right bushings are an extremely important part of the puzzle!

With competitive price and timely delivery, Yunqi Automobile Parts sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

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So you want to buy a set of control arms. Okay, easy enough. Do you want tubular or boxed arms? Picking a design style is fairly straightforward. Are you going to race the car? It&#;s a legit question. How about color? These questions are getting simpler. What bushing do you need? &#;um.

Chances are that&#;s the most difficult question you&#;ve had to answer yet. That&#;s OK, like most enthusiasts, you probably haven&#;t given that one much thought. Here&#;s the problem&#;it&#;s the most important decision you have to make! The bushings you pick will directly affect performance, ride quality, and comfort of the vehicle. If you&#;re just looking for a stock replacement for a worn out rubber bushing, there isn&#;t much need to keep reading. If you want to know why bushings are that important and want to know how to pick the bushings that will work best for you, this story is for you!

Bushings

Ask five people which bushings you need in your car and chances are you&#;ll get five different answers. The simple fact is the choice is very subjective. There are a lot of factors that play a big roll in the decision you have to make. There are a bunch of options and each comes with its own set of pros and cons. To learn more about it we turned to the experts at BMR Suspension.

&#;Bushings are the direct connection between the suspension link and either the chassis or the differential (rear), or front tires and the chassis (front)&#; said Brett Rockey, BMR&#;s Product Development Manager. &#;Though this seems like an obvious and almost insignificant fact, the bushings do a lot more than you may think. Most importantly, torque is transferred through the drivetrain and the bushings are the first piece of rear suspension that sees the forces of that energy. In the front, the bushings directly affect steering input and performance, as well as how well your vehicle traverses imperfection in whatever road you&#;re driving on.&#;

Starting to see why they are important?

Soft, broken, or worn out bushings deflect, and deflection is wasted energy. When a bushing is compressed and deforms under load, it absorbs energy instead of transferring it to the rest of the chassis. When the bushing deflects, it also allows for unwanted movement. This movement can allow the suspension to move in weird ways, throwing off the alignment of the front or rear wheels. Bushings with harder (higher durometer) material will reduce or prevent this deflection, but there is a tradeoff.

Harder bushings do not absorb noise and vibration commonly known as NVH (Noise, Vibration, and Harshness). With harder bushings, NVH is transferred through the chassis, and things like road noise, gear noise, and driveline vibrations become much more apparent to the vehicle&#;s occupants. A simple way to look at it is the harder the bushing, the higher the NVH. What are considered tolerable levels of NVH is very subjective. One person may want a plush ride with no noise, and a polyurethane bushing will be too aggressive. Another person may love the race car-like feel, and solid-mounted rod ends are just right.

When cars are designed, the factory doesn&#;t think about performance when picking bushings. The focus is on giving the customers a product that will absorb as much NVH as possible so the ride is quiet and comfortable. They are also trying to do this as inexpensively as possibly. Thankfully, this leaves room for aftermarket suspension companies to greatly improve on the factory product.

Performance Bushings

Rubber bushings are what come from the factory. They rot, rip, wear out, deflect (a lot!), and are simply inefficient at transferring large amounts of power. But there is a plus side to rubber. It does a great job of controlling NVH. If you want a smooth, quiet, noise-free ride, then rubber is for you. For everyone else, there are much better performance options.

Polyurethane
Polyurethane is a synthetic material that doesn&#;t rot or deteriorate due to normal environmental factors (oils, road salt and grime, ozone, etc.). It reduces deflection over rubber bushings, while still absorbing good amounts of NVH. It is hard enough to stand up to high compression loads (hard launches, hard acceleration), while remaining compliant enough to give you enough articulation for handling applications.

One of the biggest benefits to polyurethane is its relatively low cost. Polyurethane is a chemical that is poured into a mold, and it solidifies into a bushing. This means high volumes of bushings can me made without a huge investment in equipment or machining costs. Polyurethane is also an extremely versatile material. It is used for control arm bushings, sway bar bushings, differential bushings, engine mounts, transmission mounts, and body mounts.

Another benefit to polyurethane is the ability to make bushings in different durometer (hardness). Having different durometer bushings allows you to pick the level of performance you want. It also gives you options to how much deflection and NVH you want to live with.

Delrin
Delrin is a super-hard polymer that doesn&#;t deflect. This is great for IRS cradle bushings or A-arm bushings where there is only motion in one direction and articulation is not important. These style bushings are not normally used for rear control arms where articulation is important. For that, rod ends or spherical bushings are the way to go.

Rod Ends and Spherical Bearings
You don&#;t see a lot of rod ends or heim joints used outside of hardcore race applications. This is because rod ends connect the suspension link solidly to the chassis or different, and do not eliminate any of the vehicle&#;s NVH. The biggest benefits to rod ends are there is no wasted energy as power is transferred through the chassis, and they offer very high levels of adjustability. These reasons are why rod ends are immensely popular in the racing community.

Like bushings, there are many options when it comes to rod ends. There are two-piece ends, three-piece ends, loaded slot ends, oversized shank ends, with PTFE self-lubricating liners, and without. It can get confusing. Luckily, companies like Viking Performance are here to help.

&#;When determining which rod end to use, it is very important to consider strength and misalignment angles,&#; said Christina King of Viking Performance. &#;It is highly recommended that users carefully measure the angles for each rod end application, and make sure that the manufacturer&#;s misalignment angle is large enough to handle the application. Rod ends will prematurely wear, bind or break if the misalignment angle is exceeded. It is also very important to consider the operating loads that your rod end will experience and ensure that the selected product has a load rating well in excess of the operating loads you expect. In addition, it is very important that the rod ends are being used correctly in the application. In general, rod ends are designed for a radial load, (pulling and pushing up and down on the rod end), not an axial load (a load pushing sideways on the rod end ball). The axial load on a rod end should never exceed 15-percent of the joint&#;s radial capacity for two-piece units, and 10-percent of radial capacity on three-piece units. Lastly, rod ends are wear items. They will not last forever. Rod ends need to be inspected for wear and replaced when necessary.

&#;It may be difficult for racers to fully understand the differences in these products. It can be quite the maze to work through with all the different manufacturers and the resellers pushing many different brands, which often includes private label brands also. The racers need to ask questions and research the brands of rod ends to truly understand where they are coming from and what the features and benefits are of each. While it can be a mistake to buy a rod end solely off of price, it is also a mistake to overpay for product that is the same or lesser quality of a more competitively priced unit.&#;

Applications

When it comes to picking bushings, application is key. It&#;s difficult to get everything you want, and there usually is always going to be a tradeoff. Soft bushings offer the least amount of performance, but the lowest NVH; rod ends offer the most performance with the most NVH. Polyurethane bushings are a great all-around bushing, but don&#;t give you as much articulation for hardcore handling applications. It is important to take a long hard look at exactly what you are going to do with you car, and make your decision based on what you&#;re willing to live with and what you can&#;t live without.

Street Performance
Street performance is probably the largest enthusiast group. Street performance can range from the guy who takes his car out once or twice a month and wants a sportier ride, to a guy who daily drives his car and hits the drag strip or road course also. This could even cover the guy who races the car regularly, but also uses the car to get to work. Whatever the case may be, most street performance enthusiasts look for a strong bushing that doesn&#;t deflect as much as stock, yet offers enough articulation for good handling. They also want a bushing that absorbs enough NVH for a comfortable driving experience. More often then not, polyurethane bushings are the perfect fit for the street performance crowd, as they offer the best compromise of performance and comfort.

If you are on the more hardcore end of the street performance spectrum, you can get control with a mix of bushings and rod ends or spherical bushings. This blend gives you the ability to reduce deflection with going to all solid bushings. The rod end side will transfer more noise and vibration through the chassis, but the polyurethane end will still absorb some NVH.

Racing
If you plan on using your car in a more hardcore fashion at the drag strip, road course, or autocross, rod ends might be the way you want to go. Dedicated track cars (for the most part) serve one purpose&#;going fast. In max-effort applications, bushing deflection is wasted power.

So now it&#;s time to pick your bushings. Hopefully it will be much easier to look at your wants, needs, and how you&#;re going to use your car or truck, and establish which bushings are right for you. Another great way to narrow the decision down is to drive or ride in as many cars with different setups as possible. Hearing and feeling the difference between stock, polyurethane, and rod ends is a great way to establish what&#;s right for you.

So make your decision, install your parts, and happy hot rodding!

SOURCE: BMR Suspension

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