I am considering changing my OE suspension bushes all round including the Watts linkage and Panhard strut to polyurethane bushes. The truck has now got 121K miles on it an 11 years old and the OE must be coming to the end of their days. Has anyone run polyurethane bushes for any length of time and are they a better ride or do they wear better or worse.

I have read conflicting reports and some say they are too hard and inflexible giving a harsh ride and others say they don't last long only maybe a year or two. It's hard to know who or what to believe. If anyone has any recommendations on them and which make they used I would be grateful for any feedback.

I use the truck mainly on tarmac, say about 85-90% and offroad only 10-15% but only on farm tracks and not serious mud wading or rock climbing.

 

I would recommend based on your "use of vehicle" to replace any worn bushes with factory or OEM like bushes. The Poly's tend to run a little stiffer and provide somewhat of a rougher ride. It sounds like you would "re appreciate" that restored factory Land Rover experience.

 

I only use genuine LR rubber... not a poly fan.

 

Thanks for your input guys. Based upon the fact that the OE has lasted until now, 121K and 11 years, I can see no reason with my type of use that new OE wouldn't last as long and spending out circa £200 or $320 + delivery for polyurethane could be a false economy and last only a far shorter time. I believe you're right and I'll replace with OE as I have a 30 ton hydraulic press and air impact wrench which should make it a bit easier. In any case, poly or OE I would need to remove the old bushes in any event.

 

I'm with Zack, not a fan of poly's. Stick with the genuine bushings. They lasted this long.