stunned_monkey Wrote:I get trade price from Superflex and pass the saving on, so my price is cheaper than buying direct. IMO those who suggest they make the ride harsh seem to talk as though the bushes are meant to do the job of the suspension, absorbing bumps and wotnot – they aren’t. The bushes are there to isolate the high frequency audible vibrations at the wheels from the body – aka road noise. The snag is that in the process, they add uncontrolled “slop” into suspension and steering linkages. PU bushes (which are working as plain bearings) have a considerably higher shore hardness than OEM vulcanised rubber. This means they don’t damp out quite a much road noise but do noticeably improve the handling of the car in the process. In my experience, well placed sound deadening in the cockpit more than makes up for the difference, though most people don’t even notice there was ever a change.

So why don’t manufacturers use PU? Answer: Some do. Alpine did in the GTA and A610. Most don’t because a rubber bush is maintenance free and cheaper.