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EWG



Member Since: 20 Sep 2015
Location: Betws y Coed, North Wales
Posts: 102

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 PU Alveston Red
Polybush or rubber bushes?
A few years ago a young trialler built a special" based on a 1952 Series One 80 inch. He adapted it to 88" sports parabolic springs, pro comp dampers, 3.54 diffs and a highly tuned 200Tdi engine and was barred from entering trials events because of the modifications. Competitors complained and the scrutineers agreed.

He rebuilt the vehicle on an adapted Discovery coiled chassis and offered me the "illegal" chassis with all the mods for a ridiculously low price :





I bought it and stored it under a tarpaulin. Last year's MOT on my '62 2a showed deteriorating leaf spring suspension - swelling, deteriorating straps and a horrible hard ride on only eight year old leaf springs so I'm going to transfer all the ex trialler suspension to mine. It will need new U bolts but that's no great problem

Advice please. Is it worth changing to Polybush/nylon bushes or replace with normal rubber bushes?

I would appreciate your views please.

Thank you.
Post #723875 16th Aug 2018 7:56pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19452

United Kingdom 
Can't stand Poly myself, been there done that never again. Diesels Lives Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️
And if You Love the Country, then we’re on the same side ~
I got’ love for Britain, I got’ British pride’. 🇬🇧
Post #723892 16th Aug 2018 9:18pm
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EWG



Member Since: 20 Sep 2015
Location: Betws y Coed, North Wales
Posts: 102

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 PU Alveston Red
Thanks for your reply - can I ask why?
Post #723902 16th Aug 2018 9:49pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19452

United Kingdom 
Well I found them far too hard, admittedly I did go for a hard grade but instead of being the wear point and the component that takes the shock and load it passes it onto another component.
Typically an expensive component and wears that instead, or in my case breaks it like the damper top mount. Shocked

I'd rather wear a bush than have issues like that, the rubber lasts surprisingly well. Diesels Lives Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️
And if You Love the Country, then we’re on the same side ~
I got’ love for Britain, I got’ British pride’. 🇬🇧
Post #723905 16th Aug 2018 10:32pm
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gazman



Member Since: 17 Aug 2015
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 652

United Kingdom 2003 Defender 90 Td5 HT Alpine White
I mix and match. On my defender the top rear shock mounts are rubber to allow some comfort but things like rear A frame bushes and panard are poly bush.

My personal view and I'm sure someone will shoot me down is that certain parts work better being held more rigid like the panhard bar, yet the shock mount allows more give for comfort etc.

Mine drives very well and is comfortable, doesn't death wobble etc like it used to and I'm convinced it's a result of mixing and matching. As I found all rubber was vauge and sometimes dangerous and full poly bushes was rock hard at 1st although I'm sure after taking it off road a few times it got better like it had more flex. 2014 - current ..... 2003 defender td5 90 (my car)
2009 - current .... 2005 zx10r
Post #723910 16th Aug 2018 10:59pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16809

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
For leaf spring eyes I would stick with traditional rubber/steel (Metalastic or Silentbloc) bushes.
Post #723948 17th Aug 2018 8:11am
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EWG



Member Since: 20 Sep 2015
Location: Betws y Coed, North Wales
Posts: 102

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 PU Alveston Red
Thank you for your answers gentlemen - food for thought.

Is there not an "intermediate" polybush - one that isn't rock hard but one that does have a certain degree of supplemess?They're not yellow in colour but red , blue or purple.
Post #723967 17th Aug 2018 11:20am
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19452

United Kingdom 
There's is soft, medium and hard. If you did go for them I'd go the softest but I personally would go rubber as BW suggested above. Diesels Lives Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️
And if You Love the Country, then we’re on the same side ~
I got’ love for Britain, I got’ British pride’. 🇬🇧


Last edited by custom90 on 17th Aug 2018 5:37pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #723970 17th Aug 2018 11:34am
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EWG



Member Since: 20 Sep 2015
Location: Betws y Coed, North Wales
Posts: 102

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 PU Alveston Red
Thank you all, I think I'll give the polybush ones a miss and go for the rubber or metalastik.
Post #724011 17th Aug 2018 5:30pm
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Devon-Rover



Member Since: 22 Jan 2015
Location: South Devon
Posts: 905

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Aintree Green
I would factor it down to usage. Lot's a sedate road miles then I'd be inclined for metalastik of genuine or very trusted OEM like Karson or Clayflex

If you are going to be flexing those springs offroad then I would go poly for ease of serviceability as metalastik bushes do not last when you are using all the suspension travel all the time. When I was doing lots of lanes and RTV trials regularly spring bushes would last in the region of 6 - 8 months a time and changing them wasn't hard just a bit of a chore whenever the clonking and shifting axle got much to handle. Also can be found on Fb, Ytube, Insta & Twitter @4WDSouthwest
Post #724016 17th Aug 2018 5:58pm
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EWG



Member Since: 20 Sep 2015
Location: Betws y Coed, North Wales
Posts: 102

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 110 Td5 PU Alveston Red
Thank you for your advice.
Post #724054 17th Aug 2018 9:47pm
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