Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

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guy007
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Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by guy007 »

Hi guys
I am new to this forum and need advice ......I have a 2011 extra cab 4x4 with 160 000 kms on the clock ( I am the second owner ) and its time to change Shackle bushes , I can see they are worn and Toyota workshop( after last service ) also recommends its time to replace .
My question is rubber bushes or polyurethane ??????
I have been reading some Aussie threads and there seems to be a huge debate as to which is better , some say the poly bushes are to rigid , they make the ride even harder and are not good for vehicle components as they are to hard , rubber bushes have more "flex " therefore better for your vehicle and give a better ride .
I phoned 4x4 Mega World for price on Old Man Emu bushes ( just to get an idea of cost )but they wont fit my stock standard springs , cant afford to change the whole setup at the moment . So is it better just to stick to standard rubber bushes from Toyota ?
I have stock standard suspension , I do weekend camping and 4x4 trips but mostly the bakkie is used for work .
I would appreciate feed back / advice on this topic

Thanks
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by Froll »

Welcome Guy, hope you enjoy it here on the forum. You will only get some awnsers in the week as most people are out enjoying their trucks on the weekends.
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by guy007 »

Thanks for the welcome , looking forward to the advice .............
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by ChrisF »

Welcome Guy

As Roger said, you will get better feedback in the week.



You can also contact Johan at First Allignment Centre in Stikland. He KNOWS these bakkies, and really KNOWS suspensions !!
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by guy007 »

Thanks Chris , I kook forward to the advice from this forum , then I will get advice from Johan .
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by Rigger »

Replace with OEM, i did mine this week. I have a 2011 S/C 4x4. I agree with the poly bushes to be too hard. It can cause vibrations and all sorts of funny stuff.
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by guy007 »

Thanks for that advice , at this stage I am leaning towards rubber , even although they wear quicker[ As I understand it ] ........I will make a decision towards end of the week after getting all the advice I can .....Thanks again Martiens for your input
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by Borntofish »

I have installed Vesconite bushes on my SFA a couple of years ago. It is a local product that is used in the mining industry.

http://vesconite.com/vescoflex/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by Thabogrobler »

http://www.adcomponents.co.za/vehicles.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Polybushes.

It is really not much harder but will last another 100 years! My Hilux drove at least 300 000km with a set without any issues, vibrations or harshness.

Order direct from the factory - last time I paid sub R200 for a set!
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by JohanW »

Thabogrobler wrote:http://www.adcomponents.co.za/vehicles.html

Polybushes.

It is really not much harder but will last another 100 years! My Hilux drove at least 300 000km with a set without any issues, vibrations or harshness.

Order direct from the factory - last time I paid sub R200 for a set!
+1

Also running on their polybushes for the lower control arms. Quality product locally made and well priced.

I would not be surprised if the guys from Mikem also use them for their suspension kits.
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by guy007 »

Thanks very much I will for sure look into Polybushes ( also good to support local industry :)
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by guy007 »

Thanks guys for your advice , after much deliberation I have decided to go with rubber bushes ,fitting them on Tuesday , I will let you know how they work out
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by CasKru »

Not sure if it's been said but.... if you want more flex... go with rubber... if you want softer ride... go with poly
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by Knuppel »

Excuse my ignorance Cassie but how do you figure that poly gives a softer ride?
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by CasKru »

Poly bushes are softer than rubber. They isolate you from the axles to body vibration due to them being a bit more flexible.
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by Knuppel »

No Sir! Not so. Rubber is the softer material. The practical experience I have is convincing for me but I cannot pass that on.

This is a good article if found.

http://thebushingking.com/bushings-bett ... e-rubber/O" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by pietpetoors »

Also use poly bushes and have no problem with vibration or hard ride. I doubt that the bushes can cause a hard ride. Your springs and shocks play a much bigger role in ride comfort than the bushes.

Before you posted the question I did not even know there is a difference as I could not tell a difference when I took out the OEM rubber and replace it with Poly. All I know is the poly lasts 5 times longer and in my opinion rubber is crap.
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by Knuppel »

Rubber is crap yes, but it is softer and depending the aplication there is still place for it.

Fit those poly bushes to a 105 series cruiser and you crack the diff mountings due to lack of flexibility.
Some hard lessons learnt in that case and poly definitly not a replacement in that specific case. In shackle bushes i would definitely fit poly .
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by Thabogrobler »

Polyurethane bushes that get sold over the counter has a harder compound than normal bushes.

However if you can have your bushes custom made it can be made to a much softer compound.
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by Knuppel »

Thabo, recently i have been becomming aware that there are different hardness poly bushes and aparently they are colour coded to the hardness but have not found this in the shops yet and get the blank stare from the other side of the counter when I enquire. Anybody with good info here?
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by pietpetoors »

Will ask Darrell and see what he says.

Marius, agree, will use poly on shackle bushes and stabilizer arm bushes, but for the rest I stick to rubber.
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by Bradmclaren »

Hope someone can help. Sorry for hijacking this post. Where can I get these poly bushes?
Thanks guys
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by pietpetoors »

Only Dead Fish Go With The Flow!
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by Bradmclaren »

Thank you
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by Mud Dog »

You can also get them at Midas (Bowls Rd. - speak to Sean or Vincent - speak to Andrew or Dean) or at Autozone (speak to Trevor). :winkx:

I used to think that poly was the better option and lasted longer but I'm not so sure any more. The rubber used is a pretty hard compound, but still has more flex and ability to compress than poly IMO. I have already had to replace poly shock mount bushes that couldn't handle the harder shocks and just disintegrated after a couple of years. I suppose it really does come down to the specific application.
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by muki »

Is this a DIY job? Or do you need a lift. Toyota said my rear shackle bushes are finished and need to be changed.

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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by Tim86 »

DIY - jack up rear of chassis so axle hangs in air, tyres off and under for safety, lightly support axle from below, pull off shackles , replace bushings with liberal amounts of grease. Look at downloadable manual on this site, older model, same procedure, most likely similar torque specs.
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by niclemaitre »

Do the fixed ones first, then the hanger side. That way getting everything lined up is much easier
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Re: Shackle Bushes --Poly or Rubber ?

Post by muki »

Will try the DIY. Got quoted R1500 labour only from 2 separate fitment centres.

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