front suspension question

[Drifter]

Hi all.
I'm at the stage of putting my front end back together and have been trying to work out what is the best option for the bushes etc -
Seems to be mixed reviews on the Nolethane bushes - eg harder/stiffer ride, squeeks   and was wondering what others have done and if they are happy with the result.  Rubber? or Nolothane?

Thanks.

[wendyh]

I think we went with Nelethane...will have to check with Ray...thats his department.....

[Drifter]

Thanks Wendy

[wendyh]

Red nolethene bushes where used!

[Drifter]

Thanks Wendy
How has that been, no probs?.

[Marishka]

My take on the subject us that nolathane bushes are great as they are solid and hardly wear.
And the suspension works well on perfect roads.
Where as if they are used on lots of potholed and crap roads thats when the steel control arms etc start to crack and get damaged.

Whereas rubber bushes are more forgiving and give a softer ride.
Thus saving suspension parts from fatigue and cracking.

I can honestly say that having driven both on rubber and nolathane
Ive noticed that it can be bone shuddering driving over bad roads with nolathane whereas not with rubber.

Ive got nolathane in both vans but if i had to rebush a suspension id be going rubber .
As the rubber absorbs a lot of shock whereas nolathane amplifies it

Cheers marty

[Drifter]

Thank Marty
This doesn't make it easier but gives me some valuable info to consider...Our roads are not the best in places down here,  but generally i can't see myself on a lot of dirt roads any more..Ill be decking out the back so the added weight might compensate for some of that Beddy ride....My old one when empty use to skip out on the dirt roads if i wasn't careful
Its the only car i ever lost on a dirt road...and I use to drive on them every day.
But when i put some work gear in the back (WEIGHT)  she use to run a hell of a lot better...so im hoping for a similar outcome...
Anyway the seats will be a lot better in this one that my old one...so that might help.
am i clutching at straws...haha..suck and see I guess.
thanks again Marty.

[Dano]

Yep, I have to agree with Marty, just noticed a crack in my top arm.....now on the hunt for rubber bushes....

[Rocket]

20 years ago my van was hit by another vehicle & it wrecked the suspension on one side. When I went looking for wishbones at the wreckers I found nearly every upper wishbone had cracks in them & they all had rubber bushes in them. After that I put nolathane bushes in mine & have done 450,000km since & I only have cracks in my upper left one which I am now in the throws of replacing with a reinforced one.

[Drifter]

The ones I just took out had rubber and both of my wishbones were cracked - since fixed..
we my new bushes and ball joint, tie rod ends etc are ready to pick up so the decision was made...probably out last me whatever i use...
Thanks for all the help, very  much appreciated...