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MG MGB Technical - Poly bushes

What’s the thought about poly bushes. Does it make much difference to how the car handles and drives. Is there much difference between the various colours of that bushes or is it best to stick to the originals.
Trevor Harvey

Don't go by colours as they vary between brands.

As much of the rubber you get nowadays in parts can be is piss poor rubbish rubber I'd avoid it unless a reliable source can say otherwise.

On my midget I like the Super-Flex (I've never tried SuperPro) but there are others and not just from the usual MG suppliers.

IF standard rubber bushes of acceptable/good quality bushes were/are available then just changing to new could make a good improvement. Many change springs and dampers when just changing worn out bushes might have ben enough.

Don't forget tyres add to suspension handling and ride comfort (and of course braking, steering and road noise) tyres that have gone hard through age and/or lack of use, regardless of tread depth left, if changed to new good quality ones can make a noticeable different too.

Nigel Atkins

Poly bushes make a substantial difference - improved handling - a harsher ride but they last much longer than the original rubber. As Nigel writes; the quality of standard rubber is now very suspect - using it is not worth the effort.
Also Nigel's point about colour - it is worth reading the description carefully - the more pliant grades work well for normal road use.
Roger Walker

I agree with Roger, but with a variance. Depending on which poly bushes you buy, the manufacturer and the specified use, you might get a harsher, or firmer ride, but if you get good ones then they should make a notable difference and improvement but not harsher.

As Roger has put (I forgot to) stick with road use types. I think going back a bit some standard road use poly bushes were firmer than they needed to be for road use.
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 13/05/2021 and 14/05/2021

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.