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Need to replace flogged out trailing arm bushes on my 85 L-series (it's had some adventures..). A reliable mate says that I should -not- use the Nolathane bushes as they are crap and don't last / up here 'round Darwin at any rate.

Bit of research suggests that -maybe- the problem with Nolathane is historical, and that what they make nowadays is softer, and thus suitable for the sort of bashing around I sometimes do.

Can anyone shed any light on this for me? Should I get old-school rubber bushes, and if so any suggestion on where to source them; or maybe the new Nolathane ones will be ok?

thanks in advance for any info or tips

The major benefit with synthetic bushes is the ability to replace them without a press. The genuine rubber ones are good though, plenty of L series out there with over a couple hundred thou kays and still got the original bushes. I wouldn't know where to get them from, try genuine? Otherwise Jeff from Crossbred Performance would fix you up with some Super Pro bushes. I've been using them for years and they are all through my offroad racecar.

PM Sent rafnics

I just replaced all the bushes front and back with Nolathane replacements a couple of months ago. The result is a much tighter feel, however, that is in comparison to the worn out original bushes. The biggest benefit of polyurethane bushes is that they're impervious to oils whereas rubber breaks up so if your EA82 engine is leaking oil down the front then the front ones will give up the ghost soon too.

I have learned since paying more for the rear bush replacements that come with the steel sleeves that if I ever replace them again I would definitely NOT get them with the sleeves. Instead, buy the rear bushes that require you to re-use the old sleeves as the sleeves themselves take a whole lot of trouble to remove from the suspension arm. Just press out the old rubber bush, relatively easy job and press in the new polyurethane one.

As for where to get them... I got my Nolathane ones from Repco since I can get them at staff price (about 60% off). Otherwise, I'd go the cheaper ones from Super Cheap (Super Pro). You might find that it's cheaper to get a pair of complete trailing arms in better condition than yours or have already been fitted with new ones... I've seen this on a couple of examples at Pick 'n' Payless in recent times.

Nolathane is a brand of polyurethane NOT a material.

Polyurethane has come along way since the early days. Polyurethane was originally designed to replace brass bushes in hill climb cars. Hence the stigma of polyurethane being so hard.

Nolathane is the leader in polyurethane bushing. They have a 2yr 40,000km warranty. I have only had a few failures from extreme off road work -> Radius rod bushes.

I am running all polyurethane bushes in both of my 'L' series.
I recommend just the polyurethane bush, not the steel shelled bush unless you are towing or carrying a constant load.

If you are interested in Nolathane product feel free to email me.....

Thanks brumbyrunner, Matt, subalex and Xtreme_RX,

I appreciate everyones comments and efforts; and also thanks to those who run the system.

cheers,

rafnics