Urethane vs OEM rubber bushes

Hi guys,

I will need to replace some of the bushes in my car soon and was after some clarification on urethane bushes vs standard OEM ones.

I have heard mixed responses about urethane bushings. Some suspension shops have said go for it, others have said steer clear as they are noisy and make the ride harsh.

I have also heard that standard rubber bushings in lowered cars are permanently distorted and not do the job as well.

My car is a '96 Civic sedan, lowered 2.5" with King spring uper-lows, and Koni Sport (internally) adjustable shocks all round, riding on 17" rims with 205/40/ZR17 rubber.

When I need to replace the bushes, I am thinking I will install a rear sway bar as well. This is for my daily driver, so I want a compliant ride, yet also want to reduce body roll and improve the overall handling of the car so I can have some fun on 'spirited' drives.

Should I replace the bushes with urethane ones, or keep with the OEM ones? Also, if I do need to go for the urethane bushes, do I need to replace all the bushes?

If I could find out what parts I need and roughly how much this will cost it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

a company who make them is nolathane. and they are good,

the big catch phrase however is that they apparently never wear out, thats why they are harsher. as aposed to rubber bushes which wear.
expensive though

my sister just got her rear lower trailing bush replaced because it was cracked/split. her car is an ek sedan with kings springs and red koni's and on 17's as well. she went to fulcrum to get hers replaced. i think fulcrum can check ur car for free to see which bushes need replacement. they will give u a free quote so try checkin there.

where can i get nolathane products?

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Originally Posted by vinhy

my sister just got her rear lower trailing bush replaced because it was cracked/split. her car is an ek sedan with kings springs and red koni's and on 17's as well. she went to fulcrum to get hers replaced. i think fulcrum can check ur car for free to see which bushes need replacement. they will give u a free quote so try checkin there.

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i'm in a similar situation, approximately how much did it cost?

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Originally Posted by vinhy

my sister just got her rear lower trailing bush replaced because it was cracked/split. her car is an ek sedan with kings springs and red koni's and on 17's as well. she went to fulcrum to get hers replaced. i think fulcrum can check ur car for free to see which bushes need replacement. they will give u a free quote so try checkin there.

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I was going to take it in to Fulcrum soon - my suspension is quite noisy in the morning - lots of rattles and squeaking, but as it warms up the noises dissapear. Does your sister have this problem too? Also, how does she find the car now - much difference?

Anyway, when I go to Fulcrum, I will find out about a rear sway bar as well as whcih bushes need to be replaced.

I was after an unbiased opinion - why would urethane/nolathane bushes be better than the rubber ones (apart from wear issues)?

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Originally Posted by DCLXVI

where can i get nolathane products?

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supercheap can order nolathane products

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Originally Posted by og5950

i'm in a similar situation, approximately how much did it cost?

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the bushing was $111.70
labour was $198
and then 4 wheel alignment $100

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Originally Posted by DomenEK

I was going to take it in to Fulcrum soon - my suspension is quite noisy in the morning - lots of rattles and squeaking, but as it warms up the noises dissapear. Does your sister have this problem too? Also, how does she find the car now - much difference?

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she does not have that problem. try asking fulcrum about the noise. as for the difference, she is not sure if it made a difference, just that it made for steering is little heavier.

I had a Energy suspension system hyperflex mster kit installed in my 94 accord about 6 months ago, and god damn it was one of the best mods done to my car!Yes you will get a harsher ride, but Im sure you can deal with that, because you already have aftermarket springs n shocks with higher spring/damper rates then stock. Just be careful though, the bushes might not cost much to purchase say $200-300 but it will cost you that much again if not more to install if you replace your control arm, end link bushes etc etc

I say go for it man, my accord is so much better to drive after i have had nolathane bushes installed :thumbsup:

wow thats alot of $$$...

i think i'm in the same boat... my car just creeks everytime i hit a driveway or speed up at any decent speed... (ie not creeping)

if i was to invest in new a suspension setup do they normally come with bushes?

nolathane are the go. rubber bushes crack quick as.
they are not noisy. and they arent harsh. if you are worried about harshness and noise you wouldnt be driving a lowered car

does supercheap stock them???

sale on tomorrow...
buy 5 litre of motor oil and get a free filter lOL...

easy to install urself yeah...?

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Originally Posted by smoknhothonda

I had a Energy suspension system hyperflex mster kit installed in my 94 accord about 6 months ago, and god damn it was one of the best mods done to my car!Yes you will get a harsher ride, but Im sure you can deal with that, because you already have aftermarket springs n shocks with higher spring/damper rates then stock. Just be careful though, the bushes might not cost much to purchase say $200-300 but it will cost you that much again if not more to install if you replace your control arm, end link bushes etc etc

I say go for it man, my accord is so much better to drive after i have had nolathane bushes installed :thumbsup:

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What does that kit come with - does it replace all the bushes or just some?

i doubt super cheap sell them. check your nearest reputable suspension joint.
prob wan professional install. harder than installing shocks as it requires more disassembly of parts

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Originally Posted by D16Y

supercheap can order nolathane products

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By memory supercheap dont stock the bushes, but they can order them in for you.

Dom EK yes the energy suspension hyperflex master kit comes with everything. with the civic kits they replace just about every bush in the front and the rear (spring mount bushes, control arms, end links, sway bars etc) I think the only thing it doesnt come with is motor mount inserts (which can be had for around $15-20 USD)

Have a look on www.energysuspension.com and search your application and you should be able to find what is included in the master kit for your civic.

Another popular bushing kit is the prothane kit www.prothanesuspension.com (I have a rear master kit on order for my accord) that are made out of nolathane, whereas the energy suspension kits are polyurethane.

Kenshin, no a new suspension setup with springs shocks wont replace all of your bushes, and dont kid yourself thinking its an easy DIY job.

You need to press some bushes in/out, which i doubt most ppl will be able to do at home, its a job for the pros in my opinion....

Supercheap stock most of the urothane bushes for holden and falcons. They will order them in for you, it still is cheaper than the other places as i found out most of the manufacturers get it made from the same place in QLD. they actually get nolathane brand. I rem the guy are All springs' told me there are only really 2 brands and alot of places only stock them. Also i know Whiteline sells them also but are slightly dearer.

I replaced my whole car (previous ride) and i tell you it was the best investment as it stopped all the shakes and improved handling. You don't get new bushes with shocks.
It is slightly rougher but i don't think you will notice it much.

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Originally Posted by Limbo

Supercheap stock most of the urothane bushes for holden and falcons. They will order them in for you, it still is cheaper than the other places as i found out most of the manufacturers get it made from the same place in QLD.

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they sell it in a package kit or individually. Im lookin to change most of my bushing.. mine is a 13 yrs car.. i reckon most of them already worn out. anyone familar with the pricing?

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Originally Posted by smoknhothonda

Dom EK yes the energy suspension hyperflex master kit comes with everything. with the civic kits they replace just about every bush in the front and the rear (spring mount bushes, control arms, end links, sway bars etc) I think the only thing it doesnt come with is motor mount inserts (which can be had for around $15-20 USD)

Have a look on www.energysuspension.com and search your application and you should be able to find what is included in the master kit for your civic.

Another popular bushing kit is the prothane kit www.prothanesuspension.com (I have a rear master kit on order for my accord) that are made out of nolathane, whereas the energy suspension kits are polyurethane.

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Smoknhothonda, I'm liking the idea of total kit - just curious though, where did you get this kit and how much was it? Also, if this kit comes with everything you mentioned, why are you getting a rear master kit from prothane suspension?

The reason why I have a prothane 'rear kit' on order is the Energy suspension kit that i had installed in my model accord only come with the bushes for the front end (dont ask me why!!!) whereas the energy suspension kit for the civic comes with rear bushes also.....

I purchased my bushes from www.competitionwarehouse.com they are great guys to deal with. Just send carlos an email, and he should help u out with prices with P&H included.

If you want the prothane bushes go to www.prostreetonline.com

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Originally Posted by DCLXVI

they sell it in a package kit or individually. Im lookin to change most of my bushing.. mine is a 13 yrs car.. i reckon most of them already worn out. anyone familar with the pricing?

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you get them in sets i.e front swaybar bushes. They can order them all for you that's not a problem either. I do remember that if you get a premade kit it is usually more expensive than getting all the components that make up the kit. Anyway have a word with them i'm sure they can get you the whole kits also.

Just a tip ring around you will find the brands are the same but the price diff. for a set can be as much as $20 per set. I know i rang Whiteline and one part was cheaper than supercheap and supercheap had another part that was cheaper? Go figure, both were using the same brand. So i ordered different parts from both of them.