A car suspension is a system that provides a connection between the body and the wheels, as well as absorbs shocks and vibrations from road bumps. The suspension consists of various elements such as springs, shock absorbers, levers, struts, etc. These elements are connected to each other and to the body using special parts called polyurethane bushings.

Bushings perform several functions:

• Compensate for thermal expansion and displacement of suspension elements when driving a car.
• Prevent wear and corrosion of suspension elements by reducing friction between them.
• Absorb some of the shocks and vibrations from the road, improving the comfort and handling of the car.
• Provide the necessary angle of inclination of the wheels and the height of the body above the road.

Bushings come in different types depending on the material they are made of. The most common types of bushings are rubber and polyurethane.

Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay

Rubber bushings are a traditional type of bushings that are used on most cars. Rubber bushings have the following advantages:

• Low cost and wide availability.
• Good elasticity and cushioning.
• Low noise and vibration.

However, rubber bushings also have a number of disadvantages:

• Rapid wear and loss of its properties under the influence of temperature, moisture, salts, oils and other chemicals.
• Low rigidity and resistance to deformation, which leads to a deterioration in the handling and stability of the car.
• The difficulty of replacement due to the need to use special equipment and tools.

Polyurethane bushings

Polyurethane bushings are a modern type of bushings that appeared as an alternative to rubber ones. Polyurethane is a synthetic polymer with high strength, rigidity and resistance to various influences.

Image by PIRO from Pixabay

Polyurethane bushings have the following advantages:

• Long service life and preservation of its properties under all operating conditions.
• High rigidity and resistance to deformation, which leads to improved handling and stability of the car.
• Easy to replace due to the lack of need to use special equipment and tools.

As you can see, the choice of bushings depends on many factors: your budget, car model, operating conditions and personal preferences.

Image by Pexels from Pixabay