Rubber bushing

A rubber bushing is a device, primarily used in suspension systems, which separates the faces of two metal objects whilst still allowing a set degree of movement. This movement allows the suspension parts to move freely for example when traveling over a large bump but minimizes transmission of noise and small vibrations through to the chassis of the vehicle.

Uses for the rubber bushing include, on anti-roll bar links and mountings, shock absorber mountings and in front wishbone assemblies to name but a few.

Advantages of using a rubber bushing over a solid bearing system are that less noise and vibration are transmitted through rubber. Rubber also requires little or no lubrication

Disadvantages of rubber bushings are that they can deteriorate quickly in the presence of oil and that extreme heat and cold can also lead to failure.The flexibility of rubber also introduces an element of play in the suspension system. This may result in camber, caster or toe changes in the wheels of the vehicle during high load conditions (cornering and braking), adversely affecting the vehicle's handling. For this reason a popular aftermarket performance upgrade is the replacement of rubber suspension bushes with bushes made of more rigid materials, such as polyurethane.