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MG MGB Technical - V8 bushings vs. blue Polybush

Does anyone have the knowledge to compare the original rubber MGB V8 lower front suspension bushings with blue "comfort" Polybush bushings? I am looking for something possibly a little more flexible than the Autobush bushings I have on my ´63 roadster now.

I asked about the quality of rubber components on this BBS some time ago, hoping that something had improved. Apparently things are now even worse, so the original type of MGB bushings are out of the question. But the V8 bushings I have are 7-8 years old or more, have been kept dark and cold, and look like The Real Thing to me.

Tore

I always fit the V8 bushes - they resist the twisting and wear that the twin bushes suffer and they transmit less road noise than the polybushes.
Chris at Octarine Services

Tore-
I must agree with Chris that the MGB V8 bushings are the way to go. I recommend the SuperFlex polyurethane bushings. In Shore Hardness 8 they are about as soft and quiet as new quality-rubber bushings, but they never seem to deteriorate. I've had a set on my MGB for many years and they are still like new.
Stephen Strange

I've got Super-Flex on my Spridget and am very pleased with them - I had the yellow (fast?) road previously and the to me the Super-Flex are better and are softer ride without being too soft
Nigel Atkins

Went through a set of V8 bushings in less than 5 years. Put in Superflex. Very easy to install, stainless steel bushings so less potential for rust and the work great.

Have had them for 2 years and the are looking the same as when installed.
Bruce Cunha

I've had a set of V8 bushings, in my '67B, for over 20 years and they don't show the least bit of wear. RAY
rjm RAY

Thanks everybody. I´m tempted to try the V8 bushings that I have. Will not do it before this season is over, though.
Tore

Think about failure modes. The V8 bushes have no wear points, and the only way they give up is if the rubber deteriorates and they twist apart, something I've never seen. I still have some in service after 30 years.

Any other type of bush turns against either the pin, the eye of the A arm, or both. That means friction, which means wear - they oval out and you get slop.

Which do you think is superior?
Bill Spohn

Bill,

I very much prefer rubber bushes, both for the reasons you mention and for comfort. The problem has been the quality of the rubber. The last set of ordinary MGB bushes I installed lasted less than two years before they were absolutely flat.

But I have never used V8 bushes, and as the ones I have are possibly of original quality I will try them.
Tore

The original 8 piece bushing design was a poor one and they tended to start to fail after only a few years. The V8 design is almost identical to the design used on US cars late into the '80s on large cars. It is considerably stronger that stock and only uses 4 bushes in place of the stock 8 piece set. Mine, which are over 20 years of age, are a testament to the superior design. RAY
rjm RAY

This thread was discussed between 27/07/2013 and 02/08/2013

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