Nolathane Benefits

Whether you intend to build a Street Machine, Fast 4, go bush or simply drive to work, suspension bushings are the link between your vehicle and it’s springs, struts and shock absorbers. Suspension bushings provide the movement and/or mounting points in your vehicle’s suspension system.

Original rubber suspension bushings are compressed or chemically bonded to the suspension components in which they are installed. In the case of a metallastic (steel cased) bush, the rubber is compressed at the time of manufacture and chemically bonded to the metal centre sleeve and outer steel shell. The rubber bush is normally press-fitted into the suspension component such as a control arm, then bolted to the chassis. In this way, the capacity for suspension movement or rotation is restricted. The rubber suspension bush design requires delicate compromise, as it must be soft enough to permit sufficient rotational movement whilst maintaining alignment settings.

Unlike rubber, Nolathane polyurethane suspension bushings are not bonded by compression. Nolathane bushings are mechanically fitted with minimal crush of the urethane material, and the centre pin is lubricated so the component freely pivots without restriction. Combined with Nolathane’s ability to maintain the bush shape, this free pivoting provides sharper handling response and greatly increased suspension control.

Technical developments in suspension design have provided many of today’s vehicles much improved on-road handling. Using Nolathane suspension bushings ensures there is no weakness in the suspension and therefore maintains steering control.

Nolathane bushings bring the following improvements to your suspension:

• Outstanding abrasion resistance
• High load bearing capability (4WD’s, utes and towing)
• Flexibility
• Increased tensile strength
• Chemical resistance to oil, grease, ozone and weathering
• Alignment correction via adjustable bushings

• Enhanced road holding, steering and performance
• Less change in suspension geometry under load, braking and through corners
• Longer suspension life and less repair time
• Longer tyre life

Nolathane was originally designed to replace brass bushings in vehicles competing in hillclimb events. Therefore the early formulation was very hard, as it was designed to replace brass, not rubber. Whilst it was great for competition use it was too harsh for normal street use.

Over the years, just like vehicle and suspension system designs, things have changed. Today Nolathane is manufactured in various durometers (grades of softness / hardness), with the correct durometer selected for each application. Today’s Nolathane formulations have higher resistance to tear, abrasion and compression whilst being softer than the original formulations!

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