Looking on Cruiser Outfitters and it seems our options for bushings are aftermarket rubber, OEM rubber, and Poly. Can anyone recommend one over the others? I was leaning towards OEM but the cost is freakin up there..
Control Arm & Panhard Bar Bushing Replacement Advice (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter SammyB
- Start date
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OEM. Take a licking once on price. Don’t have to do it for another 20 years.
Polyurethane bushings in an 80 Series is a marketing gimmick and is based strictly on cost.
Much shorter lifespan than OEM rubber.
Much less compliant than OEM rubber=more vibration transferred to frame.
If cost of parts is your ONLY determining factor, then go with poly. They do come in pretty colors though.
Much shorter lifespan than OEM rubber.
Much less compliant than OEM rubber=more vibration transferred to frame.
If cost of parts is your ONLY determining factor, then go with poly. They do come in pretty colors though.
I chose the aftermarket rubber, just changed all the rear bushings a couple months ago. No complaints so far....but I won't know for sure for another 10 years. 
For that matter, I have more time/miles on those same brand of bushings in the front panhard bar of my 100. (80 series bushings) No problems after about 2 years.
For that matter, I have more time/miles on those same brand of bushings in the front panhard bar of my 100. (80 series bushings) No problems after about 2 years.
OEM rubber is the best option. I got some aftermarket ones that were marked as OEM (non Toyota vendor) and I got less than 6 months use out of them before they were destroyed.
Partsouq had the best price on real OEM replacements when I purchased mine.
Partsouq had the best price on real OEM replacements when I purchased mine.
Box Rocket
SILVER Star
In case the earlier suggestions aren't enough to sway you, get the OEM Rubber bushings. Best all around solution for durability, flex and ride quality. Other option may do one of those things better, but not all three.
I just completed my bushing project two weeks ago. Went with OEM, really the only way to go in my opinion. Poly bushings are for race cars, not cruisers. Big improvement in ride and handling and well worth it! Although in all fairness my old bushings were visibly trashed.
Do yourself a favor and buy or borrow the Wits' End bushing press tools. They make the job a lot easier and will keep you from destroying those expensive bushings.
Do yourself a favor and buy or borrow the Wits' End bushing press tools. They make the job a lot easier and will keep you from destroying those expensive bushings.
OEM over the others. You get what you pay for.
Here is a thread with lots of discussion about pressing bushings out, and back in.
The panhard rod bushings (both front and rear) are just as ornery as any of the other control arm bushings.
I also think OEM rubber is best and worth the effort. After replacing mine, the truck felt quieter and snuggly damped on bumpy roads, the old ones really weren't totally shot, but you could see some rubber shearing, Front and rears have different core I.D. - don't mess up! double check before installing the new ones
Wits end rear control arm press
The panhard rod bushings (both front and rear) are just as ornery as any of the other control arm bushings.
I also think OEM rubber is best and worth the effort. After replacing mine, the truck felt quieter and snuggly damped on bumpy roads, the old ones really weren't totally shot, but you could see some rubber shearing, Front and rears have different core I.D. - don't mess up! double check before installing the new ones
Wits end rear control arm press
Cruiser804
SILVER Star
Agree, OEM rubber. Finally replace my OME front control arm bushings and the difference is amazing.
Are aftermarket / OEM panhard bushings the same size ? I have a ARB panhard bar on my 4 inch lift and need to replace the bushings, any experience with this?
Seems that would be a question for ARB.
My guess is they are the same but I wouldn’t bank on it.
My guess is they are the same but I wouldn’t bank on it.
