OME (Disappearing) Shock Bushing

[Beams37]

Hey All,

I thought I was having classic OME "clunk" over the past few days. Well ... Today the clunk was just too much. SO, I took a quick look (as if I was going to see the clunk). What I saw was shock bushings that had basically disappeared. I'm pretty sure PO did the suspension within the last 2 years.

A few questions:

1: Is this a thing? Seems strange that these would deteriorate so fast.
2: Can I get replacements without buying new shocks?

Here's some pics. Would welcome any ideas.

Passenger: Pretty much gone and the source of my clunk.

Drivers: Looking like it ain't got much life.

 

[davegonz]

My FJ60 project truck has the same problem.

 

[Beams37]

It's insane. Can these be purchased?

 

[cruisermatt]

They should be the same shape as normal shock bushings. Should be readily available from normal parts sources. Maybe there was a bad batch. My OME shock bushings were over 10 years old when I removed them a few months ago, and still had some life in them.

 

[2mbb]

Last year, I lost one on the rear and I started hearing a rattle. I replaced them all. The front's were not gone, but were showing some wear. I replaced them with some poly bushings from energy suspension.

 

[Beams37]

Working with @cruiseroutfit on a solution.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

ALL poly bushings go bad. They are not as durable as OEM rubber. So what. A full set is cheap, and you should probably just schedule replacement every 4 years.

Regarding shock bushings, the shocks themselves are probably in need of replacement every 4-5 years, so I would not sweat this.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Not sure it's a "thing". Just replaced mine due to significant rust and the rubber bushings were still good after around 10 years.

The shocks seemed to work fine too, actually. OME shocks last a long time.

 

[IS2SPICY4U]

My shock on the driver side, the stud completely came out today due to busted bushings.. so now I'll have to buy new shocks. Need to anyway, I've had my FJ60 for 3+ years now and don't know when PO put the current shocks in.. so time to get new ones.

 

[Seth S]

Welcome to the reality of Poly bushings....great performance for a much shorter period of time compared to OEM rubber. Depending on the environment they are in they will last shorter or longer. In shock bushings they will compress over time and often start coming apart 2-4 years after install....at least on all the vehicles I have used them on. I still like them for shock bushings but you just have to accept the fact that you will need to change them more often.