Maintenance Free Poly Bushings For Your Street Car? (FM Live)

[@garageredzone]

I have a mechanical workshop in QLD Australia, and have been fitting Super Pro bushes to everything for over 15 years. I don't bother with rubber anymore, these are better and last longer. I never get complaints about NVH and they're easier to fit than oem rubber. I've fitted plenty of other poly bushes and none of them come close.. Bonus is they're designed and made in Brisbane Australia not China like just about everything else.

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

Always great to hear good reviews from professionals! Thanks!

[@justaddafan]

What kind of cars have you been installing them on? What's their use? Have you ever seen them go dry?

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

@@justaddafan At the moment we have these on an almost daily driven NA that sees occasional track and autocross. No issues so far.

[@garageredzone]

@@justaddafan literally everything that comes into my workshop that needs bushes, I have not had any fail, i have repeat customers so have seen them in action on the same vehicle sometimes for 10+ years. Only seen them go dry-ish on some of the modern cars with vertical pivot bushes like certain subarus etc with a front lower inner rear bush that has that type, but you can easily squeeze more grease into the void when they're up in the air. But never had them wear as there's always some grease left in there. Leaf spring shackle bushes i've seen them worn but not on cars i've fitted them to so can't comment on the quality of fitment..

[@flipflop7577]

Aussie bushings are the best! Got superpros in my miata here in Germany. Even here they got an excellent reputation.

[@simoncoli2314]

I installed superpro bushings on mine, got rid of the 32 year old rubber. Great swap, no more NVH than before, also took the extra time to install grease nipples in case they do get squeaky. Also did the diff mounts. Gear changes are better, car feels fantastic.

[@camerongeraghty4709]

Installed these in my 2001 NB. I got quoted nearly 10 hours labour to get it done in a shop. I did it in my garage, on my own, made and learned from my mistakes and it took just under 10 hours. Had them in for a year and a half and quite like them, no squeels yet. In Australia they make a higher durometer version for the front lower control arm to avoid a common problem that occurred with heavy track use, I have these ones installed and they were significantly more nvh but was great for my use.

[@Codriver72]

I have SuperPro installed in my Toyota for all the bushings in the suspension. Iwas suprised that it was low NVH and still it is all quiet even if I only used them one summer. Great products in my opinion.

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

Thanks for sharing, we've been impressed so far as well!

[@ke5eaj]

I installed these on my 2004 Mazdaspeed. Fairly easy install and no squeaks yet. Great upgrade over stock rubber!

[@Nick-ue5bp]

can you press them in by hand?

[@ke5eaj]

@@Nick-ue5bp I used a 24" section of all thread and some washers. I doubt you can push them in by hand. You certainly can't get the rubber ones out by hand

[@tickandslug]

Can you actually tell a difference in handling?

[@chrisschneider7727]

I have bushings VERY similar to these on my 95NA. I'm now going on 6 years without regreasing. The other note of potential design improvement would be to cut the bushing in half, and run a grease circ fitting that would be tapped into the control arm bushing slots. This would make it significantly easier to replace the grease and "flush" the old grease out with minimal headache.

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

The SuperPro bushings are "maintenance free" with a lifetime warranty against squeaking and failure.

[@travdripdrip382]

These bushing r awesome. I've installed the front end bushings wwheni did the balljoints last month. Havent done the rear yet but so far no squeak and huge improvement

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

Good to hear! Glad they are working for you and you like them as much as we do! :)

[@rjordansr65]

Awesome video with good info for those of us who have never ran poly bushings!!

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful!

[@mikeskillz01]

Going on year 3 with my 97NA on poly with SadFab bearing kit. They are holding up to my summer daily and autocross use well. I pump a little fresh grease into the grease fittings I installed on each one every winter and they don't squeak at all. Only thing I'd maybe recommend is not doing the differential bushings for a street car if you drive on the highway on any regular basis. The noise and vibration above 60ish mph is pretty rough.

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

The SuperPro bushings use a proprietary poly compound that does a much better job at eliminating NVH than the average poly bushing and is the only Poly bushing we've tested that we could recommend for a street car. They also have a lifetime warranty against squeaks and failure, so you don't need to be adding new grease every winter.

[@mikeskillz01]

@@FlyinMiataVideo Sounds like the way to go if/when the ones I have wear out.

[@mariovo5]

I need these asap 😃 I will be replacing thee entire front suspension and shock observers for front and rear. I will not get stOck parts.

[@JOEDUGGAN-v1z]

powerflex also use this crosshatch interior, a little ptfe tape helps a lot to prevent squeaking

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

I've heard of others using PTFE tape but we've always used the supplied grease per the manufacturer's recommendations. If you're not worried about warranty stuff, use whatever works😁

[@michaelh.9866]

Thanks, Mike!

[@josemercado8032]

Thank you for all they you do

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

Thank you!

[@realfast7274]

Will this material be used in motor mounts in the future?

[@markpavkovic]

I don't see these on your website for an NC.

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

We don't yet have bushing kits available for the NC - sorry! It's very possible we'll have something in the future, but no promises.

[@tgy119]

For the diff insert, the smaller donut shaped insert has a flat side, the instructions don't mention the proper orientation for it. Is the flat side of the donut shaped insert support to face up or down?

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

If it's not specifically mentioned in the instructions, and isn't obvious when installing , then it may not matter. Please reach out to our customer support team directly, they can take a look and give you a definitive answer! So sorry for the hassle!

[@MAbild7]

Any chance you’ll offer these for sway bar bushes? I have to lube my FM poly sway bar bushes almost twice a year in Denver :-(

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

We've passed that suggestion along to our development team! Thanks!

[@lukeevans3742]

Any input on the bronze bearing (Sadfab) kits you can get for these or the Supermiata bushings? The basic explanation is that the metal pins rotating within the polybush creates friction which binds the suspension geometry up. How smooth are these when greased?

[@ricks_toys]

863 supermiata kit are the best bushings apart from going pillow ball. I have the 863 kit with zerk fittings, solves any binding or regreasing concerns

[@lukeevans3742]

@@ricks_toys thanks for the info dude I think I'm going to do the same. Is NVH noticeably worse with their kit?

[@ricks_toys]

@@lukeevans3742 I don't think NVH is a concern since I drive top down 99% of the time. Also, I run semi slicks on my NB so those are the loudest from my suspension area. If your ball joints and end links are all in good shape polybush upgrade shouldn't make a squeak except with going with poly mounts for engine and diff. There's a notable vibration over stock rubber with those

[@lukeevans3742]

@@ricks_toys sounds good to me. I'm replacing the whole suspension and geometry on my 93 so it will all be new. I also run Yoko A052s (200TW)for daily and track work so I know what you mean! I've been wary about replacing the diff/motor bushings for the reasons you stated but think I may need to as 3rd gear dissappears on up shift from second sometimes haha

[@ricks_toys]

@@lukeevans3742 you could opt to stay with hardened rubber replacements over poly mounts. I run Mazdaspeed competition engine mounts in my itb car and its very civil, immediately fixed the mis shift problems I had as well. The stock rubber mounts like to split on the left mount and you can't tell unless you take the stock mounts apart. I think the best for street and occasional track day would be Mazdaspeed mounts and an engine torque damper. For diff poly is fine

[@travdripdrip382]

For the diff inserts do u need to remove the axles or driveshaft or PPF ? Or do u just support the diff and unbolt it?

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

You don't need to unbolt the driveshaft or remove the diff to install the diff bushing inserts. Feel free to contact our support team directly if you need more specific instructions :)

[@Jake-im2lv]

I have always used superpro or nolathane in all of my older cars here in auatralia, never noticed any increased nvh either

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

We've been impressed with the SuperPrro so far for sure!

[@justaddafan]

@Flyin Miata - are you planning to run tests on the longevity claims of the bushes?

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

We actually were selling SuperPro bushings 20 years ago, so we have some long term experience with them already. There are a couple of cars in the FM fleet that have had them all this time. None were ever fitted with grease fittings.

[@jonathanharris185]

I’ve had mine going for 10 years now in my lexus is and all is ok

[@jjchockey]

How does the stiffness and NVH compare to the Mazda comp or IL engineering bushings?

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

These are still poly, so depending on the rest of your suspension, you might still notice more NVH than with performance rubber bushings. Performance wise, the poly should be a slightly stiffer compound and give a more precise feel to the handling.

[@benjaminkotrla943]

Are the inserts stainless steel? I had poly bushings in my other winter driven car, they also had the cross-hatching. The inserts rusted and caused binding after about 2-3 yrs.

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

These are not SS, but they are coated to provide smooth motion and prevent corrosion. c

[@peejaywheeler5945]

Do the diff bushing inserts work with the MazdaComp diff bushings too?

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

We haven't tried them together but they should since the only difference that I'm aware of is the rubber compound in the Mazda Comp ones.

[@dgris7944]

Mike said installing the differential bushings would help shifting. Can you perhaps expand on that? I've been trying to diagnose difficult shifts into 1st gear on my '99 which no doubt has the original rubber diff bushings and am wondering if the SuperPro may help with that. (Of course, at their current price it's a cheap thing to try anyway....)

[@aygwm]

The less lash and movement the drivetrain experiences, the easier it is to align your shifts with the gate and shift precisely. The bushings cut down on that backlash. That’s it.

[@ricks_toys]

Have you replaced your stock motor mounts? That fixed 1st and 2nd gear shift for mine. The left motor mount had a split in the rubber that you can't see unless you take the motor mount apart

[@ricepony33]

I have mazda speed diff bushings and engine mounts. I like the engine mounts. The diff bushings weren’t that noticeable except they create more NVH. I would pass on them unless yours are torn. My 94 OEM ones had close to 200k and lots of track miles and honestly looked perfect.

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

As mentioned, the diff bushings just help eliminate some of the drivetrain movement, making your shifts easier. There are some other fairly easy options you could try as well: Change/upgrade your trans fluid, rebuild your shifter, check/change your motor mounts. Feel free to reach out to our support team via phone or email if you need help diagnosing or have other questions, they'll be happy to help!

[@lasvegascrisis]

i just installed these on my NA...how do the bottom diff inserts stay in place? am i missing something?

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

You're not missing anything. The bottom inserts are sandwiched in with the lower "retainer". Super simple installation.

[@lasvegascrisis]

@@FlyinMiataVideo thank you! and i do not cut any rubber off of the stock bottom plates, correct?

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

@@lasvegascrisis Correct. You'll use all the same OE hardware that came off without modifying it.

[@9demorider]

Hi, nice video its very informative. Can you tell me why the superpro bushing are so cheap on your site? When I'm looking on the German site they are 586€ (573$) on your 349$ is there a differently version? Maybe german street regulations (ABE)?

[@ricks_toys]

Freight and taxes my friend. Superpro is an Australian brand so it's closer to the US. Thank EU regulations for the higher taxes on imports that's why they're pricier there

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

We don't have any information on German pricing, but import fees, taxes and shipping are probably to blame.

[@jonathanharris185]

What’s the best grease to buy and use for super pro poly bushings?

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

They don't warranty their stuff unless you use their specific grease. Here's a tub (superprousa.com/products/superpro-bushing-grease-500g-tub) but you should be able to find it in smaller packets too.

[@jmpcrx]

Hi, do the diff fillers help much with axle tramp? Thanks 👍👍

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

The diff inserts (or poly diff bushings) will help eliminate unwanted driveline movement, but a limited slip differential would be a much better solution for actual axle tramp.

[@jmpcrx]

@@FlyinMiataVideo thanks for the reply 👍. I do already have a torsen lsd, but do still get it sometimes. Its not a major issue, but just thought id ask as i remember being told it can help. Thanks 👍

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

@@jmpcrx Take a good look at your shocks as well.

[@jmpcrx]

@@FlyinMiataVideo thanks 👍. They are about 1 year old new meister r zeta crds, which tbh are awsome on the road and pretty good on track. I have uniroyal rainsport 5 tyres, which are pretty good too, maybe just differing road surfaces, but just guessing really.

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

@@jmpcrx If those shocks are adjustable, play with the settings. Doesn't matter what kind of shock you have if they're not set correctly. Axle tramp is an undamped movement of the wheel. If it's going fore-aft, bushings are a good bet. If it's going up-down, that's what shocks are specifically intended to control. A slow motion video of the wheel when it's tramping will help identify it.

[@38tech]

What headlights are in the blue turbo nb?? I need to do these and my coils.

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

As far as we know, those are factory NB2 headlight housings.

[@MrEklipze]

I bought these for my lower control arm and they sqeak like creazy. I now have to purchase the OEM bushings because figs would not take them back nor honor their warranty.

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

Sorry to hear about the noise issue. As far as we know, SuperPro has a lifetime no squeak warranty as long as they were installed properly. Give us a call or send an email and we'll work through it with you.

[@MrEklipze]

I purchased the bushings through figs, and received these Super Pro bushings. Contacted them and they suggested adding more grease. I added more grease and the issue went away for a couple of days before coming back. I asked about the warranty and they ghosted me. I honestly felt robbed out of my money and just gave up. As for the installation, I had the bushings installed by a local shop. Everything was great until the squeaking started.

[@jonathanharris185]

@@MrEklipzemaybe the suspension was tightened n torqued with it not at ride level height? Then try adding grease or DuPont dry film Teflon spray to it?

[@Dyltheboy]

So if I am replacing my shocks/springs, should I do this mod while stuff is off? I’m not 100% familiar if it would make it substantially easier to do it while I’m already down there but I have an NC1 if that gives some insight

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

We only sell the SuperPro full kits for NA/Nb at the moment, but there are some benefits for doing these and suspension at the same time. It's not necessarily easier, but it could give you more room to work. The NC suspension is fairly easy to work on. You'll probably want an alignment after either bushings or shocks and springs, so if you plan to do both, doing both at the same time means you're only doing alignment once instead of making multiple trips.

[@Dyltheboy]

@@FlyinMiataVideo thank you!

[@EccentricEllis]

Sorry for being pendantic... but Polybush is a brand. You're currently looking at polyurethane bushings from the brand super pro. They are NOT Polybushes. Polybush DO NOT require grease. Super pro polyurethane bushings do, hence they're not technically bushings, they're bearings. Polybush are designed so the material rotates on itself, using the materials elasticity to return to neutral, rather than grease allowing movement as dirt and grease don't do well together. I'd be happy to send you Polybush brand products for test though, if you want to test the original and best Polybushes. 😂

[@dielaughing73]

Dude.. you're differentiating between 'poly bushes' and 'Polybushes'. Calling a polyurethane bush a poly bush is perfectly legitimate. If Polybush wanted to avoid this endless confusion they could have chosen a less confusing name.

[@EccentricEllis]

@@dielaughing73 from what I'm aware of, Polybush UK invented them, hence the name.

[@dielaughing73]

@@EccentricEllis They're bushes. Made of poly. There's no big mystery

[@robertfontaine3650]

PTFE tape for the win. Grease fails fast.

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

If your grease fails fast, you're not using the correct/good quality grease. The stuff included with our Superpro bushings and from places like Energy suspension last ages on clean surfaces. Especially the Superpros!

[@robertfontaine3650]

@@FlyinMiataVideo Any and all grease fails. PTFE tape solves the problem of squeaking poly.

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

@@robertfontaine3650 I don't want to say that your method doesn't work since I've never tried it. However, the supplier recommends that super sticky grease and I'm pretty sure they know their product best. Thanks for watching!

[@smartbox123tv]

Dont waste your time with Polyutherane bushes like these. This Guy is just a snake oil salesman trying to flog his product. Rubber bushes are much better unless your racing a car . Rubber Bushes are quiter and smoother and generate less road noise and you never have to take your suspension apart vs Poly where you have take your suspenevery apart every few years to grease them becasue they squeak . Rubber bushes tend to last about 20 years , so I would rather take my suspension apart every 20 years vs Poly where you have to your suspenion apart every 1 to 2 years to grease them to stop them squeaking. I had Poly bushes and they squeaked every time I drove thru a Puddle and had regrease them every time . I now stick to OEM rubber and dont have to worry about driving in the rain etc and taking my supsension apart all the time to grease.

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

Not all poly bushings are created equal! You're right in that rubber bushings are smoother and create less noise and NVH (we say as much in the video), but the modern Poly bushings from SuperPro don't require the maintenance that you suggest. They have a lifetime warranty against failure and squeaking!

[@smartbox123tv]

@@FlyinMiataVideo I used Superpro Bushes on a 4WD about 10 years ago and they squeaked after a few years. Any bush that requires grease will evenually squeak when they get dirt trapped inside them and driving through water or puddles which most people do will cause dirt to get inside and squeak . A lifetime warranty is worthless if you have to waste your pulling your suspension apart to make a warranty claim where you can just use rubber bushes in the first place and never worry about pulling your suspesion apart again

[@GreendragonDMX1]

​@@smartbox123tvuntill the rubber bushes wear out again due to rubber that perishes and over time deteriorates...meaning you'll pay again and still spend the time refitting ..the only reason they would of squeaked was incorrect fitment

[@MrEklipze]

I had these brand installed on my car and they do squeak. Figs ghosted me after asking for the warranty so I'm going back to OEM which are rubber. I also read online of people having the same issue with these so I know I'm not the only one, aside of the fact that these were properly installed with the provided grease.

[@MrEklipze]

I had these installed on my car by a local shop that does suspension work. They did a great job, but the bushings started squeaking after a few weeks. Fitment was correct by the way, they still squeak. @@GreendragonDMX1

[@ricepony33]

In the long term just say no! They crumbled after a few years here in VA.

[@ricepony33]

Just to be clear, I used Polybush out of Europe. Orange. Lasted about 5 years but some squeaked even when new. They began to crumble and break down and needed to be completely replaced. Higher NVH than stock. I replaced them with rubber mazda speed style bushings from IL Motorsports. Would do it again in a heartbeat.

[@FlyinMiataVideo]

These are not your average poly bushings. The SuperPro use a different compound than most poly bushings and have a lifetime warranty against squeaking and failure.