Have a product question?

SuperPro receives a huge number of questions from our customers.  We’ve compiled some of the most frequent below. If the answer you are looking for is not here, please contact us directly at: technical.usa@superpro.com.au

What do you recommend, first replace the front bushings with polyurethane bushings, or replace all of the rear axle bushings first?

We don’t think of it in terms of front or rear, more in terms of replacing the most critical bushings in either the front or the rear. Replacing some front bushings and not replacing any rear bushings may lead to an experience that is less than ideal from a performance handling perspective. SuperPro bushings perform better and retain that improved performance much longer than rubber, it always best to keep the car as balanced as possible.

Another consideration is the installation time and replacing related bushings at the same time.  We often have customers who target a failed or severely worn rubber bushing for replacement, but determine another bushing in the same arm or area is worn but perhaps not as significantly as their prime target.  While they have deferred the cost of that additional bushing, they’ve also created a larger cost in inevitably addressing it but creating redundant labor time or cost in the near future.

Will I improve my handling by fitting SuperPro Polyurethane Suspension bushes?

Yes, and in most cases; dramatically so.  Reducing unwanted movement in suspension arms is always the goal. Soft stock rubber bushings are the enemy of performance handling and lead to excessive tire wear.

The whole philosophy of SuperPro is to maintain optimal tire contact with the road, this is what delivers grip.

The biggest improvement comes in most applications from the positive location of the suspension arms during high speed cornering. SuperPro bushings in these locations maintain dynamic caster on any vehicle they are fitted too. Every application SuperPro makes bushings for will benefit massively from a SuperPro upgrade. The end result of installing the complete SuperPro package is a car that loses the vagueness on turning into corners and is far more predictable on the limits of cornering.

So, whatever you drive, a SuperPro upgrade will deliver discernible benefits in handling and grip.

Is it true that Polyurethane bushings can’t stretch?

This is absolutely not true in the case of SuperPro. SuperPro has a high level of resilience; it will stretch but will not rip, tear or shear. In addition it has excellent memory, it will always return to its original shape every time, making it an ideal choice for every application, whether it is road, track, rally or off-road 4WD.

What would you look for in the cars handling to determine if the poly bushings are creating stiction or binding? Is there a hierarchy of checks to rule other things out that could potentially be causing handling issues that you can recommend before pointing the finger at the bushings?

SuperPro bushings are in some applications a free pivoting, bearing style bushing. In other applications there will be inbuilt resistance to the motion of the suspension arm.

Stiction or binding in our bushings will normally be as a result of miss-aligned suspension arms, a forced fit approach from the installer or lack of grease. With SuperPro, the application of the supplied grease during the installation is critical to ensure the serviceability and life of the bushing.

As far as diagnosing a binding bushing, it is a feel thing. The best place to start is to remove any load from the suspension arm and work it through the normal field of travel, while checking for an excessive amount of resistance.

Could you explain the various optimal sway setups for AWD, RWD, and FWD?

Neutralizing understeer is a primary factor in selecting sway bars; this is sometimes best achieved by having the rear at a higher rating than previously. Going too hard on the rear bars will induce over steer. Finding the balance for each type of vehicle is the key, assessing the feedback and only changing one thing at a time is the best way forward. Having adjustable sway bars in a matched pair is paramount to being able to “balance” the car.

It is also important to note that this isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ exercise.  Different driving styles, preferences and disciplines will benefit from different settings.  Autocrossers may favor more default oversteer and greater off-throttle rotation as their events typically involve lower (relative) speeds and safe run-off areas.  Open lapping and track days may require a more neutral setup dictated by higher speeds, predictability and a margin of safety.

We’re always happy to help you find a good starting place, but adjusting the balance is simple and straightforward requiring only basic hand tools and can have a huge impact on the balance of the car and tailoring that balance to your liking as a driver.

Say you have an OEM sway bar, replace the bushings with polyurethane units, and then use shorter, adjustable end links, is it the same theory as those adjustable sway bars with multiple holes by shortening the lever arm, rigidity increases?

Adjustable Swaybar with multiple holes are effectively changing the distance from the fulcrum point of Swaybar where it mounts on the chassis to where it attaches to the suspension, in the same plane. This is what changes the rate of a Swaybar. Adjustable links are used to make this possible. Changing rubber bushes to SuperPro will eliminate any undesirable movement in an OEM bar and force it to “work” at the original OEM rate.

However, shortening adjustable sway bar links differently on each side of the vehicle will put some preload onto a sway bar; this will not result in achieving anything like the same rate increase as a larger diameter, adjustable Swaybar.

Are your bushes a copy of the originals?

Due to the different way Polyurethane works, this requires the design of the bushing to be different than the stock rubber bushing.  Throughout our catalog you’ll find unique designs and solution developed through our decades of experience.  Whether to provide proper range of motion, mitigate NVH, ease fitment or enhance durability – these designs can show little resemblance to the OEM rubber components they replace.  You will find these types of bushings on the market where they’ve simply created a mould seemingly from a rubber bushing and filled it with a different material.  This is like playing tennis with a baseball – both are round – but it certainly doesn’t change the game for the better.  The array of designed solutions can give SuperPro bushes a major advantage over the stock rubber versions as they can eliminate problems where rubber bushings are prone to excessive movement and premature failure.

I use my car daily, will fitting SuperPro make the ride uncomfortable?

Due to the unique properties of the raw material and the design techniques used in the manufacture SuperPro Polyurethane bushings they will not cause any extra noise or feelings of harshness over the stock rubber bushing. This makes them suitable for road cars and race cars.

You’ll find other mentions of the concept throughout our website; SuperPro believes in genuine enhancement – performance without compromise.  Comfort and NVH isolation are important aspects in our development.  What good is a better handling car if it is miserable to live with to the extent that you cannot enjoy it.  SuperPro delivers a better driving vehicle that drivers can appreciate on the most mundane drives – a car that tracks straight and true on the commute, accurate steering and a composed ride that make for easy miles behind the wheel, and controlled ride motions so the car does not pitch and drive at every stop.

Are they difficult to fit?

 All SuperPro bushings can be fitted with normal workshop tools and equipment. Where necessary, grease is supplied for effective operation and to assist fitment, but in many cases the most difficult job will be removing the old bushing!

Want it even easier?  SuperPro continues to develop our range of press tools for quicker and easier fitment and our range of complete arms and components continues to grow.