Shock Absorber Bushes

Most shock absorbers are mounted to the vehicle through bushes at their upper and lower ends. Shock absorber bushes locate the shock, allow it to pivot slightly as the suspension moves, and help isolate the body from some of the vibration and impact the shock is working against. Use the vehicle search to find the shock bushes listed for your vehicle.

What Do Shock Absorber Bushes Do?

A shock absorber controls how quickly the suspension compresses and rebounds. To do that, it has to be held securely at both ends while still being able to follow the arc the suspension moves through. Shock bushes make that possible.

Shocks are mounted in a few common ways. An eye mount has a round eye at the end of the shock, with a bush and sleeve pressed into it and a bolt passing through. A stem or pin mount has a threaded stem that passes through the mount, with a bush on each side clamped by washers and a nut. Some shocks use a bar-pin mount, a bar with bolt holes at each end that sits within a bush. Each type uses a bush designed for that mounting style, which is why shock bush kits are specific to the vehicle or the shock fitted.

Why Shock Bushes Wear

Shock absorber bushes work every time the suspension moves. Over time, the material can harden, crack, compress or wear through, particularly at mounts that see large suspension movement, heavy loads or rough roads. Exposure to heat, water, dust and road grime can add to that wear.

Advances in shock absorbers, along with demands for more suspension travel and load carrying, have placed extra stress on shock absorber bushings. Vehicles that tow, carry heavy loads, run lifted suspension or regularly travel on corrugated or unsealed roads can put more demand on their shock bushes than vehicles used mainly on sealed roads.

Signs Your Shock Absorber Bushes May Need Replacing

Worn shock bushes can contribute to:

• clunking, knocking or rattling from the front or rear suspension, especially over bumps or potholes
• squeaking from the shock mounts as the suspension moves
• a harsher or less controlled ride
• visible cracking, splitting, flattening or missing material in the bushes
• movement at the shock mount, or a shock that can be moved by hand at its mounting point.

These symptoms are also common with other worn parts, including the shock absorbers themselves, sway bar links and bushes, control arm bushes, ball joints and spring mounts. Shock bushes can also look acceptable from the outside but be worn through in the centre, so the wear may only be clear once the shock is removed. Have the suspension inspected by a qualified technician to confirm what needs replacing.

Shock Absorber Bush Kits

Kit contents vary, so check the components list on each product page.

Upper and Lower Shock Absorber Bush Kits

Upper shock absorber bush kits suit the top mount of the shock, often a stem or eye mount. Lower kits suit the bottom mount, commonly at the axle, control arm or a lower bracket. Some kits cover both the upper and lower mounts, which is useful when replacing all the bushes on a shock at once.

Shock Mount and Shock-to-Control-Arm Bush Kits

On some suspension designs, the lower end of the shock mounts to a control arm, and the bush is part of that joint. Shock-to-control-arm and control arm lower-shock mount bush kits are designed for these setups. Other shock mount bush kits are made for particular shock and mount combinations, including kits listed for specific aftermarket shocks.

Universal Shock Absorber Bush Kits

Universal shock bush kits are sized by dimension rather than by vehicle. The product page lists measurements such as outside diameter, inside diameter and length. These kits can suit a range of applications, including some aftermarket shocks. Measure your existing bushes and mounts, and compare them to the listed dimensions before ordering. Any modification needed to make a universal part fit is the responsibility of the purchaser or installer.

Polyurethane or Rubber Shock Bushes?

Factory shock absorber bushes are often rubber, which is why replacement bushes are sometimes called shock absorber rubbers. Aftermarket bushes are commonly available in polyurethane. Each material has different characteristics.

Some shock and suspension manufacturers specify a particular bush material for their products, so check their recommendations before changing material. The right choice depends on the vehicle, the shock fitted and how the vehicle is used. A technician can help you decide which suits your setup.

Choosing the Right Shock Absorber Bush Kit

Before ordering, check the following:

• Fitment. Use the vehicle search to find the kits listed for your vehicle, and confirm whether you need front or rear, upper or lower.
• Mount type. Confirm whether your shocks use eye, stem or bar-pin mounts, and whether they mount to the axle, a bracket or a control arm.
• Aftermarket shocks. If you've fitted aftermarket shocks, the bushes may differ from the factory parts. Check the shock manufacturer's specifications, or use a universal kit with matching dimensions.
• The shocks themselves. If the shocks are worn, leaking or damaged, new bushes alone won't restore ride control. When fitting new shocks, check whether new bushes are supplied, and whether the mounts and sleeves are in good condition.

If you're not sure what's causing a noise or ride issue, a free suspension check is a good place to start.

Fitting with Click & Fit

Choose Click & Fit at checkout to buy your shock absorber bush kit online and have it fitted at a Fulcrum workshop. Your parts are delivered to the workshop and an installation date is booked with you.

Buy Shock Absorber Bushes from Fulcrum

Bushes for the rest of the suspension, from sway bars to trailing arms, are in our full suspension bushes range.

Shock absorber bushes work alongside the rest of the suspension, so it's often worth checking related components at the same time. Select your vehicle to see the shock absorber bush kits available, or talk to your nearest Service Centre about the right bushes for your shocks and the way you drive. Every product we supply is backed by our warranty, a fitment guarantee and the support of a nationwide workshop network.