SUPERPRO Suspension Bushes with Fitting Position Rear Axle for MITSUBISHI PAJERO NS - NX

4WD suspension bushes sit at the pivot points of the suspension, where arms, springs, shocks and axles connect to the chassis. They let those parts move while controlling how far they move, and they absorb some of the vibration and shock travelling from the road into the vehicle. On a 4WD, heavy loads, corrugations, off-road articulation, water and mud all speed up bush wear, and a lift can change the angles bushes work at. Worn bushes are a common cause of clunks, vague steering and uneven tyre wear. Use the vehicle search to find suspension bushes to suit your NS - NX PAJERO.

What Do NS - NX PAJERO Suspension Bushes Do?

Every suspension component that pivots needs something at the pivot point. In most suspension systems, that is a bush: a sleeve of rubber or polyurethane fitted between a metal outer housing and an inner sleeve, through which the mounting bolt passes. As the suspension moves, the bush allows the arm, spring or axle to rotate or flex at that point.

Bushes do more than allow movement. They locate each component accurately, holding it in position so that wheel alignment stays consistent. They also isolate the body from vibration and road noise. When a bush wears, the component it locates can move further than intended, which changes alignment as the vehicle drives and lets knocks and vibration through to the cabin.

What Are the Signs of Worn NS - NX PAJERO Suspension Bushes?

Common signs include clunks or knocks from underneath when driving over bumps, accelerating, braking or changing direction. The steering may feel vague or wander, and the vehicle may feel less settled on rough roads or when towing. Uneven tyre wear is another frequent indicator, since worn bushes let alignment angles change as the suspension moves.

A visual inspection often confirms the problem. Look for bushes that are cracked, split, perished or squeezed out of their housings, and for components that move noticeably at their mounts when the vehicle is rocked or levered with a bar. Rust streaks or polished marks around a bush can point to movement.

Other worn components, such as ball joints, steering joints, wheel bearings, shock absorbers and engine or transmission mounts, can produce similar symptoms. An inspection by a technician is recommended to find the cause.

Which Bushes Matter Most on Your NS - NX PAJERO?

Bushes appear throughout a 4WD's suspension, but some work harder than others and are more likely to need attention.

NS - NX PAJERO Leaf Spring and Shackle Bushes

Leaf-sprung 4WDs and utes have bushes in the eyes at each end of the leaf springs and in the shackles that let the springs lengthen as they flex. These bushes carry the full weight of the rear of the vehicle and its load, and they are exposed to water and grit thrown up by the rear wheels. Worn spring eye or shackle bushes can cause clunks, rear-end movement and a vehicle that feels loose when towing.

NS - NX PAJERO Radius Arm and Panhard Rod Bushes

On coil-sprung live axle 4WDs, radius arm bushes locate the front axle fore and aft, and panhard rod bushes locate it sideways. Worn radius arm bushes can affect caster and steering stability, while worn panhard rod bushes let the axle shift sideways. Both are common contributors to steering shake on solid front axle 4WDs.

NS - NX PAJERO Control Arm and Alignment Bushes

On independent front suspension 4WDs, the upper and lower control arms pivot on bushes at the chassis. These bushes hold the arms in position and directly affect camber and caster. Worn control arm bushes can cause wander, clunks and uneven tyre wear.

NS - NX PAJERO Diff Mount and Shock Bushes

Differential mount bushes on independent front suspension 4WDs isolate the front differential from the chassis, and worn ones can cause clunks when taking off or changing direction in four-wheel drive. Shock absorber bushes at the top and bottom of each shock cushion its mountings, and worn shock bushes can cause knocking over bumps.

Polyurethane or Rubber Bushes for Your NS - NX PAJERO?

Factory suspension bushes are usually rubber. Rubber isolates vibration and road noise well, keeping the cabin quiet, but it softens, cracks and deforms with age, heat, oil and constant load. As rubber deforms, the components it locates gain room to move.

Polyurethane bush makers generally state that polyurethane resists wear and deformation better than rubber, and holds its shape under load for longer. Because polyurethane is firmer, it can locate suspension components more precisely, which helps keep alignment consistent. The trade-off is that a firmer bush can transmit more vibration and road noise into the cabin than rubber. The right choice depends on how the vehicle is used. A heavily loaded touring 4WD that spends time on rough roads may benefit from firmer, longer-lasting bushes, while a vehicle used mainly for daily driving may favour the quieter ride of rubber.

Do You Need New Bushes When Fitting a Lift to Your NS - NX PAJERO?

Not always. A lift kit does not require new bushes in itself, but many installers replace worn bushes while the suspension is apart, since access is already easy and fitting new springs and shocks to worn bushes does not give the full benefit of the upgrade.

Some lifts also benefit from bushes designed to correct geometry. On independent front suspension 4WDs, offset or alignment correction bushes for the upper control arms can help restore camber and caster after a lift. On live axle 4WDs, caster correction bushes for the radius arms can restore some of the caster a lift takes away. Whether these are needed depends on the vehicle and lift height, so check what your setup needs with a wheel alignment after the lift.

What Are NS - NX PAJERO Caster Correction Bushes?

When a coil-sprung live axle 4WD is lifted, the radius arms angle down more steeply, rotating the front axle and reducing caster. Reduced caster can make the steering lighter, less stable at speed and slower to return to centre.

Caster correction bushes are offset bushes fitted to the radius arms. The offset position of the inner sleeve rotates the axle back slightly, restoring some of the caster lost through the lift. How much correction they provide depends on the kit and the lift height. They suit moderate corrections, while larger lifts may need replacement radius arms to restore caster fully.

Why Choose Greasable Bushes for Your NS - NX PAJERO?

Greasable bushes use pins or sleeves fitted with grease nipples, so the bush can be re-lubricated during servicing without removing it. They are most common on leaf spring eyes and shackles, where the bush rotates constantly as the spring flexes and is exposed to water, mud and dust.

Regular greasing flushes out contamination and replaces lost lubricant, which is generally intended to reduce wear and noise over the life of the bush. Greasable bushes suit 4WDs that see water crossings, beach driving and dusty tracks, where non-greasable bushes can dry out and wear quickly. They do need to be greased at regular service intervals to get that benefit.

Why Do NS - NX PAJERO Polyurethane Bushes Squeak?

Squeaking from polyurethane bushes is often linked to a lack of lubrication between the bush and its inner sleeve. Polyurethane bushes generally rely on grease at the rotating joint, and if they are fitted dry or the grease is washed out by water and dirt, they can squeak as the suspension moves. Using the correct bushing grease at installation, and re-greasing serviceable bushes, is commonly recommended.

Fitting NS - NX PAJERO Suspension Bushes: An Overview

Many suspension bushes are pressed into their housings and require suitable press tooling to remove and install without damaging the housing. Bushes that pass a bolt through them should generally be tightened with the vehicle at normal ride height, so the bush is not preloaded in a twisted position. All fasteners must be tightened to the manufacturer's torque specifications, and a wheel alignment is usually needed after replacing bushes that locate the wheels or axles.

Get the Right NS - NX PAJERO Suspension Bushes with Formula 4x4

Suspension bushes are the biggest part of the Formula 4x4 suspension parts range, with complete bushing kits when the whole vehicle is due.

Start by identifying which bushes are worn and where they sit in the suspension, and consider whether your lift or load calls for correction or greasable bushes. Search by your NS - NX PAJERO to find 4WD suspension bushes to suit it. If you are unsure what your NS - NX PAJERO needs, contact the Formula 4x4 team.