We were thrilled to welcome Fraser and the team from LR Centre—one of our local Land Rover distributors—to Polybush recently, giving them an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at how our legendary polyurethane suspension bushes are made from start to finish. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on in a British workshop that invented both the Polybush product and the Polybush brand, read on!

From Mould to Finished Bush: A Speedy Tour

1. Mould Making in the Machining Department
   Fraser got to see our in-house machinists crafting the precision steel moulds that give each bush its shape. Accuracy here is vital: a fraction of a millimetre can make the difference between a perfect fit and premature wear.

2. Casting: Bringing Polyurethane to Life
   Next, our casting team pours and cures high-grade polyurethane into those moulds. This is where we introduce our secret formulations to control hardness, rebound and durability.

3. Trimming and Quality Control
   Finally, the trimming department cleans up each bush to remove any flash or excess material, ensuring smooth installation. We won’t bore you with every snip and buff, but rest assured every bush passes rigorous checks before it leaves our UK factory.

Polyurethane vs Rubber: Myth-Busting

Whenever you shop for suspension bushes, you’ll encounter two camps: rubber or polyurethane. Here’s why we consistently recommend polyurethane:

• Longevity: Unlike rubber, which can perish, crack or swell with age and heat, polyurethane retains its properties for years, even under extreme off-road or performance use.

• Precision Feel: Rubber can feel vague or mushy. Polyurethane delivers a more predictable response, so you know exactly how your Land Rover (or any car) will behave.

• Customisation: Think polyurethane is always rock-hard? Think again.

Hardness Is Not One-Size-Fits-All

One of the biggest myths is that all poly bushes are “concrete hard.” At Polybush, we offer a spectrum of grades for Classic & Land Rover:

“Feel” is all about understanding what you want from your vehicle—whether that’s razor-sharp steering or a supple ride over country lanes. Our job is to match the right bush to your driving style.

Defining Your Land Rover Persona

There are many types of Land Rover owner, so it’s crucial to:

1. Choose the Right Material
   Do you crave the compliance of rubber for classic cruising, or the precision of polyurethane for modern performance?

2. Know Your Usage

   • Weekend Explorer: Comfort grade for trails and tarmac.

   • Daily Driver: Dynamic grade for a drive that’s not only comfortable, but direct and controlled at speed.

   • Remapped / Towing: Performance grade built to withstand heavy use, for those craving speed or towing.

Defining your “Driver Persona” guarantees you pick the ideal bush—and that’s a promise few competitors make.

Why Polybush Stands Out

• 100 % UK Made: From raw steel to finished product, every step happens under one roof in Britain.

• Pioneers of Polybush: We didn’t just adopt polyurethane; we invented the product and the brand nearly 40 years ago.

• Unrivalled Quality: Our commitment to quality control and in-house design means you get a bush that outperforms every time.

Whether you’re fitting a Defender, Discovery or Dream-Car, Polybush remains the go-to choice in the Land Rover market.

Beyond Land Rovers

Polybush isn’t exclusive to classic and modern Land Rovers. Our bushes fit a vast array of vehicles:

• Ford Fiesta, Mondeo

• Volkswagen Golf

• Mazda Mazda

• …and many more

If it’s got suspension, we’ve almost certainly got a polyurethane bush to improve its ride and handling. Non-Standard or even custom-made?
Head to our “Can’t Find What You’re Looking For” page.

Watch the Factory Tour

Curious to see Fraser’s visit in action? Check out the video here:
👉 Take the factory tour with LR Centre

Explore Our Land Rover Range

Ready to upgrade your suspension? Browse our full Land Rover bush selection here:
👉 Polybush Land Rover Page

Thanks for reading. Whether you’re restoring a Series II or tuning a Defender 90, we’re here to help you find the perfect bush for your adventure.

If you own a Mazda 2 (DE, DH) (2007-2015), Ford B-Max (JK) (2012-On), Ecosport (CBW) (2014-On), or a Fiesta Mk7 (CB1, CCN) – be it Non ST (2008-2017) or ST (2013-2017), you’ll know the frustration when your rear beam or rear axle bushes start to fail.

The OEM part numbers 1535296, 1751679, 1805815, 1805866, 1871475, 8V51-5K653-AA, AY11-5K653-AA are notorious for not living up to expectations, leaving many drivers dealing with constant repairs and a noticeably compromised ride.

The Dreaded Symptoms of Failing Rear Axle Bushes

Imagine driving your Fiesta, only to notice an unsettling looseness during the cornering. When the original rubber bushes fail, you typically experience symptoms such as excessive vibration, imprecise handling, and a general loss of feedback. The harsh reality is that your rubber bushes undergo stress daily – the plastic shell develops cracks, the rubber debonds from the tube, and the housing deteriorates. More than a mere inconvenience, a failing bush can lead to additional wear on other components, meaning more money is spent on repairs in the long run.

Why Polybush 40BR is the Best Choice

Now, imagine the transformation with the installation of the Polybush 40BR. Manufactured from premium polyurethane, this bush is engineered to withstand deflection and resist the natural wear and tear that plagues standard rubber. Here’s what you can expect:

• Enhanced Driving Precision: With the voids removed from the original bush design, the 40BR offers a firmer connection between your chassis and axle. This means more precise handling through corners, improved grip, and overall better control of your Fiesta.

• Retained Comfort: Despite its stiffer build, the design ensures that you still experience the original ride comfort of your car. Whether you’re just popping to the shops or pushing your Fiesta on the track, the upgrade benefits all driving styles.

• Improved Tyre Life and Braking: By reducing unwanted deflection, your tyres experience less wear, and your braking system performs more reliably, making every journey feel secure and enjoyable.

A Hassle-Free Installation

Mechanics – and even those of us who aren’t professional mechanics – appreciate the ease of installing the Polybush 40BR. One of its standout benefits is that there is no need to remove the axle from your Fiesta. A straightforward, hassle-free installation means you’re back on the road in no time, enjoying the improved handling and ride quality that your car deserves.

A Final Word

For those who value comfort, reliability, and longevity, switching to polyurethane is a no-brainer. With failing rear axle bushes causing all sorts of headaches on models like the Mazda 2, Ford B-Max, Ecosport, and Fiesta Mk7, why settle for a temporary fix with rubber? Instead, opt for a solution that lasts. As we like to say, “Fit it once, fit Polybush.”

So, if you’re ready to put an end to the recurring failures and the mounting repair bills, give the 40BR a try. It’s a godsend for both garages and vehicle owners alike—a true upgrade for your ride that combines expert engineering with the simplicity of a perfect fit.

Explore Our Range of Suspension Upgrades

While the Polybush 40BR is your go-to for resolving rear axle issues, don’t forget that our product range extends beyond this. We also offer:

• Front Wishbone Bushes: Both our 40BM (front) and 40BN (rear) – optimised for your specific driving conditions.

• Front ARB Bush (40BS): Designed to complement the suspension geometry for a more balanced ride.

• Rear Spring Upper Anti-Squeak Pad (40CH): A handy addition when changing the rear axle bush, ensuring that extra bit of quiet and performance.

Each of these parts is engineered with the same commitment to quality and performance. They are available for direct purchase from us – simply click here to browse our product range and upgrade your Ford Fiesta today.

Hi there, fellow MX-5 enthusiast, Ellis here – Proud owner of a Turbo Mk1 and lifelong MX-5 fanatic.
If you’re anything like me, you love the raw driving feel of the Mazda MX-5 (Especially the earlier models) The perfect balance of nimbleness, top-down thrills, and grin-inducing cornering keeps us coming back for more.

But let’s be honest—after a few years (or decades in my Mk1’s case), certain parts start to let the side down; The humble door bushing can be improved significantly, with extremely low effort & cost.

Let me explain why swapping out the rubber bushings for Polybush’s 27AS polyurethane door bushings is one of the easiest—and most satisfying—upgrades you can make to your MX-5.

What Do Door The Bushings Actually Do?

You know that satisfying thunk when you close a solid car door? That’s partly thanks to door bushings. Those little guys make sure your doors align properly, helping to keep everything rigid and rattle-free. On an MX-5—where chassis stiffness plays a big role in handling—well-aligned doors aren’t just about avoiding squeaks; they’re about keeping that legendary road feel intact.

Why Your OEM Rubber Bushings Let You Down

The factory rubber bushings? They’re fine—when new. But Mazda designed them for comfort and cost-effectiveness, not long-term performance. So what that means is:
Ageing Woes: Rubber doesn’t age gracefully. Sun, rain, heat—you name it—rubber gets hard, cracks, and eventually just gives up. (This is the same for tyres, suspension bushes etc.)
Door Misalignment: As the rubber ages and deforms, your doors start shifting more than they should. There’ll be annoying little rattles, vibrations, and that frustrating “loose door” feel.
Potential Knock-On Damage: Misalignment can wear out door latches and hinges. Ignore it for too long, and you could be facing repairs that’ll hit your wallet harder than you’d like.

Why Polybush 27AS Polyurethane Bushings Are The Way Forward

Here’s where Polybush comes in—and let me tell you, after fitting these (and other parts) to my Mk1, the difference was night and day! I think you’ll love them because:
Durability That Lasts: Polyurethane laughs in the face of heat, moisture, and UV. These bushings will outlive your car’s engine and we all know they go FOREVER!
Rock-Solid Rigidity: Polybush bushings aren’t just stiffer, they’re made to fit the door cup properly, which means less door movement and a more solid feel when you shut the door.
Bonus: it helps preserve that all-important chassis stiffness, and increases audio quality.
Bye-Bye, Rattles: With proper door alignment restored, say farewell to those cabin noises that make you crank up the radio.
Fit-and-Forget: These are designed to last the lifetime of your MX-5, saving you money, increasing performance and making it a nicer car to drive.

Why Go for Polybush’s 27AS?

The 27AS bushings are fit for all MX-5 generations—Mk1 through Mk4. No faffing about with modifications; they’re a direct swap for the OEM parts. Installation’s straightforward too—if you can handle a screwdriver and an Allen key, you’ll be done in less than 5 minutes. And once they’re in? A satisfying clunk appears, your doors feel secure, the whole car feels just that bit tighter and the audio quality improves.

Where Can You Buy A Set?

Easy—head over to MX5 Parts. They’re our trusted MX5 distributor, they stock everything an MX-5 nut like me (and probably you) could ever need.

Final Thoughts from Ellis

Look, I get it—door bushings aren’t the flashiest upgrade. They’re not shiny wheels or a new exhaust, or in my case, a hybrid turbo! But trust me, the difference in how your car feels is massive for such a small mod. With the Polybush 27AS bushings, my Mk1 feels more solid than it has in years. No rattles, no vibrations—just me, the road, and that pure MX-5 joy.

So why let something as simple as worn bushings detract from your driving experience? Make the swap, and fall in love with your MX-5 all over again.

See you on the twisties!
— Ellis

Want To See The Other Mazda Parts We Have – CLICK HERE