A potentially controversial topic…

I’m interested to hear from anyone who has direct experience of installing Superpro bushes on their L322 (or other air sprung LR models such as D3/4, RRS, P38).

Please note: Superpro bushes are not the same (material or construction) as what I loosely term ‘polybushes’. Yes, I know many people have spoken on here on numerous threads about polybushes (Polybush, Powerflex, other brands are available) and I agree - their use is sub-optimal on the L322 and I agree that users should proceed with caution if they consider using them. I do not intend this thread to turn into yet another conversation about an already well-discussed topic, so if you’d like to tell all about the negatives of polybushes, please note that there are other threads out there for you.

I would like to garner experience and evidence-based commentary specifically on Superpro, as I think that their different material and construction methods (which are arguably superior to polybushes) have the potential to offer significant benefits to our beloved vehicles, in comfort, precise handling and longevity.

The Superpro range for L322s includes the front arms, rear arms, and ARBs. I’m very tempted to give them a go as and when it’s time to change my own bushes out. I’ve seen and heard a few positive experiences from D3 and RRS owners (none negative), but there seems to be a glut of ‘reviews’ out there from LR owners like us.

Extremely grateful for your views… Andy

2010 4.4TDV8 Vogue SE in Santorini Black with Ivory interior
2017 Audi SQ5 3.0 V6T Quattro in Volcano Red
2001 Audi Allroad 2.5 TDI manual with low-range in Highland Green. Currently SORN whilst undergoing some serious restoration!

If you’d like to do a bit of education and understand the differences between Superpro and other polybushes, this is probably the best video that I have found out there. 25 mins long, but really does cover a lot of ground and very useful info

 Andy

2010 4.4TDV8 Vogue SE in Santorini Black with Ivory interior
2017 Audi SQ5 3.0 V6T Quattro in Volcano Red
2001 Audi Allroad 2.5 TDI manual with low-range in Highland Green. Currently SORN whilst undergoing some serious restoration!

Fitted them to my own D3, and a family members D3

Both drive fantastic, the latter having been done nearly 6 years ago, and not had to replace a suspension bush since

Mikey, noting your legendary status in this community, that’s a HUGE endorsement and confidence inspiring to give it a go myself!

I’d hope that they tighten up my handling but without transferring the same harshness being reported by polybush users. Is that a fair expectation? Andy

2010 4.4TDV8 Vogue SE in Santorini Black with Ivory interior
2017 Audi SQ5 3.0 V6T Quattro in Volcano Red
2001 Audi Allroad 2.5 TDI manual with low-range in Highland Green. Currently SORN whilst undergoing some serious restoration!

Very interesting info Andy,

What they say in the video is very comprehensive

i think I will give then a try 2012 Range Rover 4.4 tdv8 Autobiography

Fitting standard bushes to front upper and lower control arms and rear toe arms 'tightened up handling' significantly on mine but has made the ride harsher. One advantage of all of these aftermarket bush designs is that they are easier to fit that stock as they don't need pressing in with special tools. I've fitted polly bushes to other cars for this reason alone. 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

Ajmngn wrote:

Mikey, noting your legendary status in this community, that’s a HUGE endorsement and confidence inspiring to give it a go myself!

I’d hope that they tighten up my handling but without transferring the same harshness being reported by polybush users. Is that a fair expectation?

I cant compare handling, as I went from standard ARB's to Active Roll Control (Hydraulic ARBs), various RRS suspension arms, RRS front struts and D4 rears, as well as a full set of Superpros
So it handles nothing like a Disco anymore

It is, however, much more fun to throw around and surprises quite a few people unable to pull away from a small house

So, about a year on from my original post I have finally fitted Superpro bushes to my front lower arms.

My truck is due it’s MOT and I knew the front bushes and ball joints would likely be an advisory as a minimum, so have been gathering up the parts and waiting for the right opportunity to get it done.

I bought a full set of Superpro bushes for all front lower arms, rear upper and lower wishbones, and also front and rear anti-roll bars for £535 (discounted) from a company called ML Performance. The only additional bushes available are for the rear diff in the subframe so didn’t purchase those for the moment.

I’ve only sorted the front arms so far. My plan is to do the rear wishbones as and when I can, and also the ARBs once I’ve worked out how best to get them out and strip off the existing bonded bushes.

To do the fronts, I also bought a full set of Febi Bilstein arms and ball joints from Auto Doc which came to £205 inc delivery, which I thought was good value.

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Great job! How much was the bush set for the front as I guess most people would opt to just reuse their existing arms? 2012 TDV8 Vogue (L322)

I found all the parts from a company called ML Performance. All the parts were being offered at a discount when I bought this so I’d imagine it would be over £600 if one bought the same at full price. Here’s the order invoice

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Great post, thank you for sharing

Fitted new front arms and lower balljoint to the driver's side last weekend...my god, what a job.

The drive is already much improved, I am just mentally preparing myself for the passenger side!

If I could get black Superpro bushes for next time I would definitely consider it. Anything not black or standard-looking would result in an ITV (MOT) failure here. 2012 4.4 TDV8 Westminster - Baltic Blue, Jet interior
1997 P38 2.5 DSE auto & 1998 P38 2.5 DT Manual
1988 Vogue 3.5 EFI - Manual, gone.
2004 Volvo C70 2.0T convertible, had since new.
2007 Mazda MX-5 2.0 Sport Roadster/Coupé, had since new.
2024 Mini Cooper S cabrio, JCW kit, 2.0, DCT auto

Some time ago I fitted for a very short time a 2-piece poly bush with a centre tube set (Powerflex) that I found unacceptably harsh on any surface that wasn't very smooth.

Are those bushes single piece or an outer shell with 2 half bushes and a centre tube? I'd be prepared to try just another brand hoping that the compound might be more pliable.

Mine's standard Lemforder bushes last barely 12 months, with the gap to the braking block widening very soon after fitment . A recent wheel alignment with already a gap causes lots of toe-out when braking, particularly noticible on long, downhill braking which causes the AT tyres to hum as the tread blocks scruff. I would dearly like to fit full-section bushes.

Graeme, they are single piece bushes with a separate outer sleeve a centre tube.

One benefit is that the bush is not bonded to the outer sleeve meaning that they can freely articulate without damaging the bush. I was looking at fitting either an X-lifter or an easy lift by Land Rover Passion, so liked the idea that I could run the truck at a lowered or raised height permanently without putting the bushes under undue strain. https://www.easylift-eas.com/

For example, if I wanted to run the vehicle with a 20mm drop on highways (lower CoG at speed and slightly more aero) then I would be able to do this without the bushes having to be installed and bolts tightened at a non-standard height if that was my ‘go to’ height for most uses.

As I said further up the thread, I doubt the NVH is as low as rubber, but the Superpro website is adamant that the construction is different from ‘polybushes’ and without direct experience of the latter, I suspect that Superpro is somewhere in between. Either way, I’ve done a few hundred miles on them since the weekend and am really impressed so can’t wait to get the rear ones fitted soon! Andy

2010 4.4TDV8 Vogue SE in Santorini Black with Ivory interior
2017 Audi SQ5 3.0 V6T Quattro in Volcano Red
2001 Audi Allroad 2.5 TDI manual with low-range in Highland Green. Currently SORN whilst undergoing some serious restoration!

Thanks Ajmngn.

SuperPro advised that the compound in these bushes is 80 Duro. Their range is 70, 80, 90 and 95 Duro.

PowerFlex have advised that their black compound which is their hardest is normally reserved for track use and definitely unsuitable for use on gravel roads. This explains my experience with them. PowerFlex are checking with their manufacturer if a softer compound can be used for these bushes.