26/08/2026
💡 PRO TIP: Suspension bushes
When we think about how long suspension bushes should last, it’s natural to compare today’s replacements with the bushes fitted to an MG when it was new. But there’s an interesting point that’s easily overlooked.
🚗 Let’s think about how these cars were used when they were new. An MG in the 1960s, 70s or 80s was often a daily driver, covering regular mileage and, importantly, regularly exercising its suspension.
Today, many classic MGs lead a very different life. They may cover relatively few miles, spend long periods standing and sometimes receive considerably more cleaning than they ever did when they were new!
🧪 Ozone, age and exposure to some chemical cleaners and storage conditions can all contribute to the deterioration of a vehicles exposed rubber components.
🔧 There’s another factor too: how the bushes are fitted.
Over more than 45 years, we’ve seen an awful lot of MGs and, occasionally, the fundamentals of fitting have been overlooked.
The condition of the chassis components where the bush is fitted, the lubrication used during installation and ensuring the suspension isn’t tightened while the bushes are being held in a preloaded position can all influence how a bush performs over its service life.
And this isn’t something unique to classic cars. We’ve seen dried and cracked original bushes on barn-find Rover and MG vehicles that had covered remarkably few road miles. Time, environment and lack of use can be just as interesting as the mileage on the clock.
💡 It’s also worth knowing that the traditional TOPHAT bush design is more exposed to ozone and the elements. Where appropriate, the stronger metalastic MGB V8-style bush can offer considerably greater longevity.
MG Tech, Roger Parker talks us through his 50+ years of experienced, hands-on observations here https://www.mgocspares.co.uk/blog/1287/extending-the-life-of-rubber-parts-on-your-classic
None of this means we stop looking at the products themselves. Quite the opposite.
🔍 At MGOC Spares, we continually review, assess and evaluate the products we supply. We work closely with our established manufacturing partners and are always looking for opportunities to improve the parts we offer and understand how they perform in the real world.
After all, choosing suspension bushes isn’t simply about finding a replacement. There are different materials, specifications and designs, each with their own characteristics and compromises. It all depends on what you want from your car.
That’s where our experience comes in. We're always happy to discuss your parts needs and help make you make the right selection for you and your MG, with experienced sales team who provide unpressured, expert guidance based on many years' experience.
👍 Because when it comes to classic MGs, with decades of product development and ingenuity,— there’s often a choice, and we’re here to help you make an informed one.
MGOC Spares — here to keep you driving.
