Hi all

I have had the most annoying squeak from my rear suspension since it was MOTd at end of Feb, not so much a suspension squeak, more a body movement induced squeak.

Thought it was bushes so I bit the bullet and ordered a set of roll bar and trailing arm poly bushes.

Quite easy to remove the old bushes and fit the new and yippee the squeak has disappeared at last.

I know it was seven years ago when I bought the Freelander and I know your mind does get used to gradual changes over time but the steering seems sharper and corners much better, definitely less body roll on corners, the smoothness of the ride has not changed but it does seem to transmit more noise from rough road surfaces, not too intrusive but noticeable to me.

Anyone else running on polybushes and noticed differences.  MY2014 SD4 XS
Ipanema Sand

MY10 TD4-e GS Manual
Lago Grey Now retired after 8 trouble free years

I've polybushed a Defender and a Disco Td5 and also a BMW 300D - all much improved.

Not done a FL2 but its something think about in the future as I intend to keep our 64 plate SD4 for as long as possible. Jules

I poly bushed my Range Rover Classic and it was awful - a very hard ride and far more road noise
I soon went back to the original bushes

There are various grades of hardness of polybush (often denoted by being different colours)- and even the softest ones are harder than standard rubber bushes. So there is often a "sweet spot " compromise between rock hard track suspension and an improved but compliant street setup. Best to ask a suspension tuning company or the forums for advice. Thats what I did for the Defender, TD5 and BMW ( the latter two were really good afterwards with negligible increase in road noise or NVH). The problem for the OP is that there is very little info on suspension modifications for the FL2.

So I would replace with "soft" polybushes first.

The other thing to remember is that the bushes also absorb shocks through the suspension. Polybushes, being less complaint. will transmit those shocks through to other parts of the suspension which may not be a good idea especially if off-roading is contemplated. Jules

Well here we are, 6 months down the line and I can say with authority, polybushes do not work well on the freely.

There is only one type or hardness available for the freely from Polybush, there is a marked increase in road noise, the suspension seems to move much quicker creating a booming sound and ride harshness on uneven roads, a bit like riding in an empty transit van, there is also a marked rear end sway when towing giving rise to some concern over safety. I have never had any concern towing in any kind of wind conditions in the freely until now but since I changed the bushes, the ride was disconcerting causing frequent steering input to maintain a straight line in all but the lightest of gentle breezes.

All in all, based on my experience, I would not suggest anyone change to Polybushes anytime soon.

Now where's that parts catalogue ..........  MY2014 SD4 XS
Ipanema Sand

MY10 TD4-e GS Manual
Lago Grey Now retired after 8 trouble free years

We all fall into the trap of thinking "the grass is greener" now and again.
Thanks for informing us about the poly bushes 👍

Hi flyfisher

No problem.

I tried polybushes as I have used them before on a discovery2 with excellent results, they are easy to fit and future replacements are even easier but the stability is what convinced me to revert to "normal" bushes.  MY2014 SD4 XS
Ipanema Sand

MY10 TD4-e GS Manual
Lago Grey Now retired after 8 trouble free years

One of the main reasons I chose to buy a FL2 was how well it soaked up the bumps and potholes in the ever worsening roads around where I live. I shall be using standard bushes when the time comes for them to be replaced.

Poly bushed the front arms on a v6 Calibra and it had no give in it.then it cracked on of the arms.calibra club at the time recommended seam welding the arms.therefore you need a bit movement somwhere.with the state of the roads I would keep it std.or the softer polly bush.

Yes the roads are definitely getting worse. Round our area the farmers vehicles (artics, tractors, trailers etc) are now so large that they cant help but run onto the verges of our narrow lanes; crushing the edges of the tarmac and forming deep grooves in the verges which fill with rain water and further undermine the road's substructure. And so the road slowly gets narrower and narrower and then other vehicles continue the destruction.
I cycle a lot and its a nightmare trying to stay to the edge of the road and also miss the pot holes etc. Jules

Hi folks, new member here - I fitted PolyBushes to my MK II Capri & it transformed the handling (though there were other suspension mods & recambering done too) - in fact it felt almost as good afterwards as my Minis used to! I guess it all depends on what you expect from a car at the end of the day.
Hi bobbyg by the way - I still have 3 Calibras (but none on the road just now) Just waiting for the elusive time to do something about it.........