Replacement Suspension Arm Bushes with Fitting Position Front and Rear, Rear Axle for HSV MANTA VS WAGON

Nolathane replacement suspension arm bushes renew the inner pivots of Nolathane complete upper control arms and upper trailing arms on the VS WAGON MANTA. When the arm is still straight and sound but the pivots have started to knock or let the wheel shift, a set of replacement bushes and tubes brings it back to new-arm precision for a fraction of the cost of a new assembly.

These sets suit front upper control arms fitted to IFS 4WDs and utes, and rear upper trailing arms on applicable performance and classic vehicles. Each set is matched to a specific Nolathane arm part number, so the bushes fit the housing exactly and the original arm hardware can be reused.

How Upper Control Arm Bushes Work

The upper control arm on a double wishbone front suspension pivots on two inner bushes mounted to the chassis or subframe. As the wheel rises and falls, the arm swings on those bushes while they hold it firmly against braking and cornering loads. Because the upper arm sets camber and caster, any slack at its pivots shows up directly as wandering steering and changing alignment.

A rear upper trailing arm does a similar job at the back of a live-axle vehicle. It locates the axle fore and aft and helps control axle wind-up under acceleration and braking, so worn trailing arm bushes are felt as rear-end shuffle, axle tramp and vague handling.

Inside a Replacement Bush Set

Each set includes polyurethane shell bushings and the matching inner tubes. A shell bushing is made in two halves that slide into the arm?s housing from each side, with flanges that locate the bush against the housing faces. The inner tube runs through the centre and is clamped by the pivot bolt.

This design is what makes the arm serviceable. Instead of a bonded bush that has to be pressed out and pressed in under high force, shell bushes fit with minimal crush. The tube is greased so the arm pivots smoothly on it, rather than twisting the bush material as a bonded rubber bush does. Each listing shows the set?s contents and the Nolathane arm it suits.

Signs the VS WAGON MANTA Pivot Bushes Need Replacing

• A clunk or knock from the front or rear over bumps, ruts or driveways
• Steering that feels vague or slow to respond on lifted IFS 4WDs and utes
• Camber or caster changing between alignments, or an alignment that won?t hold
• Inner or outer tyre wear on the front tyres
• Rear-end shuffle, axle tramp or a loose feeling under hard acceleration on trailing arm applications
• Visible play at the inner pivot when the arm is levered with the wheels on the ground
• Flattened, split or extruded bush material at the housing

Off-road use, towing, corrugations and long touring distances all shorten bush life, so vehicles used this way benefit from inspecting the pivots at every service.

Why Polyurethane Pivot Bushes

Nolathane has been making polyurethane suspension bushings since 1974, originally developed to replace brass bushes in hillclimb competition. Polyurethane suits suspension arm pivots because it offers:

• Outstanding abrasion resistance, so the bush keeps its shape through repeated pivoting
• High load-bearing capability for heavy 4WDs, utes and towing vehicles
• Increased tensile strength and memory, holding the arm in position under braking and cornering
• Resistance to oil, grease, ozone and weathering, which break down rubber
• Durometer selection, with hardness grades chosen to suit each position

The trade-off is that polyurethane transmits slightly more road feel than soft factory rubber. Drivers usually describe it as firmer, more direct steering rather than harshness.

Matching the Bushes to Your VS WAGON MANTA Arm

Replacement bush sets are made for specific Nolathane complete arms. Before ordering:

• Confirm the arm on the vehicle is a Nolathane complete arm and note its part number
• Check that the set?s listing names that arm part number
• Count the arms being serviced, as front upper control arms are usually serviced as a left and right pair
• Inspect the arm itself, as bent arms, cracked housings or a worn ball joint call for a complete arm rather than new bushes

Our fitment guarantee means the set you order for your VS WAGON MANTA is confirmed to suit it.

Replacing Shell Bushings on Your VS WAGON MANTA

Bush replacement suits professional workshops and experienced home mechanics. As a general guide:

1. Support the vehicle safely on stands and remove the wheel.
2. Remove the arm, supporting the suspension as needed.
3. Push out the old tubes and remove both halves of each shell bushing.
4. Clean the housings and check them for wear, corrosion or ovality.
5. Apply a polyurethane-compatible grease to the bush bores and tubes.
6. Fit both halves of each new shell bushing into its housing, then slide in the inner tube.
7. Refit the arm with the original hardware and tighten the pivot bolts to specification with the vehicle at ride height.
8. Have a wheel alignment (tracking) carried out.

Use only silicone or PTFE-based greases on polyurethane, as ordinary lithium and petroleum greases can degrade it over time.

Cost of Replacing Arm Bushes

Most of the cost of replacing upper control arm bushes or trailing arm bushes is labour: removing the arm, renewing the pivots, refitting and aligning. Shell bushes save time compared with pressed bushes, and reusing the arm and hardware keeps parts cost low. Doing both sides together, or combining the job with other suspension work, avoids paying for the same teardown and alignment twice.

Keeping Pivot Bushes in Good Condition

• Keep the wheel alignment in specification so the arms aren?t working against each other
• Hose mud and grit from the pivots after off-road driving
• Repair any oil or fluid leaks above the suspension promptly
• Inspect pivots and re-check bolt torque at regular service intervals

Lifetime Warranty

Nolathane replacement suspension arm bushes are backed by a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship, for the original vehicle they?re fitted to.

Shop Replacement Suspension Arm Bushes for Your VS WAGON MANTA

Bushes, pins and hardware to rebuild a worn arm are all part of Nolathane's suspension arm service kits range.

Find the bush set that matches the Nolathane arm on your VS WAGON MANTA, then order online with fast shipping or have it fitted by a Nolathane reseller. 60-day returns give you time if a part isn?t right, and our local support team can help confirm the correct set whether you?re repairing worn pivots, servicing a touring 4WD or refreshing a performance car.