Nolathane also make a poly bush which has 8 holes. My current thought is to fit a pair of these and if too harsh then drill out the rear 4 holes larger similar to the void in the rubber bushes to allow more flexibility when the wheels are pulling forwards but leaving the other side untouched for braking.

I've ordered Whiteline W82977 which is a black version of Nolathane 48191 - both are 80 Duro.

These bushes are listed as fitting several BMW models including at least early X5s in their version of the arm. Meyle make a HD X5 rubber version 3003112104/HD (MCB0205HD) which also has the braking bump-stop although different to the LR version and a smaller void on the other side compared with the LR version. It looks to be a HD version of the LR bush. Meyle only list a standard version of the LR bush which looks identical to the LR version.

If the Whiteline poly bushes are found to be too harsh then next to try will be the Meyle HD BMW bushes, which I would have purchased instead of the Whiteline poly bushes had I found them earlier.

Good research Graeme and looking forward to hearing the results of your trials once arrived and fitted.

I think our use cases are different and, what I would be willing to accept primarily as a tarmac user, would be different with you needing to drive off tarmac more frequently.

I’ve no doubt that a non-rubber OEM solution will not be as compliant as rubber. However, I suspect most FFRR drivers would take a marginally increased NVH for more consistently direct steering and not needing to change both arms/bushes every 12-24 months. I can’t wait to get my rear wishbone and ARB bushes fitted so the whole trick is running on SuperPro but it will be a few more months at least before I get to that.

Let us know how you get on and please put some pictures up when you have them fitted! 👍 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!

I'll be fitting a pair of Meyle BMW HD MCB0205HD bushes instead of the poly bushes this time round as my last try of rubber bushes. Unfortunately I'll have to put up with the thumping on anything but smooth pavement and the wandering steering for a few more weeks yet.

The Meyle HD BMW X5 etc bushes have been fitted for a few weeks. An alignment check a few days ago revealed that my setting of the toe was +0.4mm so it wasn't changed.

The ride is harsher at times, particularly at slower speeds on bitumen where there must be ripples.
The increased harshness is probably about the same change again that occurred when I fitted GG AT3 255/60R19 whereby the ride was noticibly harsher than with worn-out 275/55R20 Pirelli AT+ even though the tyres have the same 113 load index.

A positive effect is that the vehicle no longer tram-lines in wheel-tracks that have hardened in the surface of my 4 km lane when it was wet. My L322 has always tran-lined in hardened tracks so I was quite surprised that it now doesn't.

I'll see how I feel about these bushes over the coming months. The removed Lemforder bushes aren't torn but the centre pins are now well back from the bump-stop so they aren't really suitable to be refitted.

I couldn't become accustomed to the harsher ride of the Meyle HD BMW bushes so back to the Lemforders.

Any updates on the superpro bushes? I am seriously considering doing them,so any update would be appreciated! Thanks!

Just a holding response (sorry to take so long) as still haven’t got round to completing the job after doing the front arms this time last year.

I have since bought front and rear ARBs from a salvage yard for my 2011MY and have stripped off the bonded rubber bushes. They are being blasted and powder coated and I hope to have them back in a few weeks. Once done, I can justify lowering the subframes front and rear to remove the old ARBs and replace with my new (to me) ones and get the Superpro ARB bushes fitted. One point to note, the Superpro website lists the wrong rear ARB bush and the SPF4431K does not fit! It is a 34mm bush and the rear ARB on the 2010-12 is only 26mm. I have since ordered a Powerflex rear ARB bush which is correct.

I also have new subframe bushes to fit so my plan is to spend a day doing the whole of the rear in one go: subframe, ARB, upper and lower wishbones, and toe arm.

I’m certain this will tighten up the ride significantly but obviously being a RR it will still wallow round corners and roll more than I would like but hey, it’s not a RR Sport! 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!

I’ve finally got all the rear SuperPro bushes fitted after TWO WEEKENDS of work. It was a PITA is all I’m going to say. Anyway, bushes replaced with SuperPro were:
- rear upper arm to subframe
- rear lower arm to subframe
- rear tie rod to subframe
- rear sway bar bushes (Powerflex as SP one wrong size)

Whilst in there, I also did rear knuckle bushes upper and lower and the sway bar tie rods - all FEBI.

I’ve still to get it tracked so no long journeys yet but on a test drive, first impressions are that I could barely tell the difference in NVH from the old rubbers. I admit that all the rubber that came off was very perished and no evidence of a previous change, so been on the car for 130k+ miles and 15 years and that will only skew the comparison between SuperPro and brand new rubber. However, to allay any fears it has not ruined the ride for me (noting this is a subjective opinion).

One downside is that the FEBI upper knuckles seem just out of tolerance so barely required any pressure to reinstall. They’ve since moved in the knuckle so not tenable. I think they’re just out of spec as ones that came out measured 45.1mm and the new ones were only 44.9 on the gauge.

I’ve got some MOOG replacements on order so will report back as hoping they’re closer to spec for interference fit. Failing that, I’ve got Loctite 648 on order to do the job. Either way I’ll get that sorted and then the fatty back on the road proper!

For those thinking of tackling this job, it’s definitely doable on the driveway with basic tools. Access for upper arm is a challenge and requires lowering subframe partially. The main issue I had was loosening seized bolts to get them out of the arms/bushes with no access for a hammer or drift to knock out. Also, bushes would not come out with my press kit, I had to use a friend’s proper press as required a lot of pressure to get them out. You could do it by drilling and cutting but that would take an age.

One other thing that slowed me down a bit was replacing all 4 corners with Aerosus shocks and springs as one of my front bags had blown back in May. I’d done the fronts a few weeks back and that was easy. The rears were also a simple job but gave me a better opportunity to gain access and have a go at the rear bushes.

Anyway, will report back on SuperPro bushes and new air springs and dampers once tracked properly and bedded in. 👍 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!

great stuff Andy, I await your feedback as I just replaced my front drop links last month with Lemforder ones, or as you call them ARB's ( Anti Roll Bars ) - I could not wait any longer - but am still not happy, still getting a bit of a clonk, definately not as bad as before ( since replacing the old ones that were 5 years old) but still a bit of a clonk all the same

So need to replace a lot more items to get to the bottom of this - hey ho and on it goes !

Ajmngn wrote:

I’ve finally got all the REAR SuperPro bushes fitted :
- rear upper arm to subframe
- rear lower arm to subframe
- rear tie rod to subframe

Anyway, will report back on SuperPro bushes and new air springs and dampers once tracked properly and bedded in. 👍

Hi Andy, what are the SuperPro part numbers for the rear please, about to order the same as you

SPF4495K and SPF4497K. Check out the order further up the thread or use the vehicle finder on the website which leads you to this page https://www.superproeurope.com/products.cfm?vehicleid=8022 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!

got it - thanks

FRONT






REAR




Last edited by pcourtney on 17th Jul 2025 8:32pm. Edited 1 time in total

I should have visited that SuperPro website a couple of months back, they are no longer the Superpro distributor and all L322 items are 50% off - sadly only 2 out of the 9 items left are in stock

https://www.superproeurope.com/products.cfm?vehicleid=8019

Control Arm Front Lower Bush Part SPF4494K now £60 quid
and
Wishbone Lower Bush Kit Part SPF4495K now £83 aka Rear Upper Control Arm