Suspension bushes
These are the
rubber grommets which separate most of the parts of your suspension from
each other. They're used at the link of an A-Arm with the subframe.
They're used on anti-roll bar links and mountings. They're used all over
the place, and from the factory, you can almost guarantee they're made of
rubber. Rubber doesn't last. It perishes in the cold and splits in the
heat. Perished, split rubber was what brought the Challenger space shuttle
down. This is one of those little parts which hardly anyone pays any
attention to, but it's vitally important for your car's handling, as well
as your own safety, that these little things are in good condition. The advice? Replace them with polyurethane or polygraphite bushes - they are
hard-wearing and last a heck of a lot longer. And, if you're into
presenting your car at shows, they look better than the naff little black
rubber jobs.
Like all suspension-related items though, bushes are a
tradeoff between performance and comfort. The harder the bush compound,
the less comfort in the cabin. You pays your money and makes your choice.