Why is friction or force bad?
• Any time you have friction or force from a bushing it will cause the suspension to react slowly, and that is not what you want. • How does this correlate to our 2 styles of bushings? a. Bonded rubber bushings require more force to deflect the elastic rubber materials from their static state. b. Spherical bearings with PTFE lining require the least amount of force because the spherical bearing has less surface area and the PTFE liner has a low coefficient of friction. Plus no extra force or friction is generated due to elimination of the high bearing misalignment design. This eliminates the performance-robbing characteristics of a rubber bushing. Definition for Bearing Misalignment: Rigid bushings and bearings are often designed to work on a single axis and as long as loads are applied along that axis, all is good. When loads are applied to a bushing or bearing off its axis, increased friction or binding will occur. This off axis loading will cause bearing misalignment.
