Spring shackle bushings: Rubber or original?

I think, if you grease time to time, the shackle with brass or bronze bushings is the better variation.
 

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I think when I rehab my front end I’m going to make some oil-lite bushings for the shackles rather than use the steel ones. I wasn’t impressed with the quality when I replaced the rears in June. I haven’t heard of rubber spring shackle bushings for an A.
 
The ones with rubber bushings came in sets and didn't use the original spring shackles . The spring shackles with rubber bushings were mostly a cheap after market part . The rubber bushings were often used as a get by when the spring perches were worn past the bushing point .
 
I have encountered the rubber bushing type rear shackles several times while installing Mitchell overdrives. I believe they were from the J. C. Whitney era. The rubber was always found torn up. I would certainly never install them.

Tom Endy
 
Many vehicles use rubber. And yes they fall apart after 20 years(of road use). I would think they would need bigger holes or smaller pins or would be weak if they were as thin as the bushings. I put new stuff in my A out of the catalogs. If mine were to wear out I would try the rubber. I put rubber in my classic truck 10 years ago and they are still good. probably will need replacement in another 10 years. It was 30 years old when I got it and they were toast.
 
I'm with Tom. Spring shackle bushings are heavily loaded on transverse systems. Steel, bronze, or brass will likely withstand the elevated stress better than synthetic material. As Werner suggested, regular grease injection will extend bushing/shackle life dramatically.
 
I put moly filled Delrin bushings in mine 40 years ago and they are still good. You just have to grease them about once a year.
 
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