Body Mount

What Are Body Mount Bushings?

Body mounts are the critical connection points between a vehicle's body and its frame, and they rely on bushings to do the heavy lifting. Body mount bushings sit between the metal of the body and the frame, cushioning road vibrations, absorbing shock, and preventing metal-on-metal contact as the two structures flex independently during driving. On body-on-frame trucks, SUVs, and classic cars, these components work quietly in the background — until they don't.

Factory body mounts are made from rubber, which does an adequate job of dampening noise and vibration when new. Over time, however, rubber degrades from exposure to heat, UV rays, road grime, and engine fluids. When original bushings become loose or crushed, that connection can become unstable, producing body sag or allowing excessive body roll. The symptoms of worn body mount bushings range from obvious to insidious: uneven door gaps, doors or hoods that won't latch correctly, window seals that leak and eventually allow rust to form, and an increase in interior creaks, rattles, and road noise.

Rubber vs. Polyurethane Body Mounts

When it's time to replace your body mounts, you'll face a choice between two materials. Stock-style rubber bushings restore the soft, compliant OEM feel but remain vulnerable to the same degradation that wore out your originals. Polyurethane bushings, by contrast, are significantly more resistant to road grime, UV exposure, and chemical contamination. Polyurethane does not deflect to the same extent as rubber, which helps maintain tighter body-to-frame alignment through hard driving or heavy loads — a meaningful advantage for trucks, 4x4s, and performance builds. The trade-off is a modest increase in felt vibration, as the firmer material transmits slightly more road feedback into the cabin. For daily drivers and restorations, polyurethane represents a compelling long-term upgrade; most quality polyurethane body mount kits are backed by a lifetime warranty.

Some complete kits include all the hardware needed — bushings, washers, and inner sleeves — while others cover only the bushing elements. Always confirm what's included before purchasing, and verify fitment carefully by year, make, and model, as body mount configurations can vary even within the same model line.

Top Body Mount Brands

Energy Suspension is the dominant name in this category, and for good reason. Their proprietary Hyper-Flex™ polyurethane formulation is engineered to be soft enough for a smooth daily-driver ride while remaining tough enough for demanding road and track applications. Many Energy Suspension body mount sets feature zinc-plated steel rings molded directly into the bushing for additional structural integrity, and their kits cover an exceptionally broad range of domestic trucks, SUVs, and cars.

Prothane is another polyurethane specialist with deep roots in suspension performance. Founded by car racers and enthusiasts, Prothane has been manufacturing USA-made urethane parts since 1991 and backs every body mount kit with a lifetime warranty. Their special formula polyurethane balances ride compliance with the long-term durability that rubber simply can't match, and their catalog spans American muscle, import, and light-truck applications.

Whiteline Suspension brings an engineering-focused perspective to body mounts, drawing on decades of suspension development for performance and motorsport applications. Whiteline's polyurethane components are precision-engineered to tight tolerances, making them a respected choice for enthusiasts who want a suspension-grade approach to body mount replacement.

Key Shopping Considerations

• Vehicle fitment: Always match by year, make, and model — body mount geometry varies even within a generation of the same platform.
• Material choice: Rubber for a stock-comfort feel; polyurethane for improved durability and tighter body-to-frame alignment.
• Kit completeness: Some kits include sleeves and hardware; others are bushing-only. Check what your application requires.
• Installation method: Replacing body mounts requires separating the body from the frame, either partially or fully. Plan accordingly and have penetrating oil on hand for corroded hardware.