Rubber-Bonded-Metal Bushings

KOK designs and manufactures rubber-bonded-metal bushings for OEM customers, with a strong focus on two-wheel, powersports and steering applications where compact size, controlled stiffness, and long-term durability are required.

Our bushings are produced as load-bearing interface components, designed to manage vibration, movement, and mechanical stress while maintaining defined positional control under real operating conditions.

Application Context

KOK rubber-bonded-metal bushings are primarily used in applications where engines, chassis components, or suspension elements must be isolated without compromising structural integrity.

Typical applications include:

• Motorcycle engine mount and hanger bushings
• Motorcycle frame and chassis bushings
• Anti-roll bar bushings
• Automotive steering bushings

These environments require precise control of elastic behaviour, fatigue resistance, and bonding integrity, particularly under vibration, shock, and cyclic loading.

Bushing Construction & Interface Definition

KOK bushings are manufactured based on customer-provided drawings and specifications, with production centred on defined interface conditions, including:

• Inner and outer sleeve dimensions and materials
• Elastomer compound specification
• Bonding geometry and rubber thickness
• Required stiffness characteristics

The elastomer is chemically bonded to the metal sleeves, ensuring controlled deformation, repeatable behaviour, and resistance to debonding over service life.

Design for Manufacturability (DFM) Support

As part of the development process, KOK provides Design for Manufacturability (DFM) support, reviewing customer designs to identify and address:

• Manufacturability constraints
• Bonding feasibility
• Tolerance or geometry issues affecting production stability

Any proposed adjustments are made without altering the functional intent of the customer’s design, supporting efficient transition from development to series production.

Materials & Rubber-to-Metal Bonding Expertise

KOK manufactures rubber-bonded-metal bushings using elastomer compounds selected to meet application-specific mechanical and environmental requirements, including:

• Fatigue resistance under continuous vibration
• Stability across defined temperature ranges
• Compatibility with oils, fuels, and environmental exposure
• Controlled hardness and damping behaviour

Our core expertise in rubber-to-metal bonding ensures consistent adhesion, dimensional stability, and performance across high-volume production.

In-House Validation & Testing Capability

To support development and production readiness, KOK performs in-house testing and validation of rubber-bonded-metal bushings in accordance with customer requirements. This enables early verification of material behaviour, bonding performance, and durability characteristics prior to series production, reducing risk during launch and ramp-up phases.

Manufacturing Control & Volume Stability

KOK supports OE bushing applications through:

• In-house tooling development
• Controlled bonding and assembly processes
• Tight dimensional control of sleeves and bonded components
• Repeatable stiffness and load-deflection behaviour

Scope Note

Selected bushing designs may also be supplied in service and replacement contexts, particularly within two-wheel platforms. However, KOK’s primary focus for rubber-bonded-metal bushings remains OEM and high-volume production applications.