What is a flexible bush?
The Hutchinson Paulstra flexible bush replaces a mechanical joint for oscillating or pivoting movements with limited amplitude. It consists of an elastomer ring pre-compressed between two concentric cylindrical metal sleeves.
The deformation of the rubber helps eliminate mechanical play, reduce noise and vibration, and avoid periodic lubrication.
What are its advantages and the main types?
- No lubrication required: movement is provided by deformation of the elastomer.
- No mechanical play: reduced friction, noise and vibration.
- Several types of loading: radial, axial, torsional or conical.
- Flexibloc: elastomer bonded between the two tubes, series 560 / 561.
- Silentbloc: press-fitted elastomer ring, series 861 / 862 / 864.
- BL: flexible bush fitted with a lateral stop.
![Types of flexible bushes]()
What applications are flexible bushes suitable for?
Flexible bushes are suitable for mechanisms involving reciprocating, oscillating or pivoting movements, particularly in mobile equipment, engines and industrial machinery.
How does a flexible bush work?
The choice mainly depends on the type of load applied:
Radial load
The load causes an elastic offset of the inner tube.
![Radial load]()
Torsion
Torque applied around the axis causes angular deformation.
![Torsion]()
Axial load
The axial load causes displacement through shear deformation of the elastomer.
![Axial load]()
Conical movement
Torque perpendicular to the axis causes conical deformation.
![Conical movement]()
Flexible bush dimensions
d: inside diameter | D: outside diameter | L: inner tube length | l: outer tube length. All dimensions are in mm.
![Flexible bush dimensions]()
| Reference |
d |
D |
L |
l |
| 561101 BL |
6 |
16 |
14 |
12 |
| 861601 |
6 |
16 |
14 |
12 |
| 561102 |
8 |
16 |
17 |
15 |
| 861603 |
8 |
20 |
17 |
15 |
| 861783 |
8 |
20 |
19 |
15 |
| 561418 |
8 |
32 |
23.2 |
18 |
| 561205 |
10 |
22 |
17 |
15 |
| 861112 |
10 |
22 |
23 |
20 |
| 561207 |
10 |
22 |
30 |
25 |
| 861114 |
10 |
22 |
33 |
30 |
| 861607 |
10 |
22 |
34 |
30 |
| 561613 |
10 |
27 |
22 |
17 |
| 561424 BL |
10 |
28 |
27 |
20 |
| 861118 |
12 |
25 |
23 |
20 |
| 561212 |
12 |
25 |
28 |
25 |
| 561213 |
12 |
25 |
34 |
30 |
| 864105 BL |
12 |
25 |
38 |
35 |
| 861197 |
12 |
25 |
44 |
35 |
| 561250 |
12 |
25 |
54 |
50 |
| 861611 |
12 |
26 |
24 |
20 |
| 861613 |
12 |
26 |
34 |
32 |
| 561302 |
12 |
30 |
30 |
24 |
| 561395 BL |
12 |
30 |
42 |
36 |
| 561122 |
12 |
53 |
46.5 |
34 |
| 561227 |
14 |
27 |
28 |
25 |
| 861128 |
14 |
27 |
28 |
25 |
| 561269 BL |
14 |
27 |
45 |
40 |
| 861132 |
14 |
27 |
49 |
45 |
| 864109 BL |
14 |
27 |
54 |
50 |
| 561458 |
14 |
28 |
44 |
40 |
| 561617 BL |
14 |
28 |
54 |
50 |
| 561303 |
14 |
30 |
28 |
25 |
| 861618 |
14 |
30 |
28 |
25 |
| 861619 |
14 |
30 |
30 |
25 |
| 561305 |
14 |
30 |
42 |
38 |
| 861620 |
14 |
30 |
42 |
38 |
| 561307 |
14 |
32 |
33 |
30 |
| 864403 BL |
14 |
32 |
54 |
46 |
| 561309 |
14 |
32 |
70 |
65 |
| 561312 |
16 |
32 |
28 |
25 |
| 861141 |
16 |
32 |
32 |
28 |
| 861143 BL |
16 |
32 |
54 |
50 |
| 864108 |
16 |
32 |
54 |
50 |
| 861145 |
16 |
32 |
59 |
55 |
| 861146 |
16 |
32 |
66 |
60 |
| 861624 |
16 |
36 |
38 |
35 |
| 861810 |
16 |
40 |
40 |
32 |
| 561520 |
16 |
52 |
48 |
40 |
| 861151 |
18 |
34 |
33 |
30 |
| 861152 |
18 |
34 |
36 |
32 |
| 861153 |
18 |
34 |
66 |
60 |
| 861154 |
18 |
34 |
71 |
65 |
| 861156 |
18 |
36 |
46 |
40 |
| 861627 |
18 |
42 |
38 |
35 |
| 561384 |
20 |
38 |
42 |
38 |
| 561335 |
20 |
38 |
59 |
55 |
| 861160 |
20 |
38 |
59 |
55 |
| 861162 |
20 |
38 |
76 |
70 |
| 861163 |
20 |
38 |
81 |
75 |
| 561404 |
20 |
42 |
42 |
38 |
| 861166 |
22 |
40 |
45 |
40 |
| 861170 |
24 |
42 |
55 |
50 |
| 561411 |
24 |
48 |
44 |
40 |
| 561400 |
24 |
48 |
58 |
50 |
| 861818 |
24 |
58 |
58 |
48 |
| 861173 |
28 |
48 |
36 |
34 |
| 861174 |
28 |
48 |
55 |
50 |
| 561409 |
28 |
48 |
66 |
60 |
| 861175 |
28 |
48 |
66 |
60 |
| 861637 |
28 |
52 |
108 |
100 |
| 561601 |
28 |
66 |
66 |
56 |
| 861178 |
30 |
50 |
128 |
120 |
| 561503 |
32 |
52 |
66 |
60 |
| 861180 |
32 |
52 |
66 |
60 |
| 861639 |
32 |
56 |
116 |
108 |
| 861184 |
38 |
64 |
135 |
125 |
| 862601 |
42 |
78 |
66 |
60 |
| 862101 |
42 |
78 |
86 |
80 |
BL: flexible bush with lateral stop.
Important: dimensions alone are not sufficient. Also check the permissible loads, deflections and angles in the technical data sheet.
How to choose your flexible bush?
The choice depends on the dimensions, radial or axial loads, torsional or conical angles and, under dynamic operating conditions, the frequency of the loads.
Most standard models are made from natural rubber. Above 70°C, or in the presence of oils, fuels, acids, alkalis, ozone or chlorine, please contact us to check the compatibility of the elastomer compound.
View the technical data sheet: loads, deflections and references
Need advice?
Our technical team can help you select the right reference. Discover also the Hutchinson Paulstra range.
Have a project? Contact us!