Energy Suspension subframe/differential bushings review

[Philipio]

There's not a lot of information out there on these bushings and I know some people are curious.

I bought the urethane subframe and differential bushings to replace my stock, 15 year old, rubber bushings. My S14 is mainly a street car with occasional road course duty. I knew I didn't want metal bushings because of how harsh they would have been. After getting my urethanes installed, I know without a doubt I wouldn't want metal. These are a great middle ground.

I drive spirited often. My rear used to be very unstable over bumps, very unpredictable. It felt like I was going to lose control of the rear any time I hit a substantial bump, like it had a mind of its own. Any time I would take a hard corner, the rear would feel like it was still trying to turn after I had straightened the car out. I installed these bushings and Energy Suspension urethane differential bushings at the same time. My car has literally never felt better. My rear end is very planted and predictable over bumps now. No longer does it feel uncontrollable in certain situations.

The only downside is the noise and vibration. Being urethane, the subframe bushings creak and pop constantly, any time the rear flexes at all. My S14 isn't my daily so it's not a huge deal to me, it was expected. The noise is actually kind of nice when I'm driving for performance reasons, I love the feedback, knowing when the rear is flexing. The differential bushings also create plenty of noise. Every shift is met by a very distinct clunk from the differential. The car gets some vibration from around 2K to 3K RPM also.

Honestly, I don't really mind any of it. The car feels amazing and gives me loads of feedback. I made an amazing purchase. I highly recommend these instead of cheaping out and buying bushing collars like so many 240 owners do. Those are just band-aids.

Any questions, feel free to ask!

Parts I purchased:

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/pr ... rod=7.1117 (black)
http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/pr ... rod=7.1118 (black)

Be sure to go through Pro Tuning Performance for even cheaper prices than that website. Be sure to tell them I sent you. They did my install as well and did a flawless job. I've known these guys for a while, I've spent a lot of money with them, and I will literally never go to another shop if I can help it.

Pro-Tuning Performance
3333 Suffolk Drive Suite 202
Fort Worth, TX 76133
817.926.8863

[badbob2121]

the links werent working... ive heard other reviews that the urethane subframe bushings almost make the subframe not very street friendly... and people hated driving the car on the street then on...

[confused9]

you just have to drive carefully and be mindful of bumps/ bad roads

[confused9]

you and i both know that camp pendleton roads are pretty bad lol

[badbob2121]

you and i both know that camp pendleton roads are pretty bad lol

they are terrible, they spend 8,xxx,xxx on a new front gate...but have 3" potholes every 1/2m....

[confused9]

i know!!! hahaha. (sorry for the thread jack) badbob i seriously need to hang out with people who are into 240s all my friends/ coworkers have hondas and trucks

[Philipio]

the links werent working... ive heard other reviews that the urethane subframe bushings almost make the subframe not very street friendly... and people hated driving the car on the street then on...

Links work now. It's certainly stiffer and causes a bit of vibration but the car feels smoother and handles better overall. I don't mind driving on the street whatsoever. It got rid of all my rear end bounce when hitting bumps.

Every single suspension arm on my car also has spherical bushings, other than the LCAs.