Fun with SPL solid aluminum subframe bushigns

[turtl631]

Well, this weekend i've been working on installing my subframe bushings. You don't need any really exotic tools, and if your car isn't rusty, it's probably a 1 day job with a friend. My car's rusty though, and I don't have friends...i mean, uh...well anyways, it took me most of one day to break all my multilink, driveshatt, and axle bolts free. Rust sucks. Today in the course of about 9 hours i dropped the subframe, took out the old bushings, and popped in the new ones. TO get the old ones out, just burn the rubber out with a propane torch as good as you can, then pry out whatever is loose. Cut through the metal inner sleeve with a hacksaw and then hit it with a screwdriver/hammer or some similar combo. It should buckle inward and pop right out. The 2 bushings closer to the front of the car have a couple extra metal sleeves, but they're still not too bad. Then, clean off the inside of the carrier with sandpaper or a metal brush or something, and put in the new bushings. To put in the bushings, take them out of the freezer and run a 5" by 3/4" bolt with washers through the bottom bushing, carrier, and then top bushing. Put a nut on the threads and use a huge socket to tighten it down while holding the hex head with a pipe wrench or something. When your socket bottoms out or the nut runs out of threads, take out the 5" bolt and put in a 4". Repeat as before and both bushings should be in there. Now, how do they feel? I wouldn't know...i still have to put my subframe back in and reattach everything. And my front bushings were totally dead, the rubber was destroyed. Sadly, the inner metal sleeve is securely bonded to the posts on the frame, so before I can put my s14 back together i have to break those free. In short, as long as you don't have much rust, subframe bushings aren't a bad install. THe worst part is probalby removing hte old bushings if they're in bad shape.

[Chingon]

hmm... i just dropped my subframe yesterday....maybe I should do this while at it?

[turtl631]

its up to you, but in my opinion its best to replace anything rubber if you have the opportunity and it will be difficult otherwise.

[Nismo_Freak]

hmm... i just dropped my subframe yesterday....maybe I should do this while at it?

I'd suggest it... save you alot of time later on.

We got them in stock if you wanna pick up a set.

Call me up tomorrow and I'll get a set out to you 1-866-SPL-PART

[Dano]

i installed my SPL subframe collars 2 weekends ago and they made a huge difference, highly reccomended!

-Dan

[turtl631]

WEll, the rusty posts have caused more problems than expected. Can you guys help? I don't want to double post, so http://nicoclub.com/zeropost?cmd=fshow&id=17This makes me mad, my car is stranded now until i can get those sleeves off and reassemble the car. Thanks for any tips!

[turtl631]

Well, I finished up my install today, and I also put in my B&M short shifter. Short shifter feels great, really short throws, and so much tighter than stock, and the bushings seem good too. Not much noisier than stock, although I do get some unpleasant noises when i hit big bumps now. They really allow me to feel the stock suspension working, which is somethign I never could feel before due to the giant rubber bushings. Makes me want some coilovers real bad

[Dano]

Makes me want some coilovers real bad

SPL/KTS

-Dan

[turtl631]

exactly...lol, actually thats in my sig

[skylndrftr]

Hey Nismo 2 quick questions,

the bushing spacers, what percentage of antisquat can they create?any plans to make them out of aluminum?

o and what alloy are the subframe bushins...im assuming 6061 or 7075?

[Nismo_Freak]

Hey Nismo 2 quick questions,

the bushing spacers, what percentage of antisquat can they create?any plans to make them out of aluminum?

o and what alloy are the subframe bushins...im assuming 6061 or 7075?

They change the subframe's geometry by 1.5 degs. but in terms of percentage I do not know.

Honestly the bushing's construction has little bearing on performance.