Installed SPL subframe spacers today..

[slipnfall]

Well actually they went on last night... I'm finally getting around to getting my suspension parts on, and figured I'd give some quick feedback on the fore mentioned spacers. There are plenty of install threads here, so there's no point in me re-hashing that. It did go easy, although I wonder if the original subframe rubber bushings are going to deteriate quicker now; with the rubber compressed it's obvious that they are dry-rotted, before you couldn't really tell. They just seem more 'exposed' than they were, smashed out around the lower spacer.

As far as ride goes, I must say they are certainly worth the money. I still have a lot of rear wheel hop, but I'm hoping new shocks and springs will cure that(within the next two weeks). I noticed that while there still is some hop, it's not as violent. The rear end is *definately* more solid: it feels like the rear axles are actually attached to the car, as opposed to just floating around back there.

Noise? Well, I must say that my diff(open) did whine a lot before. But I can *really* hear it now. I have a feeling it's audible from the outside as well, but this is the diff's fault more than the "bushings". Vibration is minimal, but when decell in say 2nd gear, my dash will rattle around 2k. When shifting there is a dulled 'thunk' in the rear: I'm assuming this is due to the spacers not fitting *exactly* within the original bushing, allowing it to move side to side a bit(or front/rear in this case).

Shifting is a lot crisper, and I noticed I have to be a little more precise on my pedal-work to keep it as smooth as it was. I'm sure this is just something I'll adapt to within the next few days.

Highway cruising is much more stable and I feel more confident at higher speeds(85+) than I did before(~75)...

Here's a pic just for the heck of it: BTW any comments/questions are welcome!

[elwesso]

I installed them on my Q and I love them.. They didnt really make things any louder/less smooth for me.. you can hear a little bit of diff noise but its hard to tell because of my exhaust.....

well worth the money, and an easy install to boot!!!! If only I had air tools!!!

[naed240sx]

Well actually they went on last night... I'm finally getting around to getting my suspension parts on, and figured I'd give some quick feedback on the fore mentioned spacers. There are plenty of install threads here, so there's no point in me re-hashing that. It did go easy, although I wonder if the original subframe rubber bushings are going to deteriate quicker now; with the rubber compressed it's obvious that they are dry-rotted, before you couldn't really tell. They just seem more 'exposed' than they were, smashed out around the lower spacer.

As far as ride goes, I must say they are certainly worth the money. I still have a lot of rear wheel hop, but I'm hoping new shocks and springs will cure that(within the next two weeks). I noticed that while there still is some hop, it's not as violent. The rear end is *definately* more solid: it feels like the rear axles are actually attached to the car, as opposed to just floating around back there.

Noise? Well, I must say that my diff(open) did whine a lot before. But I can *really* hear it now. I have a feeling it's audible from the outside as well, but this is the diff's fault more than the "bushings". Vibration is minimal, but when decell in say 2nd gear, my dash will rattle around 2k. When shifting there is a dulled 'thunk' in the rear: I'm assuming this is due to the spacers not fitting *exactly* within the original bushing, allowing it to move side to side a bit(or front/rear in this case).

Shifting is a lot crisper, and I noticed I have to be a little more precise on my pedal-work to keep it as smooth as it was. I'm sure this is just something I'll adapt to within the next few days.

Highway cruising is much more stable and I feel more confident at higher speeds(85+) than I did before(~75)...

Here's a pic just for the heck of it: BTW any comments/questions are welcome!

looks good man. Yeah when i was torquing the bolts back down, my bushings were moaning and squeaking and making all kind of horrible noises . They sorta bulged out around the spacers too. They probably wont really deteriorate, because there will be no real play in the subframe at all, so dont worry about it. As far as the diff whine, i love it. like downshifting to 2nd at 40mph to use engine braking. It sounds kickass. The clunk you are hearing when shifting is probably the driveshaft or the gearing in the differential. It is completely normal, and i love it too. I like being able to hear different parts of the car working .

[slipnfall]

Yeah they just accented the diff noise... it'll keep me reminded to be on the lookout for a new vlsd!

No air tools were neccessary, the 17mm bolts broke free with a tug on an 18" breaker bar. However, the nuts attaching the 3/4" wide bar to the main front bracket both stripped out: no worries because the 'bolt' end holds this bar to the bracket.

I saw that this bar has an elongated hole towards the front: any 240 owners know what order are the subframe bolts to be tightened to make proper use of this adjustment?

[slipnfall]

As far as the diff whine, i love it. like downshifting to 2nd at 40mph to use engine braking. It sounds kickass.

haha, yeah I agree to a certain extent. I must say though that some people would surely not like the noise/performance ratio here...it doesn't bother me though, I hope to a)get the diff replaced and b)have an exhaust to drown it out a bit! I think it is drawing attention, people thinking 'man something sounds worn out in that car'!

[slipnfall]

one more to boot:

[naed240sx]

yeah that last pic is exactly what my bushings looked like. Actually, mine might have been worse(i torqued em down like crazy). I recently replaced my diff with one of the r32 lsd's, and it didnt help much with the sound. I have exhaust on my car, and I think i would rather have a loud diff than exhaust. Mine is way too loud. make sure you get a resonator.

[slipnfall]

For what it's worth, the noise has *dramatically* been reduced, almost overnight. I guess they just needed some time to settle, but the diff whine is back to 'normal'. I have this "creeking" sound from my passenger side though, near the front bushing. This is where bracket bolt stripped out...This is the bar that connects from the frame rail(with a slotted hole), to the bushing lower bracket: this end has a welded 'bolt' on the end. I suppose I could either drill it out, and use a nut/bolt, or re-thread the bolt and use a smaller nut...actually now that I think about it, I'm not sure if it was the nut or bolt that stripped... maybe it'll be in my favor(and be the nut!)

I wasn't torquing hard at all on it either.... grrr....and I was worried the bolts going through to the frame were going to strip...