New Energy Bushings / Subframe Spacer Inserts / Cannot DRIVE

[Peabody]

HI,
I installed a complete Energy suspension bushing kit along with a complete rebuild of the suspension and KYB GR-2 Struts . After the kit was installed I noticed my subframe bushings were shot. Because of lack of money I had some Circuit Sports Aluminum Subframe Spacer Inserts installed.

I cannot drive the car now because of the STIFF ride. I am bouncing up and down and also have a ruptured disc and the pain after just riding for 15 minutes is terrible. Plus I live in New Orleans and the streets are a mess,

Will changing the subframe bushings the correct way (no Band-aid) correct this problem or is it also related to the Energy Bushings not made of rubber and that is also causing a stiffer ride.

THANKS FOR ANY COMMENTS and suggestions on good Subframe Bushings.

[biggie]

You shouldn't see that much of a difference. GR-2 is an "oem replacement" shock and the bushings shouldn't have stiffened it that much.

And the subframe bushings would not affect the bouncing ride much at all.

[Peabody]

Well it is not bouncy it it just FIRM and STIFF. The car is not bouncing my body is if that makes any sense.

The spacers came with this info
This solid aluminum subframe bushing kit fits all Nissan 240SX rear subframes. Increased stiffness over urethane, these precision CNC machined billet aluminum bushings eliminate subframe slop. Recommended for off-road or competition use only, as noise and vibrations from the rear end will increase. Rear axled hop is common on Subrame Independent Rear Suspension cars, and reducing subframe movement will aid in rear traction. Top spacers have cut outs so subframe removal is not necessary.

THANKS
Maybe it needs time to break in..

[OutToWinPAHC]

The aluminum bushing are not helping. I cant see it being shocks.... unless your using lowering springs now.

[Peabody]

I have the original springs.

So if I change the subframe bushings it might take out some of the stiff ride? It is so bad I cannot even have a conversation in the car from all the noise and rattles I never had before if I am on a really bad street going 10 MPH.

I am the original owner of my S13 and now it rides like a GO-Cart feeling every tiny bump. Not good when you have lower back pain and need surgery.

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP

[OutToWinPAHC]

Try some S14 seats too

[moso]

where bouts in new orleans, im in mid city. my es bushings have settled down a bit sense i have put them in, but your gonna have to drive the car to get the bushings to break in. I let a bit of air out of my tires to soften the ride while i broke in the bushing as i too have back issues. +1 for the s14 seats they are most comfortable.

[scooz14]

its the es master kit you had installed. all that polyurethane took all the give out of the factory suspension. you went from old , blown out soft bushings to extremely stiff, almost hard bushings. the best thing to do it put all new oem bushings in.

[codyace]

ES is no nicer nor worse than the aluminum ones...your only real option is new OEM (even nismo is a bit on the less hardcore side).

However it shoudln't make the car bouncy over stock...you'll certainly feel the drivetrain more, and it will be louder, but overall the ride really shouldn't be much 'worse' than it was.

[liquid_cool]

dont get me wrong on my post man...dont take this the wrong way...but your are driving a sports car...the suspention is supposed to be stiff, giving the car that feal to the road that sports cars are known for...if your back is that messed up....then for medical reasons and your own health...i suggest getting another dayly thats more comfortable and keep the 240 as your sunday car...messing with a back problem can couse permanant damage to your spinalcord....what ever you decide man...ill pray your back gets better ..but till then..you need a more sutible ride...god bless.

[Gabes13]

I believe the suspension arms are binding from the ES bushings.

[badbob2121]

s14 seats for the win, though my 240 is my weekend car, i have a herniated deteriating disc and some nerve damage, i know the pain with stiff suspension

s14 seats are really that comfortable... worth every penny

[Mister B]

I installed the total bushing kit on my s14 & I have the same problem stiff bouncy ride - just hate & pain on the streets of Johannesburg, if anyone can shed some light on whether pillow ball control arms, tension rods, traction rods would solve the problem, or have any experience with these & whether they provide ride comfort?

[scooz14]

I installed the total bushing kit on my s14 & I have the same problem stiff bouncy ride - just hate & pain on the streets of Johannesburg, if anyone can shed some light on whether pillow ball control arms, tension rods, traction rods would solve the problem, or have any experience with these & whether they provide ride comfort?

if you dont like the way the poly feels, you really wont like the way that the heim joints will feel. the poly still has a little give, the heims are solid. if you want it to ride like oem, you need to put oem rubber bushing back in. there is a treade off between comfort and handling. a good handling car will be very stiff and you will feel every bump. its hard to have it drive like a Lincoln but corner like a Porsche.

did you lube all the poly correctly?

[Mister B]

Yes lubed all of them, polyurethane i feel is just to harsh for street use. I'm thinking of biting the bullet & just replacing the rear control arms with nismo ones - they firmer but still rubber so should have a bit more give. Also the soild subframe bushings are not helping - theres just no give its painful. The bouncy ride makes the car undriveable on slightly uneven or bumpy roads. Trying to source a stock s15 subframe to replace. thanks for the response though.

[Mister B]

Well a few months later & I have managed to source a used set of front & rear control arms off an S15 in Japan. Arms are in good nick with bushes still stock & very good overall condition. Had it fitted replacing front & rear control arms & it has made a world of difference. No more bouncy uncomfortable ride, the ride is almost like stock. Still runnning solid subframe bushes & I'm really suprised what a diffence just the control arms have made. My previous ES bushes on control arms was just a nightmare:

S15 Arms same as S14