subframe bushing noise

[hondah8n]

i've heard that aluminum subframe bushings are noisy and clunky. true or false? i found some on ebay but is this the way not to go? what kind are you guys using. i have a s14. thanks

[Fenvy]

VERY VERY VERY noisy

[Axel Grungy]

yeah ive got aluminum spacers and its noisssy as hell.

[skydragoness]

Are we talking spacers (cheap ones) or aluminum bushings (race-spec and require removal of OE subframe bushings)?

If its the first one, they're not that terribly noisy, if your'e running a stock exhaust you can hear what your differential is doing and its a surprise at first but then you get used to it (its a lot of clunking/clicking). I put my catback back on now and I can't hear a thing..

[Bronze MFP]

if the subframe is clunking even with the spacers, you need new bushings, period. I just replaced my bushings that I was running with spacers, and my front 2 were in 2 pieces. It took a little knock from a rubber mallet to separate the inner mounting race from the rest of the bushing. So if your subframe is making noise now, spacers wont help.If your bushings are in good shape, spacers shouldnt add any clunk to the subframe as long as they are installed correctly.

[Bronze MFP]

if you want to talk about noise, get aluminum diff bushings

[skydragoness]

Hey, not everyone can drop their subframe to burn the old bushings out :P

[naed240sx]

if you want to talk about noise, get aluminum diff bushings

the s13 has no diff bushings, so with the subframe spacers or even bushings, it is very easy to hear

[Zion8561]

I just used the urethane inserts that came with my Energy suspension bushing kit. I am not sure how much more noise than stock. I am also unsure if it makes a real difference in performance since I changed them concurrently with coilovers.

I took about 15 Minutes to install these. <-- enough said

[95lstegman]

sorry to bring this back but i've been wondering if aluminum subframe bushings are right for me. i have an S13 (solid diff mounts) with full exhaust which isn't that bad, surprisingly (stock SR20DET). i also have a huge electric fan, which is also pretty loud, but both of those are much quieter from inside the car, where i spend most of my time when the engine is running. would the solid subframe mounts be even louder than the exhaust? i've had parts so loud that i've had to remove and go back to stock before. it's no fun, especially for all the work that is involved with this mod.

[McRussellPants]

Uhhh, I've got the solid aluminums and they are far from "noisy" nor do they clunk. I can hear a little diff whine but nothing that makes me question putting them on.

I'd say its less audible whine than a walbro with a stock exhaust.

A 2-Way diff will make them clunk like mad, but if your the type that gets bent out of shape about stuff like that then you shouldnt be buying a clutch type anyway.

[95lstegman]

Uhhh, I've got the solid aluminums and they are far from "noisy" nor do they clunk. I can hear a little diff whine but nothing that makes me question putting them on.

I'd say its less audible whine than a walbro with a stock exhaust.

wow. not nearly as bad as what others say. is this on an S13 or S14? mine is an S13, so it would be like having solid diff bushings as well on an S14. in any case, this is exactly what i wanted to hear. this is the option i really want to go with b/c i don't want to worry about them in the future, and once i get the rest of the suspension set up well, i want ZERO wheel hop.

hehe, next you're going to tell me that having all hiem-jointed suspension components and 10kg/mm sprung coilovers is moderately soft, even on crappy roads.

[McRussellPants]

Well, I kinda lied, they do clunk, on mine the only time that they do it is when turning on to fairly steep inclines or on a fairly quick 1-2 shift.

As far as the whine its not bad at all, I actually like it. Its not nearly as bad as people like to make it out to though.

About the 10kg/mm and Heim jointed everything... I have a few friends that have full SPL rear (with 8/6 springs though) and it doesnt bother me at all, even 4hr drives in a ****ty fixed back seat. But then there are the people with 8/6 springs and stone age rubber bushings and are like "ZOMG I drive 10 minutes and my Kindneys crack in half" so I do know its a matter of opinion and since I dont know how you are, I cant really suggest either way...

... But my setup is 235/40 on a 9J wheel, slightly preloaded 8/6 KTS on full soft, SPL tension rods, Nismo FLCA bushings and SPL Solid Subframe bushings and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[95lstegman]

i think i'll find myself getting some heim-jointed suspension parts, but not all. i don't need adjustable rear toe, for instance, but adjustable rear camber would be pretty nice. i think i'll start out by replacing the engine/trans mounts and the rear subframe bushings with SPL Al ones, then get an ES full kit and work from there. from what i'm told the ES kit makes the joints pretty darn stiff, so that should hold me off long enough to get some coilovers like KTS or Megan. heck anything <=$1000 other than K-Sport/D2's. i don't think i've ever heard of those being liked.