subframe bushings

[EstoMax]

Hi Guys,

I just pulled my subframe to install my energy suspension poly bushings. So i emptied out my toe link and tried to see how the bushing would fit in there, and i dont see any way that it would. the inner diameter of the toe link hole is 27.5mm and the bushing is 30.5mm... is there a 3mm compression? i dont think so...



has anyone installed these bushings on their car?cheersMarko

[rico05]

#1: There is a steel collar still in there that surrounds the stock busing.#2: Good luck getting the busing in there w/o a serious press. I used a 10,000lb hydraulic press to do mine, and it was still a total pain in the a$$.

[EstoMax]

ahhh.. im an idiot. thanks!

got the collar removed, after that i just lubed it up real good and used a vice and pliers to guide the bushing in. Didn't seem to be a problem? What a damn messy job though.

time to do the rest.Marko

[EstoMax]

btw, did you just use a metal saw to saw through the collars and then hammer an edge loose? or is there a simpler way to do this?

Marko

[tramp_drift240]

wait, so this is you swapping the bushings in the toe link?

why not get adjustable toe arms.

and whyd you drop the subframe to do that link?

and are you doing the subframe bushings?

if so, take pictures, explain thoroughly, because im ordering subframe pineapples here soon.

[EstoMax]

The main reason i dropped the subframe is cause i stripped one of the differential bolts and i wanted to get my HLSD in. But also my bushings are shot (at least in the A-arms - clunking) and I wanted to replace the bushings, so i'm gonna replace them all. I don't care for adjustable arms at the moment, I'm pretty happy with RUCA's, sways and subframe collars back there. If I someday get coilovers i'll probably go that route.

I am not replacing the subframe bushings though, this is still a DD. If you want to search there are several threads of people documenthing this - shortly, once you have the subframe out you burn out the old bushings, clean it up, and punch in the pineapple slices.

Marko

[tramp_drift240]

so id have to use a press right? or like. a vise or a hammer or something. hahaha

[EstoMax]

i was able to replace all my subframe bushings this weekend (except the 4 big ones)

what you do is burn out the rubber (until you can pull the metal out with a plier), then either clean up some rubber on one side so you can see the metal insert or just use a metal saw to cut through the rubber and the insert together, you may knick the metal below a bit but i think its no big deal.

Once you have the steel insert cut through use a screwdriver and hammer it between the insert and the collar of the rod or piece you are working. Once you bend the steel collar up on one side you can grab pliers and pull the insert out. After this use some sandpaper to clean up the inside of the bushing hole and lube it up with bushing grease.

Next, prepare the proper bushing with grease and put it in a vice. Then start squeezing it in and you will see it will not want to go, use some wide-bite pliers to squeeze the end of the bushing and it will eventually slide in there and blammo.

Once the bushing is in grease the inside of it and grease a metal insert and jam it in there. Voila. i have pics i can do a more proper writeup later... too tired now. It is damn hard work.

tramp - go search on the pineapple install, i think you can just hammer them in there but dont take my word on it.

cheersMarko

[87nissanKC]

I'm actually going to be doing this real soon and also changing out the Subframe bushings to SPL aluminum ones. Thanks for the write up!

Also to install the subframe bushings its best to put them in the freezer.

[brizanden]

^be ready to have ur teeth rattled out lmao.go polyurathane ones. aluminum is so harsh i rode in a s13 with aluminum bushings and it sucked i would never want that on a car i drive alot.

[EVbot d.e.t.]

^be ready to have ur teeth rattled out lmao.go polyurathane ones. aluminum is so harsh i rode in a s13 with aluminum bushings and it sucked i would never want that on a car i drive alot.

Yeah, I've got the SPL Al bushings in my s13 and a 2 way. Worst combo ever... if it was a daily driver. However I don't DD mine so I love it. With coilovers it's retarded how responsive it is.

Does anyone make full replacement urethane subframe bushings? I searched a while ago and couldn't find them. I'd really like them though for the s14 I'm building.

[brizanden]

im pretty sure energy suspension does.

[mott6904]

If i remember right, from when i did mine, you need to leave the metal sleeve in some of the arms, so double check that first. I had a big shop press but i found it easier to use a vice and press it in because you can take the arm and wiggle it a little to get the bushing to pop in. I installed the energy suspension master kit which replaces all of the bushings and it made a world of difference. I can take corners crazy fast and there is no roll or anything. By far the best supension mod i have done.

[EstoMax]

hm... i definately did not leave the metal sleeves in anywhere

where did you find out that was necessary? Mine seem fine without the sleeves. Maybe S14 and S13 are setup differently for this?

Marko

[mott6904]

I have done so many different bushings at the shop i work at and i thought on mine it told me to leave the sleeve in on a set of arms but it could have been a different car. I was just saying to read the instructions and make sure you cut out all the metal sleeves.

[EstoMax]

cool, i read the instructions.. as much as a guy can didnt see that anywhere.

btw did your car lower 1/4 to 1/2 inch after the bushings? mine dropped about that much.. rear is has 0 finger gap now instead of 1 finger gap :o

Marko

heres the instructions if anyone cares btw:http://www.energysuspension.co...1.PDF

[mott6904]

I dont know i switched my kyb to tein when i did the bushings.

[Hid-hq]

Lol,when I did mine, i left for 15 mins to get some food and a bag of weed(jk) and my buddy that was helping found the same issue,,,,upon closer inspection, there was a steel colar,inhibiting the insertion of the bushing.....Grabbed a huge drill bit and drilled it out....

Iirc correctly on another bushing install(poly s14) i had to make a small slice in the center of the bushings....I then installed them in two pieces shaped like ( on the left and , on the right ).....

Never had any issues....Checked about a thousand times because I have ocd...