TC rod and bushing situation.

[graphikg04]

I have oem struts in the front, and tokiko shocks in rear, Surrounded by stupid sprint springs all around. Why my suspension is like this, LONG STORY. Well anyway, my oems are going under more load because of the lowering springs, and I just put in new TC rods and Urethane Bushings today in the front. So I wanted to know if my urethane bushings will go under some stress because of the lowering springs on the OEM strut, or does the rod not even apply in connection to the front struts. I am sorry if this seems confusing but, I hope it is clear enough. And by the way, the new bushings are great, Thanks pdm-racing.com. PEACE

graphikG- TWO1

[i2ice4m3]

I dont think the strut will affect the load taken by the bushing. The travel of the t/c rod remains the same regardless of what struts are used right? just my $.02...

[graphikg04]

You may be right. I hope you are right atleast. But for any of you who would like to see it, these are the bushings already in the car check it out. PEACE

graphikG- TWO1

[graphikg04]

the other side

[graphikg04]

Bushing close up

[i2ice4m3]

yeha i installed them on mine too. you cleaned your rods nicely though :P

[graphikg04]

Actually I got them from Pdm-racing.com with the bushings already pressed in the rods. So they are new rods. But what do you think of them? They are great, they make a lot of difference in response, and they are good at maintaining the tire's contact patch around turns. PEACE

graphikg- TWO1

[i2ice4m3]

i like em. Definitely better response than my old worn units. i think they're worth every penny.

[ricebike]

sorry to revive this thread, but...

did you guys replace the nuts to the tension rod when reassembling? according to the FSM, there's a X symbol next to the torque specs of 65-80 ft-lbs>>> "always replace after disassembly." YEA RIGHT!

OK, did you use loctite, antiseize, or just retorque the dry nuts to specs?

I just received a used set w/ decent bushings from a '91 to replace my shot ones (i'll plan to install poly bushings in the next summer or when these newer units ooze out)

[graphikg04]

Well, I just took out the bolts, put the new bushings and rods in, and then retightened them. I just used an air gun, and I didnt even pay attention to torque specs. I know I know, thats bad, but I have been driving my car and it's perfectly fine. Just put the bolts back in dry with the new bushings and then toque them to 76 and you will be coo. PEACE

graphikG

[Nismo_Freak]

I ran like that for a while... there's nothing wrong with it. The urethane is very resiliant.

[ricebike]

ah, finished installin' the newer 91 TC rods w/ original goo-filled bushings... those nuts look like a softer metal alloy than the sturdy bolts it was on...

I actually rounded the corners on 1 of them & used my lil bro's metwrench socket set to grab the sides of the nut/instead of the corners<to the LCA>

Oops, I did put anti-seize on the threads & torque to ~73 ft/lbs so I can take them off in the future.

gonna go test drive it now to see how they feel.

yup, i'll buy the urethane ones in the spring; thanx guys!

[Hijacker]

the big thing to remember is that the TC rod only takes on loads during cornering. they're used to help with turn in and keep the wheels from deflecting back with the road surface. so using them with lowering springs will not hurt them, but you will feel more road feedback. i have NISMO rubber on my car with blown front struts (which will be getting replaced with KYB's very soon) and they're holding up fine.

[i2ice4m3]

do any of you get squeaking from the bushings? ever since i put the polyurethane t/c rod bushings on i hear squeaking from the front whenever i got up a curb or something

[ricebike]

<shrugs> well, i found out that 1 of the swaybar endlink bushings(pass side) was damaged from a NYC pothole... the bushing n washer pushed past the nut.

I've hammered it back down n used bailing wire/tape/wireties to hold it down to the LCA n no more clunk on turns... hope it holds until spring...

[p00t]

do any of you get squeaking from the bushings? ever since i put the polyurethane t/c rod bushings on i hear squeaking from the front whenever i got up a curb or something

thats why they come with a baggie of lubricant. if you dont cover every rubber part that contacts metal, it will rub and squeak.

[racin-type]

damn nyc potholes. we should all collect and sue lol

how'd you guys get the old leaking bushings out and put in the new urethane ones? are there special tools i need to do that? and do you think its neccessary to get the whole TC rod with the bushing or just get the bushings with my old TC rod? do the rods bend or loose its strength the older it gets? thanks in advance gotta do mines soon oozing like a ***** down there ... um that didn't sound right lol

[p00t]

they are a 15 lb solid hunk of metal so no it should NEVER wear, unless you take the car offroading. I paid a machine shop 20 bucks to press them out, 1 came out easy but the 2nd they had to freeze to harden the rubber then battle with it for 30 min. 20 bucks well spent :pface. Some people hack them out or burn them out. If you have no hacking skills or a machine shop nearby your only option is to get the bushing and rod together, but you are wasting money.

[Holisticbeatz]

Hey Grinil, I have some Eibach Sportlines if you're interested. You have my number, drop me a line if you want them.

-kenny

[i2ice4m3]

thats why they come with a baggie of lubricant. if you dont cover every rubber part that contacts metal, it will rub and squeak.

argh...i used the lubricant..but when i pressed the bushings in myself some of the lubricant was wiped off on some parts. I guess i screwed myself. Anyway, cut em out! it's fun and not that hard once you know what to do. I pressed the new ones in with the chassis of my car and a car jack.

[ricebike]

yup, i'm gonna do iceman's trick to pressing the poly bushings into my spare set of TC rods... so no down time for me! it seems nismo bushings have the outer metal casing like the oem ones, which will be a shop job...