Alright, so i got her up on the rack and now that i printed out the procedure for changing the rear bushings, omg, i wish my stock bushings were fine. First the wheels, calipers, and rotors have to come off. Then the exhaust from the cat back. Then the rear suspension. Then the CV's. Then the whole rear subframe. I only bought new hardware for the control arms, i didnt expect to have to drop the whole damn subframe... Any thoughts on this? Anyone else go polyurethane all the way around? If so, did you drop the rear subframe?

 

Well, dropping the subframe isn't a problem.........its the other 12 drivetrain bits that make it a PITA!

But yes, the subframe will have to come down since in order to install the cam bolts properly you need it dropped down to feed them in and have clearance under the rocker panels.

 

thats true. I also change the subframe mount bushings to a solid one that I brought from montgomery racing.

 

I'll be grabbing a set for my car while its torn apart. I already have both subframes out, and I'm going to coilovers, so it won't be too much more work.

I probably wouldn't waste the time installing them until I was already doing something big. Its just too much work for the gain IMHO.

 

i heard they create alot more noise and vibration?

 

I bought the master kit too, looked at all the bushing that came in it. My mechanic ended up doin' it for me!! thank god cause I knew it was gonna be a pain. I had him redo my suspension at the same time. Total hours paid was 5 hrs.

Chris

 

Lube the bushings up, otherwise you will get some sqeaking. I used the grease that came with the bushings but that little amount doesn't go far.

 

Ive seen a few kits that come packaged with each set of bushings in individual bags, with their own lube. Then I've seen ones that have everything in one bag, with one "makeup" container or squeeze tube of lube.

I think Energy Suspension must've changed they're packaging and quantities because the old "make-up" container does NOT cut it as you mention.

 

I just bought the ES Master kit and they now package all five 'parts' (Upper, lower, end link, front sway, rear sway, caps) in separate bags with a couple of those small packs of lube (like packs of ketchup). I didn't know if it was enought so I paid for extra tub of lube (come on! it's only $10) just to be safe.

BTW, if you're looking to purchase a complete ES kit you may think from their website that it does not come with the Fr/Rr End link Bushings but they do so don't order them separate. All the parts listed as separate kits come with the master kit. Got mine from www.energysuspensionparts.com for like $102.

 

the black bushings are self lubricated and you can use the lube. The red ones you need to lube and contrary to the black ones are not self lubricated that can make noise.

 

Either I didn't add enough (stretching the use of the small bag) or the grease is no longer in the fron control arm bushings, because they will sqeak and bind if I lift the car or set it back down.

I may drill and tapa hole in the control arm bushing and the metal braket that holds the control arm to the frame to allow a grease fitting to be installed. I could also do a better job and remove the control arm, remove the bushings and drill/tap a hole on the side of the aluminumrod the bushing slips over and also a hole from the top of the little rod down to where I drilled the other hole. This would be a more secure way of installing a grease fitting.

I never heard of anyone needed more grease after doing the install so maybe I just need to add more grease to the bushings and put them back on and forget about them.

This is what I thought to. Since they have graphite in them. So they say. If this were true, why would they supply grease? I have the black bushings on my car and they do NOT self lubriate. I think its false advertising.

 

Well, I found why I couldn't write on paper with my busings and why they are not self lubricating.

Straight from Energy Suspension Parts.com
Most? I guess the Rx7 is not that special.

 

When installing my bushings, i really didn't think it was all that hard. I just took some time. I thought it was worth it.