What kind of improvement does changing out the suspension bushings provide?
02-03-05, 03:05 AM
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What kind of improvement does changing out the suspension bushings provide?
Just curious, looking to spend some money :P What do you guys suggest for bushings.
The background of the car is kinda crazy. I'll let you judge how streetable the bushings need to be:
S5 N/A GTU, Automatic --> 5spd. Premix only, gasket matched manifolds, removed emissions, removed a/c, removed p/s, eletronic 5/6+VDI, 410 gear swap, ACT street/strip clutch. Stock suspension, stock tires (about to have 275s in the front and 295s in the back though, be a wide treaded go cart beast). Decently quiet yet sporty exhaust.
But... dd
What do you guys suggest, and what can I expect?
The background of the car is kinda crazy. I'll let you judge how streetable the bushings need to be:
S5 N/A GTU, Automatic --> 5spd. Premix only, gasket matched manifolds, removed emissions, removed a/c, removed p/s, eletronic 5/6+VDI, 410 gear swap, ACT street/strip clutch. Stock suspension, stock tires (about to have 275s in the front and 295s in the back though, be a wide treaded go cart beast). Decently quiet yet sporty exhaust.
But... dd
What do you guys suggest, and what can I expect?
02-03-05, 07:08 AM
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Improves handling and ride. Helps the struts do their job. Replace the bushings and then do a wheel alignment. This will cut down on tire wear. Not a project that you absolutely have to do, but once done, you'll be glad you did it.....my $0.02
02-03-05, 10:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Chuck
Improves handling and ride. Helps the struts do their job. Replace the bushings and then do a wheel alignment. This will cut down on tire wear. Not a project that you absolutely have to do, but once done, you'll be glad you did it.....my $0.02
But stiffer bushings are a blessing and a curse. If your OEM bushings are totally SHOT, go for the upgrades - everything will feel better. But if the majority of your bushings are ok, you will feel a very noticeable decline in ride quality over poor roads.
The job is also pretty nasty...you'll need a torch and some clothes you DON'T care about. Gloves are a good idea too...you will get filthy.
02-03-05, 02:50 PM
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....and lots of time, i did mine a while back and i think it took me a total of around 40 hours total just cause i had to keep running back and fort for little things and completly tearing mys supension apart. Remember, use lots of grease, i didnt use enough on the rear so now its creaking when i take off.
02-03-05, 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by bcool
....and lots of time, i did mine a while back and i think it took me a total of around 40 hours total just cause i had to keep running back and fort for little things and completly tearing mys supension apart. Remember, use lots of grease, i didnt use enough on the rear so now its creaking when i take off.
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02-03-05, 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Chuck
Improves handling and ride. Helps the struts do their job. Replace the bushings and then do a wheel alignment. This will cut down on tire wear. Not a project that you absolutely have to do, but once done, you'll be glad you did it.....my $0.02
You can expect a stiffer setup, better response, handling, ect.
02-03-05, 08:49 PM
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Originally Posted by bcool
My busings were very stubborn, thats why it took me so long, plus i replaces my struts/springs
Well, I DID always have a hard time taking out the pilot bearing...I hated doing that.
02-03-05, 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted by bcool
Pilot bearing is a since with a slide hammer, i reccomend renting or buying one next time.
02-03-05, 10:09 PM
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i bought the graphite nuchings from energy, but have had them sitting in the garage for the year ive had the car... i just dont look forward to putting them in...
02-04-05, 07:54 AM
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Took me a long saturday to do the bushings, then I delayed about a day cuz I dropped the rear subframe and diff to clean and pain everything. I also installed the DTSS eliminators. Fire is your friend, and a 2-jaw puller can be used instead of a press. Good luck!
For reference, the DTSS eliminators make the car WAY more predictable in hard cornering. My old bushings were worn all around, and the DTSS ones were pretty much destroyed. I used an Energy Suspensions kit with plently of lube. The ride has firmed up considerably, and overall chassis response is now wonderful.
For reference, the DTSS eliminators make the car WAY more predictable in hard cornering. My old bushings were worn all around, and the DTSS ones were pretty much destroyed. I used an Energy Suspensions kit with plently of lube. The ride has firmed up considerably, and overall chassis response is now wonderful.
Last edited by dbgeek; 02-04-05 at 08:16 AM.
02-04-05, 08:34 AM
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I loved the results of the new bushings. The rear-steer bushings made a huge difference, so the rear wasn't sliding around with every bump I hit. When I replaced all the other rear bushings I didn't notice much of a difference. But when I replaced the fronts, it was totally different. I went from having annoying understeer to having a very neutral feeling, I'm guessing due to the sway bar end link bushings. I changed the sway bar bushings and mounts myself, and took the control arms to a shop to change the bushings for me.
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