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?

 

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'll be happy with the improvements in response...the car feels much more like one solid piece and more a part of the driver itself. However, ride quality takes a DUMP when polyurethane is used throughout. Parts like chassis braces are wonderful for street cars since they increase rigidity and feel with no negative effects on ride quality (in some cases, ride improves with additional bracing)

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.

 

....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.

 

Yowza! 40 hrs?!?!? Mine took about 5 hrs.

 

Use a press guys, it shouldn't take that long.

 

anyone use the graphite impregnated bushings that i *think* energy suspension has? i am wondering if they squeak less like they claim.

 

My busings were very stubborn, thats why it took me so long, plus i replaces my struts/springs

 

Better ride with poly bushings? Hardly.

You can expect a stiffer setup, better response, handling, ect.

 

Yea, they can be a real PITA! I never had a huge problem with stubborn parts on my car...springs and struts is a 45 minute job for me

Well, I DID always have a hard time taking out the pilot bearing...I hated doing that.

 

Pilot bearing is a since with a slide hammer, i reccomend renting or buying one next time.

 

I always said "next time" I'd get one hehe. I've only had to do it twice...but both times the chisel had to come out. Slowly but surely, it came out w/ no damage to the e shaft..

 

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...

 

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.

 

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.

 

what about squeaking? are they quiet if greased?

has anyone had them for over a year or so? do they eventally start to squeak?

justin

 

If you get the energy bushings...
The black ones they have graphite...in them...that might help on the squeaking..