Upgraded Suspension Bushings, front control arm and rear trailing/adjustment arm bushings Options

[hurley97]

A while ago I bought these Polyurethane bushings for the rear suspension and I finally got a chance to install them




You can get them on eBay here
or from Red Rocket Performance, or user RedRkt01 here on 6gc, mr2oc, or celicatech


We had installed the set for the front on Dustin's car a while back, link to thread here, and they made a huge difference. I wanted to do the rears first in my car to see the difference between just the fronts and just the rears. So I did.

They replace the bushings in both rear adjustment arms, trailing arms, and control arms. I brought the car to work and installed them with the help of one of the guys I work with. The job required the use of the press, vice, air hammer, torch, the air gun, and a few hand tools. Not really a job I could have done by myself outside in front of the house, might have been able to do it in Manny's garage but it would not have been easy and would have taken at least all day if not all weekend. It took us about 3-1/2 to 4 hrs to finish the job. And yes, you really need to do an alignment afterward.

I didn't really take good pictures during the process and all I have are crappy pictures of the finished product. Maybe I can get some better ones on my day off.












First Impressions:
I've only put about 150 miles on the car since the installation and most of it has been back and forth to work in traffic. I do have to say, these things are very bad for me. People already tell me I drive like a maniac and I'm usually the only person on the road who speeds up to take a corner, but now I just feel like I can go even faster all the time. I have gotten a little time with some corners and all I can think about is finding more corners and driving even faster around them. I actually got my front wheels to loose grip around a corner while the rear had not problem and just guided the car around. The car feels much more solid overall and, it might seem weird, but I feel like the steering is more precise.
I used to take 30mph curved exit ramps at 75-80mph and be scared, hovering my foot over the brake pedal just in case I needed it. Now, I have complete confidence in my 80mph exit ramp and speed up the whole way through. So far so good

(I really am not that much of a manic though... not all the time anyway)

This post has been edited by hurley97: May 31, 2011 - 5:25 PM

[hurley97]

I have to comment that it was money well spent. And the difference in handling all depends on the part, its not all the same and like anything else you pay more for something that makes a bigger difference. For example, how much does a stock strut bar cost and how effective is it? You pay more for a three point front or rear strut bar, why? Because it makes a bigger difference in handling. And like BonzaiCelica said, he is the only one that makes them for our cars, you pay for rare parts also. Thats why parts for Celica's are generally more expensive than for a Civic say. And I think Dustin's point is they are not just pieces or polymer, there is a lot engineering and precision involved. For example again, why do you pay so much for tires? Why do some tires cost more than others? They are all just pieces of rubber aren't they?

[SwissFerdi]

I have to comment that it was money well spent. And the difference in handling all depends on the part, its not all the same and like anything else you pay more for something that makes a bigger difference. For example, how much does a stock strut bar cost and how effective is it? You pay more for a three point front or rear strut bar, why? Because it makes a bigger difference in handling. And like BonzaiCelica said, he is the only one that makes them for our cars, you pay for rare parts also. Thats why parts for Celica's are generally more expensive than for a Civic say. And I think Dustin's point is they are not just pieces or polymer, there is a lot engineering and precision involved. For example again, why do you pay so much for tires? Why do some tires cost more than others? They are all just pieces of rubber aren't they?

Thanks for the explanation.