Anybody Using Energy Or Poly Front Control Arm Bushings?

Mattstang04

15 Year Member

Sep 15, 2006

1,152

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104

St. Louis, MO

Apr 5, 2014

#1

• Apr 5, 2014

• #1

Just curious if anybody switched out the old rubber bushings in the stock front control arms for the stiffer polyurethane type. Did it change the feeling of the front end or improve the handling? More harsh or more comfortable? Were they noisy/squeaky?

I'm just pondering small future projects.

 

R

reldla1996

Member

May 4, 2011

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19

Dayton, Ohio

Apr 5, 2014

#2

• Apr 5, 2014

• #2

Definitely sharpened the handling, significantly. The ride is a little harsher, but I think some of it is subjective - the bushings transmit more noise when you hit the cracks in the road, which makes you think it's harsher. No squeaks. I've got them in both my 89 and my 04, because I like the handling improvement they give.

 

Mattstang04

15 Year Member

Sep 15, 2006

1,152

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St. Louis, MO

Apr 6, 2014

#3

• Apr 6, 2014

• #3

Cool. I may do that one day if I get bored. Thanks for the info.

 

S

stangrulez

New Member

Sep 27, 2011

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Apr 7, 2014

#4

• Apr 7, 2014

• #4

I was actually going to upgrade the bushings on my car as well, 96 gt vert. Is the install pretty straight forward or should I pay someone to avoid headaches?

 

R

reldla1996

Member

May 4, 2011

356

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19

Dayton, Ohio

Apr 7, 2014

#5

• Apr 7, 2014

• #5

To replace the front control arms requires removing the front springs. I'd say it's straightforward, but it does require you do things in the correct order and safely. Removing car springs can be dangerous if not done correctly.

 

bhuff30

Founding Member

Dec 11, 2001

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129

Olathe KS

Apr 14, 2014

#6

• Apr 14, 2014

• #6

You may also need a machine shop to help you press the old bushings out and press the new ones in. Just depends on the type of bushings you purchased and your abilities/tools.

I put poly bushings in my 88, and yes, the handling was sharper, but at the expense of more harshness. Coil overs would give you improved handling and less harshness for the same wheel rate.

 

Mavrick James

New Member

Apr 17, 2014

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2

Apr 18, 2014

#7

• Apr 18, 2014

• #7

Hi,
Yes I replaced my Toyota Control Arm & Suspension Bushings and it was really effective. The car was running more smoothly then no hard sounds at the bumps.

 

brownb2

New Member

Oct 29, 2011

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2

Maryland

Apr 24, 2014

#8

• Apr 24, 2014

• #8

I've also been thinking bout replacing mine need to do front ball joints so while everything is out i'll do them as well.

 

Mattstang04

15 Year Member

Sep 15, 2006

1,152

144

104

St. Louis, MO

Apr 25, 2014

#9

• Apr 25, 2014

• #9

If you end up using the urethane bushings, would you let me know the end result? I'm curious just how loud and/or harsh they are.