[robc1976]

Note: Not responsible for any damage to you or your car, this worked on my car so will work on yours.

***This tutorial assumes you know how to get your car secured on jack stands, if in doubt do NOT attempt this DIY!

Tools Need not in pic (2 jacks if possible & block of wood, (1) for a safety catch in case jack stand fail (I saw this happen and will NEVER forget it)....safety 1st). The 2nd jack is for jacking up suspension up to ride height.


Torque specs:

Subframe bolts (65 Ft lbs)
Strut bolts (25 ft lbs)

Suggestions:

I highly suggest a impact wrench.
I used a 14MM 12Pt socket instead of a E18 on subframe bolts.
If you can source a 3/34" inside diameter pipe you can skip a few spteps...I got tired of looking for one...I got each bushing out in less than 15 mins.

Note: I was in the middle of a wavetrac install so my exhaust and differential where not in place, You may have to unbolt half shafts...I will update thread in a day or so.

Rear bushings:


























Front bushings:

Click this link before beggining for correct orientation (thanks to "SteveAZ" for bring this to my attention)

http://www.powerflex.co.uk/i/product_images/5-420fi.pdf
































Reference pic of diameter of rear subframe bushing"

[robc1976]

added reference pic of diameter of bushing to DIY at end

[sammy_0559]

you are probably the best thing that happened to this forum. i like posting up DIYs as i go but don't mod my car as rapidly as you

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by sammy_0559

you are probably the best thing that happened to this forum. i like posting up DIYs as i go but don't mod my car as rapidly as you

I appreciate that man!

[robc1976]

Edited first post with size of waterpump socket:

[SneakyDeeky]

Excellent work once again. I think this mod may be in my near future. Any feedback on on the feel / handling impact of these over OEM?

Also, how many miles were on your OEM bushings before being replaced?
I ask b/c it helps provide context for the subjective handling improvement.

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by SneakyDeeky

Excellent work once again. I think this mod may be in my near future. Any feedback on on the feel / handling impact of these over OEM?

Also, how many miles were on your OEM bushings before being replaced?
I ask b/c it helps provide context for the subjective handling improvement.

car had 105,000 and a huge improvement....when hiring s bump it does not transfer to the otherside...better planted....huge improvement at WOT.

[SneakyDeeky]

Originally Posted by robc1976

car had 105,000 and a huge improvement....when hiring s bump it does not transfer to the otherside...better planted....huge improvement at WOT.

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like it was worthwhile.

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by SneakyDeeky

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like it was worthwhile.

It was for sure!

[minivan]

You're my hero

[ulis11]

I just finished this DIY this last weekend. I pretty much exclusively used this page to do it with a few additions to make things a little easier.

I had trouble getting the rear "front" subframe bushings out. The bushings are taller, giving them more grip and the 4" hole saw doesn't have a lot of ground to stand on when extracting. I scratched my head for a while and even tried the water pump socket idea but with the bushing about 1 inch out (from the hole saw) the thing wouldn't budge.

So.. I did the only thing I could think of. I stacked a bunch of washers (from the hole saw setup) on top of the bushing up to the metal part of the chassis the bushing bolts into. Then, I started jacking the subframe up at the front lower control arm. The force of the jack pushing up on the subframe and the weight of the car on the washers, the bushing will begin to move. This is when I applied heat using the torch and the bushing slides out like butter. I did have to go through a couple iterations where I had to add washers since the subframe came up and touched the car (max travel). With enough washers the bushing was easy to remove with my fingers or it would just fall off the car.

The back ones could probably be removed the same way but getting the big powerflex back bushing is still tricky. Using the floor jack just inside the subframe (as pictured) and a pipe to guide it is really the best way to get it started. You will need the hole saw or something similar to pull the bushing all the way through. I used a 1/2" pipe flange I bought at home depot. Also worked perfectly for the back bushing.

To anyone considering this mod, its really not that hard. I just finished it so you can PM me with any questions. The change is actually substantial. I am a bit overwhelmed with how much firmer the rear is. My car had 90,000 miles when I changed out the bushings. The old ones didn't look that bad. They looked about the same as the ones pictured here where about 99% of their damage was from me removing them.

Good luck!

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by ulis11

I just finished this DIY this last weekend. I pretty much exclusively used this page to do it with a few additions to make things a little easier.

I had trouble getting the rear "front" subframe bushings out. The bushings are taller, giving them more grip and the 4" hole saw doesn't have a lot of ground to stand on when extracting. I scratched my head for a while and even tried the water pump socket idea but with the bushing about 1 inch out (from the hole saw) the thing wouldn't budge.

So.. I did the only thing I could think of. I stacked a bunch of washers (from the hole saw setup) on top of the bushing up to the metal part of the chassis the bushing bolts into. Then, I started jacking the subframe up at the front lower control arm. The force of the jack pushing up on the subframe and the weight of the car on the washers, the bushing will begin to move. This is when I applied heat using the torch and the bushing slides out like butter. I did have to go through a couple iterations where I had to add washers since the subframe came up and touched the car (max travel). With enough washers the bushing was easy to remove with my fingers or it would just fall off the car.

The back ones could probably be removed the same way but getting the big powerflex back bushing is still tricky. Using the floor jack just inside the subframe (as pictured) and a pipe to guide it is really the best way to get it started. You will need the hole saw or something similar to pull the bushing all the way through. I used a 1/2" pipe flange I bought at home depot. Also worked perfectly for the back bushing.

To anyone considering this mod, its really not that hard. I just finished it so you can PM me with any questions. The change is actually substantial. I am a bit overwhelmed with how much firmer the rear is. My car had 90,000 miles when I changed out the bushings. The old ones didn't look that bad. They looked about the same as the ones pictured here where about 99% of their damage was from me removing them.

Good luck!

that is odd, I have done 30 sets of these and hole saw then water pump sucker then oil filter pliers they come right out...usually don't need anything else. Another trick is to get bushing out as far as it will come then cut it in half with cutoff tool then pull the rest of it out with hole saw....since it is cut off it will not bottom out on hole saw. Another option is to get a 5" deep hole saw so it doesn't bottom out.

[AWDBooSTIn90]

Has anyone who has done this mod daily drive their car? My bushings are shot. (120kmiles). I want to change them out to improve handling. Do they create more vibration or any more stiffness?

How about these poly subframe bushings and poly diff bushings? Too much as a combo for a DD?

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by AWDBooSTIn90

Has anyone who has done this mod daily drive their car? My bushings are shot. (120kmiles). I want to change them out to improve handling. Do they create more vibration or any more stiffness?

How about these poly subframe bushings and poly diff bushings? Too much as a combo for a DD?

I have 25,000 miles on them and love the powerflex!

[AWDBooSTIn90]

So its roughly $400 for a full set of these?

[cedchung]

Did you also replace the 3 differential bushings by powerflex?

[AntonP]

Is it just my computer or does anyone else see the photos?

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by AntonP

Is it just my computer or does anyone else see the photos?

your pc, coming up just fine

[J. Dub]

I wish I knew where Rob lived.
Then I wish I could pay him to do all this work on my car.
Sadness consumes me. As do first world problems

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by J. Dub

I wish I knew where Rob lived.
Then I wish I could pay him to do all this work on my car.
Sadness consumes me. As do first world problems

lol! I have done 30 sets

[Scottycs]

pictures down?

[juliano]

Originally Posted by Scottycs

pictures down?

No, Not at all.

Robc1976, many thanks for your tutorial.