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Bushing Refresh on Gen 4 GT Wagon

PostPosted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 8:00 am
by lhuynh
Hi guys,

Looking for advice on where to start with replacing aged/worn bushings on their wagon. Vehicle is curently at 180,000kms and has just had MCA coilovers installed to replace the old knocking Bilstiens.

Few questions on this;

1. Is there any particular order we need to follow if not all bushings will be replaced at once.
2. Which ones are simple DIY replacements and which ones require specialist tools or a workshop
3. Who do you recommend in Sydney to inspect and report on condition of suspension bushigs and components
4. which brands/kits to go with
5. Approximate cost of this exercise

Cheers

Re: Bushing Refresh on Gen 4 GT Wagon

PostPosted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 9:13 am
by bigBADbenny
1: Get the car up and inspect the bushings with a strong torch.
The (rearward) big front lca bushes are usually the first requiring replacement.
2: Check the whiteline online catalog for details regarding installation and pricing etc.
3: None of the bushes require a specialist workshop, but your corner weighting and alignment will :)
Get quotes from garage88, heasmans, msr or your local with self sourced parts.
4: Decide your nvh/performance tradeoff as regards oem or aftermarket.
Eg I’m avo caster offset lca’s and whiteline rca kit & rear upper camber adjusted, stock elsewhere :)
wl, avo, jspeed, cusco, superpro etc.
5: budget for at least $80/hr plus parts and a day to do the lot.
Don’t forget the jdm alloy control arm set f&r, the wl adjustable rear lateral arms and the other adjustable rear upper arms :P
If you’re going ham on the bushes you need all the trimmings, plus an avo h brace and rear sway mounts.
Then and only then consider uprated swaybars to fine tune the handling :)


Research:
https://www.google.com.au/search?biw=32 ... R599YzkyIw

https://www.google.com.au/search?biw=32 ... EaZfTAB1Ws

Re: Bushing Refresh on Gen 4 GT Wagon

PostPosted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 9:06 am
by bigBADbenny
Update ^
If you diy you’ll need a big breaker or rattle gun & stands and ramps, the latter as the horizontal bolts need to be torqued at the ride height, not the unsprung height.
And a press, or use the local garage...
At this point you may consider an rca kit too, if eg lowered somewhat.

Re: Bushing Refresh on Gen 4 GT Wagon

PostPosted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 8:35 pm
by lhuynh
Can we get away with a ball joint remover kits and just press them out by hand?

Re: Bushing Refresh on Gen 4 GT Wagon

PostPosted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 10:38 pm
by bigBADbenny
lhuynh wrote:Can we get away with a ball joint remover kits and just press them out by hand?


There’s a couple that can be done with hand tools but they’re the exemption.
Generally a press in the 2t range works eg at your local garage.

Re: Bushing Refresh on Gen 4 GT Wagon

PostPosted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 5:55 pm
by lhuynh
What would be a fair and reasonable price to pay for labour?

One of the above posts indicated approx 80/hr and budget a day. Would that be 8hrs of work? So approx $640 in labour?alone?

Re: Bushing Refresh on Gen 4 GT Wagon

PostPosted: Wed Jan 24, 2018 9:46 pm
by bigBADbenny
I’d recommend getting quotes, so you’re aware of the variation in pricing for labour and or parts.

The whiteline website has approximate durations for installation, listed in the PDF install manuals available on each part listing page.

If you pm me your parts list and or project scope, I’ll quote you on calculating the costings, and ring workshops for quotes.

JK, usually you would establish a relationship with a quality workshop and discuss your objectives and budget. :)

But iirc around 2k & budget up to half again for alignment, guard work and corner weighting :P

If you’re replacing all of the bushes you must consider rigi cola, for around $300 per end not inc install.

Re: Bushing Refresh on Gen 4 GT Wagon

PostPosted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 1:27 pm
by TFish
woah, was just going to post a similar question but searched instead like a good forum user :)

I have just changed my front drive shafts, tie rod ends and gearbox/diff oils before moving into an apartment block and not being able to do the work myself anymore. While I was under there I noticed that I couldn't spot a bush that wasn't worn out on my 2007 GT-B sedan.

I did up a list of what I could see on opposed forces parts diagrams/lists:

Front
20204AG040 – Bushing-transverse link front x2
20204AG011 - Bushing-transverse link, rear x2
20414AG030 - Bushing-stabilizer x2
20470SA000 - Link assembly-front stabilizer x2

Rear
20466AE000 - Clamp-stabilizer bushing x2
20464AE040 - Bushing-stabilizer x2
20470AE001 - Link assembly-stabilizer, rear x2
20254AE010 - Bushing b-lateral link x2
20254AE040 - Bushing d-lateral link x2
20254AE050 - Bushing-trailing link, front x2
???? – Rear Subframe Centre bushing? x2

Engine Mounts (if needed)
41040FE000 - Rod assembly-pitching stopper
41022AG220 - Cushion rubber-engine, right
41022AG190 - Cushion rubber-engine, left

Like you said, it seems like it could easily be a $3k job. Now I'm confused about all the options available also....my Lib is completely stock except for a road tune

Re: Bushing Refresh on Gen 4 GT Wagon

PostPosted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 1:35 pm
by TFish
Sorry for double posting but I was wondering what ones would be (most) dangerous to delay replacing in people's opinion?

Re: Bushing Refresh on Gen 4 GT Wagon

PostPosted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 6:48 pm
by bigBADbenny
The front lower control arm bushings in the rearward position are the first to go.

The stock items have inner reliefs and the rubber tears after around 60-100k klm.

Similarly the rear diff cradle & mount bushes, relieved and silicone filled respectively.

And the stock pitch stop mount: relieved...

They’re relieved to suppress nvh, aftermarket replacements aren’t, for a small nvh tradeoff.

Re: Bushing Refresh on Gen 4 GT Wagon

PostPosted: Sun Feb 18, 2018 7:46 pm
by TFish
I agree, this frickin inner reliefs are driving me crazy! so I'll focus on those

Re: Bushing Refresh on Gen 4 GT Wagon

PostPosted: Wed Feb 21, 2018 8:31 pm
by lhuynh
What size bushing fits the stock front sway bar?

Whiteline have 3 from 20mm to 24mm

Re: Bushing Refresh on Gen 4 GT Wagon

PostPosted: Sat Feb 24, 2018 8:23 am
by TFish
I have spent the morning compiling a list of part numbers, prices and pictures of Superpro vs Nolathane vs Whiteline in a spreadsheet but this attachment type is not allowed on the forum.

Dropbox link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/bq40gl1ipo5a7 ... .xlsx?dl=0

Happy to add other brands if they are recommended?

Cheers,
TFish

Re: Bushing Refresh on Gen 4 GT Wagon

PostPosted: Wed Mar 07, 2018 9:20 pm
by Shaheenis
What a coincidence I just came on the forum to ask the same question. I have done a fair amount of reading on what are the best bushes to replace as upgrades but the threads always seem to focus on a few, LCA & rear diff.

What I would really like to know is the longer list and recommended order based on best upgrades, which ones fail earlier and need replacing. Some bushes will never get replaced in the life of the car and you wouldn't be any the wiser so they are low importance. I would like to spend hundreds not thousands on bush upgrades and all I really know is LCA and rear diff cradle bushes.

OP you can add Superpro TRC0002 to your list I understand this will fit the Gen4 and replaces the ball joints and tie rod ends - Front Roll centre/bump steer upgrade. I was planning to do this as mine is dropped on Swifts and figure the originals would be getting long in the tooth at ~150K. Also apparently Jspeed LCAs through Garage88 come highly recommended.

Re: Bushing Refresh on Gen 4 GT Wagon

PostPosted: Wed Mar 07, 2018 10:22 pm
by bigBADbenny
Since the lib is Mac strut front and multi link rear, eg per side 2 bushes/2 ball joints vs 9 or so rear inc diff bushes, logically you’d prioritise the front as there’s less bushes doing more work as well as steering and the opportunity to upgrade to rca, caster adjust, alloy arms etc, if required.

At the rear you’d prioritise the diff and other relieved bushes eg rear trailing arm forward bush, then address any rear camber issues with the wl bush kit or aftermarket arms...
Lastly the rear lateral arms, if torn, loose or unable to reach correct rear toe, go wl adjustable rear lateral arms which are supplied as new with bushes :)

If you still can’t reach your alignment, swap out or measure your sub frames and reinstall with rigi cola :)

If a bushing is cracked or worn, replace it as required and ensure the suspension nuts n bolts are torqued with the wheels on stands at ride height to ensure good service life :)

In practice, oem bushes are preferred for cost, durability and yes handling; the very notable exceptions being the locations where you want or need to add adjustability or performance as regards your handling.

Alas better drivers than I say it’s lippy on a pig: just get a my15 sti lol...