review: 7G complete prothane/urethane bushing kit

[peanotation]

Do your stock bushings look like this?
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/4457/1qi7.th.jpg ('http://img109.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1qi7.jpg')

Even if they don't, the OEM bushings on the 7G are sloppier than my ex-girlfriend bouncing up and down on her new boy-toy right now. As the car encounters bumps, hard turns, and everything else the suspension undergoes, all the dozens of bushings are flexing or bending in some way, transfering energy less efficiently into the shock/spring assembly.

Does this mean your ride will get stiffer after you put the new bushings in? Strictly the opposite. A lot of bounce and swager can directly be attributed to sloppy bushings. With urethane bushings from <span style='color:red'>prothane</span>, unlike the energy urethane bushings, it is almost impossible to flex or bend them at all with your bare hands. I can fold an OEM bushing in half with my hands after a hearty jerk-off session. With efficient suspension that directly sends all "shock" straight into the springs/shocks, the car is "allowed" to absorb all undesirable conditions on the road faster and more effectively. I would also like to point out that the bushings fill in the lateral spaces for every joint, thus furthering the control of deflection. Bottom line, your car is going to ride smoother than your buddy's benz, provided your suspension is respectable.

I never fully understood the seriousness of the OEM bushings and their supreme sloppiness until I went to remove the trailing arm. If you are doing this install yourself, do yourself a favor and grab a hold of that trailing arm while the big end is still bolted in the car. Now flail that puppy around. I could actually touch my sideskirt with the trailing arm being forced laterally. When you put the prothane in, bolt the big end down and try to flail it around again. What's that? You can't even move it side to side? You can thank me later :wink:

First, you must remove the OEM bushings. Everyone has their own method, and mine is a result of combining others'. Ideally, if you have a hydralic press then you only have a few hours of work ahead of you. If you don't, the next best step IMO is to create a self-sustaining fire. I used a propane torch.

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/5462/img0795ll0.th.jpg ('http://img162.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0795ll0.jpg')http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/9254/img0778wh9.th.jpg ('http://img102.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0778wh9.jpg')

It takes about 5 minutes with the torch, but once you get it going you can hammer the inner metal sleeve out or twist it out with pliers. Use your judgement to decide when the rubber becomes loose enough.

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/7808/img0781tx9.th.jpg ('http://img147.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0781tx9.jpg')

Now the inner metal sleeve has been removed; there is still a significant amount of rubber (unless you let it all burn away, takes longer) and the outer metal sleeve that holds all this mess together. Using a sawzall, cut from the inside. Make sure to cut just enough for the metal sleeve and not to go over onto the actual suspension component. A little overcutting is OK, but anymore than a credit card thick starts to make this into a ghetto mod. This isn't a hyundai forum...

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/1561/img0782oo2.th.jpg ('http://img59.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0782oo2.jpg')

The inner metal sleeve on left, outer "master" metal sleeve on right.

Now this is the point where energy and prothane bushings differ. For one, energy bushings are black. Prothane bushings come in either black or red, and we all know which color adds more horsepower. In all seriousness, I couldn't find the black prothane bushings anywhere. SBR, RRE, the whole crowd just had them in red.

Energy bushings can be twisted and played around with one hand. If you can get a prothane bushing to contort to the smallest degree with your bare hands, I feel sorry for the next guy that picks a fight with you.

Also, the complete energy bushing kit doesn't replace the rear inner lower control arm bushings. The complete prothane kit does. The energy kit also doesn't supply urethane swaybar bushings. My prothane kit came with rear 17mm, rear 18mm and front 18mm swaybar bushings. This alone convinced me to buy the prothanes before I knew they were 1000x stiffer than the energy bushings. More on this later...

The prothane bushings come in halves. How do you install these? Simple. You apply the supplied grease to the bushing, and slide one half in.

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/7391/img0879th0.th.jpg ('http://img145.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0879th0.jpg')

Apply grease to the other half, install. Apply grease to the inner brass rod, install. You should be looking at:

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9288/img0784fh3.th.jpg ('http://img88.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0784fh3.jpg')

Now how hard are the energy bushings to install? I got a huge headache just thinking about it. Bottom line, the bushings come as a WHOLE. Therefore, you must PRESS the bushing into the suspension component. This requires some motor oil to help slide the bushing in, a vice, a lot of time (too much time IMO), and a lot of energy to shout when the bushings pop off or slide in the wrong direction. It sucks. Bad. Unless you have a hydralic press, then you're golden.

Now for the lower control arms. Almost all the bushings in the prothane kit are just urethane with a metal (brass?) sleeve inserted through the middle. However, the toe control arm and lower control arm (REARS ONLY) uses a slightly different setup.

First, here is the rear lower control arm's inner bushing with the rubber completely burned away. Remaining is the outer metal sleeve:
http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/2227/img0793fc2.th.jpg ('http://img103.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0793fc2.jpg')

Sleeve removed:
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/2923/img0794ss9.th.jpg ('http://img145.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0794ss9.jpg')

The prothane kit uses a new metal sleeve, inserted here:
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/7421/img0791nk6.th.jpg ('http://img163.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0791nk6.jpg')

Grease and insert prothane inserts and metal sleeve:
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/130/img0792fk3.th.jpg ('http://img47.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0792fk3.jpg')

All finished!
http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/442/img0806gj3.th.jpg ('http://img395.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0806gj3.jpg')

After just one corner...
http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/8094/img0797yo2.th.jpg ('http://img106.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0797yo2.jpg')

All the rear bushings on display:
http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/9747/rearsrx7.th.jpg ('http://img106.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rearsrx7.jpg')

From RRE's website, here is a complete list of what the prothane kit replaces:
http://roadraceengineering.com/parts/prothane/ ('http://roadraceengineering.com/parts/prothane/')

------------------------------------------------

I cannot stress enough how much better the car handles. Even driving in a straight line feels better, if you can even imagine that. I'm not even going to get started on this because I'll be typing for days on the benefits that i'm enjoying, all the while i'm still noticing new ones, even 2 weeks later!

<span style='font-size:25pt;line-height:100%'>IT IS SUPREME.</span>

It is recommended that you get an alignment after this install for the obvious reasons: the rear toe control arms are now misaligned. Also, the bushings are no longer flexing when the car is sitting. And when was the last time you got an alignment anyways?

[DOHCstunr]

sticky this

<span style='font-size:25pt;line-height:100%'>GREAT WRITE UP!!!!!!!!</span>

i cannot fully emphasise the improvement that comes with these bushings. by far one of the BEST mods that can be done to any suspension...
and without a doubt, the very next mod after a set of springs and shocks.
screw braces and bars.
springs/shocks,
bushings
swaybars.
braces.
in that order.
anything else is uncivilized, and unrealized

[krazienluv10]

sounds Great!!!! i still never got around with the other side https://www.thegalantcenter.org/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif ill try passing by ur house again...

[sabzi5858]

it also should be noted that the shocks will wear out faster because they will be doing more work now. not that that's a bad thing, they should have been doing the work in the first place.

do you get any squeaking now? that seems to be the big reason to go energy instead or prothane.

[seth98esT]

Great writeup, I really need to make a decision on 4lug vs 5lug and install mine.

[evil-G-nius]

I agree also. Excellent feel and noise free. No squeaks, the car is pretty much point and shoot. Point it in the corner you wanna tackle and hit the gas! Uh...of course that is in conjunction with other suspension upgrades. I wouldnt necessarily recomend you try that with stock setup with new bushings!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(peanotation)</div><div class='quotemain'>sloppier than my ex-girlfriend bouncing up and down on her new boy-toy right now</div> Um...bitter? :laughing:

[jake26]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(seth98esT)</div><div class='quotemain'>Great writeup, I really need to make a decision on 4lug vs 5lug and install mine.</div>

or you can just sell the bushings to me since i know u still have them since the MB meet lol

[Blue Ice]

Great write up! This is one of the last few things i want to get before i start the you know what. Since my car ill be down, i'll just take care of several things at once. So a ? or two.

When i go to look for these, do they make them for Galant or do i need to get 2g Eclipse?

Matt when you got your alignment did the place have a problem because of the body kit? I haven't had mine done in years, and i'm sure it's the reason my tires are ate up. :roll:
The reason i haven't been lately is cause i figure they'll give me a hard time cause of the kit.

[sabzi5858]

yeah, nice write-up, i think i'm actually going to install the set i've had sitting here for more than 3 years. just been worried about claims of squeaking. you've convinced me they need to be installed, now.

you would get the set for the 2g eclipse. they are available from www.roadraceengineering.com, i don't know if you can get them cheaper anywhere else.

[peanotation]

no squeeking; the ride is completely silent at all times. to be sure, you should apply grease to everything that's urethane that will be touching anything else. that's the inside and outside of every bushing basically.

slowboy has the whole kit for the $190 + shipping. when i bought them from sbr they had their random free shipping spree and that's all i paid. and yeah it's for a 2g

after some searching, i found a shop that was really cool with the car being kitted and they align me for $45 flat, kit poses no problems for them

[DOHCstunr]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sabzi5858)</div><div class='quotemain'>yeah, nice write-up, i think i'm actually going to install the set i've had sitting here for more than 3 years. Â*just been worried about claims of squeaking. Â*you've convinced me they need to be installed, now.

you would get the set for the 2g eclipse. Â*they are available from www.roadraceengineering.com, i don't know if you can get them cheaper anywhere else.</div>
Prothane now sells a black bushing kit with the graphite impregnation, just like energy.

but i will say, my rmdsm front and rear sway bar set have prothane bushings.
I made sure to clean the contact surfaces thoroughly with a rag and some brake parts cleaner. so that any dirt/debris wouldn't be in there(on the bar, the subframe, and the bracket) wouldn't create squeaks. then i used lots of lube on every surface.

i think thats a key ingredient in the bushing install, is cleaning all the surfaces before you lube them up. that should ensure that teh grease doesn't get contaminated.

but i will say this,
if you develop a squeak 10k miles down the road with the prothane,
you can EASILY pop that bushings out, clean everything, and relube it.
wheras with my energy bushigns, i would HAVE to press them out.

[Sleepervr-4]

Just finished my install and just have to add if your stock bushings are intact like mine were you could just put the control arms in a vice. Heat up the control arms (not the bushing) with a propane tourch for about 2 min. Then just tap the bushing out sleve and all with a hammer and socket. 11/16 if I'm correct . Then to insert the sleve you just press it with the vice to get it in. Then use a 2x4 to and hammer to get them in the rest of the way.

[bronxbombr]

nice.

[Sleepervr-4]

Just realized I never installed 2 metal bushings in the rear suspension. I can't seem to find out wtf they go. Here is a pic of them
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/5705/bushingsf7.th.jpg (http://img109.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bushingsf7.jpg)

[peanotation]

Just realized I never installed 2 metal bushings in the rear suspension. I can't seem to find out wtf they go. Here is a pic of them
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/5705/bushingsf7.th.jpg (http://img109.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bushingsf7.jpg)


same here, have no idea wtf they're for

[T-double]

hey since I lowered my car I have been hearing that sound coming from the rear some nasty sound I though it was the struts but I guess not... I suppose that the kit is well worth the money.... Is the installation hard.... I had to do a bugs suspention and get the oem bushing out and install the new stuff it took a little time....

[peanotation]

it's not hard, i wouldn't say that, just time consuming

[Kwikfox]

hmph, should have thought about using a torch... I did mine using a hammer, chisle, razor and cement blocks... :-| Although lucky for me several of the bushings were falling apart. The ones on my strut rods just slid off, and a couple on my control arms just fell apart... Oh this was my MR2 by the way. The G is next...

[T-double]

I guess that is on my list of things to do :cool:

[T-double]

ok I am going crazy I attempeted to install some of the bushings and I am now mad as hell...... i am on the rear Loower control arm and it sucks.... I am so mad....I have a air chizle and I am getting the old stuff out but it is so horrible I am so mad and I just want to scream.... I love doing suspention work but this is no joke.... This make you or brake you.... Did anyone else have any problems with this part

[Sleepervr-4]

I have a problem trying to get the bolts to line up after all the bushings were installed in the rear. That shit was stiff as hell. It took 2 of us with prybars to line things up for the bolts. Btw with this freezing weather in ny my car is sqeeking like a mofo :lol: I guess I should have used more lube. Hope it goes back to normal once the weather warms up :(

[Bezzle]

thanks for the tip Angel.lol Ill be sure to do so when the time comes around.

[DOHCstunr]

I have a problem trying to get the bolts to line up after all the bushings were installed in the rear. That shit was stiff as hell. It took 2 of us with prybars to line things up for the bolts. Btw with this freezing weather in ny my car is sqeeking like a mofo :lol: I guess I should have used more lube. Hope it goes back to normal once the weather warms up :(
yeah you ahve to lube the hell out of the bore around the bushing, the bore withing the bushing, and then outside and inside fo the sleeve.
all with clean hands so you don't get grit trapped in there.

mine have never squeked. ever.

its pretty crazy how much slop the stock suspension has in it. once you put the new bushings in there you literally can't jsut slap everythign back together, there is an order to get it lined up, lol. i use a jack under the knuckle so the trailing arm can reach the bolt holes.

but man... i've said it a million timmes, bushings in a 7g really wakes the car up.

[peanotation]

ok I am going crazy I attempeted to install some of the bushings and I am now mad as hell...... i am on the rear Loower control arm and it sucks.... I am so mad....I have a air chizle and I am getting the old stuff out but it is so horrible I am so mad and I just want to scream.... I love doing suspention work but this is no joke.... This make you or brake you.... Did anyone else have any problems with this part

you don't need to completely remove all the rubber from the oem bushing sleeves....you just need to get enough out so you can cut the sleeve out with a sawzall or something. the first few bushings i did i completely removed all of the rubber and then took the sleeve out after that, but it's pointless because it all comes out anyways....so you're just trying to clear enough rubber to get a blade in there

[T-double]

well I have access to a press and I have been pressing mine out... I don't have a tourch so I have been using the schools press... So far I have gotten one side done.....Well half way just the inner lower control arm mand the upeer control arm but everything else has to be tended too.....

[laxinwarrior]

I just received my bushings and will be installing them as soon as I get my AGX's w/prokit in the mail. :D And mine actually came in black, I was impressed. Maybe i'll be nice and post a few pics as long as I can find a camera to borrow during the install.

[DOHCstunr]

the black are bettter,
they have graphite in them.
it helps lubricate things and keep the sqeaks down.

don't forget to use tons of lube on every bushing, sleeve, and bore.
you'll regret it if you don't
make sure you clean out the bores before you grease them. any rust or other contaminates can cause squeaking down the road.

i've had my bushings in for almost 2 years now annd i am happy to say no squeaks.
its all in the prep

[4g64terror]

heres the thing...ive had my prothane bushing kit in now for about 4 years just in the rear...up until a month ago they have been squeaking and driving me absolutely batty...turns out the stock grease they include (which is no where NEAR enough) dries up and turns into powder over time...i had to totally re-dissasemble the whole rear suspension and slather on so much white lithium grease that i never wanna see it again...my advice...dont use their grease unless u wanna do it again in a few years

[laxinwarrior]

Yeah so I actually just started installing these today. :oops: Can't wait to feel the difference.

[PogiGreg]

Where is the best place to order this kit?

[laxinwarrior]

You can try just about any of the typical DSM shops. RRE, Slowboy, Extreme PSI, etc. Just browse around and try to find the best price. Just make sure to order the kit for a 2g FWD.

Edit: It was just brought to my attention that slowboy is now selling these for $370.00 :smt103

[PogiGreg]

Hey guys, I was about to do a full blown suspension replacement this weekend. Uppers, lowers, trailing arms, the whole nine yards. If I get the prothane kit, am I just replacing the bushings? Meaning that I can still use the parts? Short of new ball joints. It seems cheaper to go with the prothane rather than buy all new parts.

[DOHCstunr]

yeah. short of balljoints.... it woudl be better to go with the complete prothane.

[peanotation]

buying all new parts will still leave you with OEM rubber joints, rather than the life-long stiff prothane superior alternative

[RacerX4g64S]

Is there any observed difference in the cars with energy vs prothane. I know prothane are stiffer but when i went RREs site and they say they use Energy on all of their cars. Has any one driven both?

[RacerX4g64S]

Any one?

[DOHCstunr]

i've owned both.
i'll never go back to energy.

[RacerX4g64S]

Thanks for your imput, I am going to get teh Prothane master kit. Any reason why? Just curious!

[RacerX4g64S]

Just recived the kit $182.00 Shipped from http://www.neverenoughauto.com/index.php
I will be installing the rear in about a week!!

[DOHCstunr]

make sure you get some type of solvent like toulene or xylene.
and some rubber gloves.

its a real dirty job. so what i did to keep things clean and to keep from contaminating the bushings....

was wear gloves of course. but completely clean all the inner bores (where the bushings will be pressed in) with strong solvent so that there would be no residue.

since my hands and gloves were dirty, i had my girlfriend lubricate and push in the bushings while I held the components..

this way i didn't recontaminate the area's i just cleaned.

[peanotation]

i had my girlfriend lubricate and push in the bushings while I held the components..

needless to say, she required no instruction, as this was part of her daily routine at the turnmire estate

[DOHCstunr]

lmao

[hk20000]

LOL thanks for the tips by the way a quick google showed
http://www.cimotorsports.net/motor-sport-products/prothane-complete-bushing-set-95-99-eclipsetalon.html

at $179.99

any cheaper stuff out there? I saw a set for like $10x or so before...maybe that's energy suspension pricing?

[StreetDreams]

LOL thanks for the tips by the way a quick google showed
http://www.cimotorsports.net/motor-sport-products/prothane-complete-bushing-set-95-99-eclipsetalon.html

at $179.99

any cheaper stuff out there? I saw a set for like $10x or so before...maybe that's energy suspension pricing?

That site has some great pricing on everything. Good find. They offer a SBR turbo for less than what SBR sells it for; the difference was over $100.00.

Saved that one to my favorites.:cool:

[RacerX4g64S]

DOCHstunr would Brake Clean work? Maybe a light sanding to remove rust? I hope to start on this Tomorrow!

[RacerX4g64S]

Does CI MotorSports offer free shipping? $182 was shipped UPS from MI to PA. And the guy offers $5 refund for installed pics! I was planing on pawning Peanotation's Pics as my own! J/K

[howey]

Can anyone tell me of a website to purchase urethane bushings.

[peanotation]

about 4 posts up from yours someone has linked directly to one place....also, RRE sells them, slowboyracing, the usuals

[hk20000]

Local Mopac (performance autoparts dealer place) wants $265 + $25 for it so I went for them.....1.2CDN = 1USD now :P

[hk20000]

got the stuff in a box in my garage now.... Watch for updates.

[DOHCstunr]

summit has the best price for the master set.

[RacerX4g64S]

Does anyone have pictures of what/where the front bushing go/replace. I did installed the rear set and it basic-ly every bushing but the front is a specific few. Yes no?

[skrap]

Its pretty self explainitory just match up the bushings and where they go they should be around the same size as stock. Like control arms and shit like that. plus it should come with directions that wil show you the ball park area

[mko]

Does anyone have pictures of what/where the front bushing go/replace. I did installed the rear set and it basic-ly every bushing but the front is a specific few. Yes no?

you must have a piece of paper that came with the bushings. Everything is explained there

[hk20000]

no it doesn't tell you which set of bushing goes where. I know from experience. But they should all match up nicely.

My set has a pair of extras for rear tie rods because I have 4WS.....anyone who is interested in that particular pair PM me.

[peanotation]

the best way to tell where the bushings go is by sizing them up. if it's too big or small, it goes somewhere else. you really can't screw this one up.....

[DJ_Devistatix]

this sounds like an amazing upgrade...im pretty sure my bushings are shot...every time i turn or go over a bump i can hear my back suspension making weird rubbing noises

would it be better to do struts/springs before doing this upgrade....or would it make more sense to just do it all at once (i would imagine)...

ive never worked on suspension before (still trying to learn what does what kinda...but i have a general idea)...would this kind of work be a little out of my league?

[Blue Ice]

i was just looking for this thread, thought it was in the tutorial section (where it should be)

[skrap]

Do everything all at once. Because if you do the bushings first you blow your shocks and if you do the shocks the your bushings will start falling apart. thats what mine did

[peanotation]

Do everything all at once. Because if you do the bushings first you blow your shocks and if you do the shocks the your bushings will start falling apart. thats what mine did

i don't know if that's true. the ride doesn't get rougher, per say, but the energy is more directly transfered into the suspension. the bushings themselves become stronger when you upgrade to prothanes, gets rid of all the slop in your ride.

the only thing that would kill your shocks faster is if you changed out the bushings in the front that are on the lower control arms that your suspenion fork bolts through. i wouldn't recommend doing those, would definitely make your ride rougher

[hk20000]

update: my 4WS system torn the rear trailing arm into pieces....
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v3871/57/77/799549189/n799549189_1625637_6258569.jpg

So if you have a VR4 keep the rear trailing arm bushings stock. That is all.

[RacerX4g64S]

Hey that has happened to me 3 times in 9 months (since installed) on both sides. I also re-welded that point where it snapped for a stronger weld. It snapped below it. I am working on a outer sleeve of 4130 heavy wall tubing and possible of an inner rod. I thought i was the only one this was happening to.

Good Luck if it happened once it will happen again.

[peanotation]

yeah, i cracked the round housing on my driver side trailing arm cause of these. honestly, i'm starting to debate if prothanes are worth it on a daily driver. for race cars, of course, this is required IMO. but IDK if i would put these on my next car, you have to regrease the bushings almost once a year, which requires pretty much doing it all over again.

[hk20000]

I'm using factory bushings for that particular arm, it never broke in the past 16 years it should not break all of a sudden. Also you shouldn't have to regrease polyurethane bushings, you might have mistaken that for pillow bushings with a grease nipple. Even pillow ball bushings with no nipples you wouldn't have to grease them.

[crzejkr]

where can i get em. n how much. i want em now.
lol
hes right too, u upgrade suspension n it makes the car feel much better and acurate to drive. i swapped the rear brakes along with the sway bar, gr-2 shocks and WOW. the sway bar alone was WOW. brakes and handles like a bmw. maybey a e36 or older. but when im done im hoping for 09 benz kinda ride. lmao
ive been trying to get this kit ut together for a while. n more now that i went 5spd. i feel the road and drivetrain more i guse caus it 5spd, n all mechanical.
plus i wanna tighten up some areas.


n what do u guys think about swapping 8g galant tubular arms ?? worth it. if so do it before the energy kit.

[peanotation]

I'm using factory bushings for that particular arm, it never broke in the past 16 years it should not break all of a sudden. Also you shouldn't have to regrease polyurethane bushings, you might have mistaken that for pillow bushings with a grease nipple. Even pillow ball bushings with no nipples you wouldn't have to grease them.

well, i'm regreasing them every year because i'm forced to. i can hear them squeeking and rubbing, and when i take everything apart, they're dry and there's burn marks from everything rubbing without grease. i re-apply a liberal amount of grease to the bushings and the insides of the joints, put everything back together, and in a year's time, give or take, it's all dry again. i hear squeeking and rubbing and i look and they're dry again.

[Dragon-and-his-mitsubishi]

I have them allready a year on my car, and ho squaking or rubbing at all. I love this setup...

[Shadow19]

so should my gf watch out for the damn arms snapping with these in her 2g? Is the energy kit better? LOL.. this kind of ruined my night..................

[peanotation]

the energy kit is a little bit softer than the prothanes; they bridge the gap between prothanes and OEM.

[Spartan251]

I got Prothane mounts and bushings on the way right now. I can't wait for the improved ride.

[hk20000]

So about half a year or so with these on my car now? minimal squealing I don't think it'll get squeeky in half a year.

yeah those trailing arms need factory bushings.

[peanotation]

i don't know what's wrong with me or my car, but they're squeeking to all hell again. i popped off one of the rears on the upper A arm and it's bone dry. i had grease literally dripping out when i put them back on last year....maybe my suspension is too bouncy and they're getting more mileage than normal, idk....i've given up

[hk20000]

hmmmm use some "lowering springs" instead of coilovers maybe?

[hk20000]

So after a year and a half mine started to squeak badly as well, however I have managed to find a can of stuff from WURTH Canada which the local shops swear by. The name of the stuff is HSH2000 or something like that and it works wonders.

I simply stop the car on some ramps, spray everywhere with the wheels steered to one side, and after 10 minutes all is gone!

The spray is a synthetic lubricant that has the capillary characteristics much like WD40 but the spray dries into a grease substance so it will not wear out over a long time...
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/2/5/7/7/4/1/webimg/354066498_tp.jpg
That's what they say anyway I have this stuff for 3 days so far and no sign of the squeak coming back I'll keep you all posted.

[RacerX4g64S]

Are you both using the Super Grease? I have had mine for almost 2 years no squeaks! Yet!

Yes give me a cookie!

[peanotation]

copy that on the supergrease...still goes away after 1-2 years

[DOHCstunr]

i installed mine um 3 years ago i think. I autocross regularly, and drive the ever loving piss out of it at deal's gap 2 to 3 times annually. Haven't had a squeak yet, or a broken trailing arm. I've installed every single bushing in the kit, minus the upper strut mount bushings because I have d2 coilovers with aluminum upper strut mounts.

IDK why everyone keeps breaking theirs. I typically daily drive the car too.

As far as greasing and installing the bushings, I had my girlfriend(at the time) help me. I made sure that she only touched the parts, and I only touched the grease and the bushings. That way my gloves stayed clean (with nothing but grease on them), and her gloves didn't contaminate the grease or the bushings.
I used the red prothanes too.

I would highly advise anyone ordering the kit to get the black graphite impregnated Prothane bushings.

I had the black energy kit on my Black GS. It was ok... but the bushings were a total PITA to install because they were all one piece. They were softer. And the energy kit does not replace nearly as many bushings as the prothane kit does.

ALSO: I just remembered, I cleaned all of the bores with denatured alcohol before installing the new bushings to make sure they were totally clean.

[evil-G-nius]

I have never had an issue with mine either. never been oiled since its been in and no squeaks. Matt....your car is an enigma as usual! LOL

[Shadow19]

Every time i search for prothanes i cant find the black ones.

[DOHCstunr]

Every time i search for prothanes i cant find the black ones.

summit sells them. It will say on the website that the black take like a week longer because thwy drop ship from the manufacturer.

[Shadow19]

gotcha. thanks! Ill order them eventually.

[Spartan251]

Bushings and mounts been on for a little while now. still no squeeks. I was really supprised how many things in and under my dash I had to tighten once i put the motor mounts in. vibrated like crazy at first.
After doing the install every other car i drive just feels sloppy. Prothane is the shit!

[Shadow19]

Does it really make that much of a difference?

[Spartan251]

It was night and day difference in the steering response and cornering. I noticed it as soon as I started to pull out of my warehouse.

Just for fun, go push down on your car right above the wheel. Does it move? mine dosen't not even a little bit. even with my 195 lb ass putting my body weight into it.

The mounts made a big difference as well.

[DOHCstunr]

Does it really make that much of a difference?

It really does man. The soft rubber bushings allow the suspension to deflect.

Dude the deflection effects the angles of the suspension.

Think about how important angles are in architecture. Just a few degrees of change in an angle can make the difference between a roof being able to support thousands of pounds, or only hundreds.

Now think about how just a couple or a fraction of a degree in your alignment can effect how your car handles/responds etc....

every time your suspension deflects your alignment deviates from the angles its designed to maintain.
So not only does this create slop, it creates predictably unpredictable handling.


Installing prothanes essentially converts every suspension joint into a hinge. Allowing the components only to travel in the range of motion they were originally intended to before compromises were made.

Trust me. Your ride quality will not decline. It will improve, and so will your handling and the smile on your face when you drive.

[peanotation]

million dollar question on your guys' prothane motor mount inserts: did you have them pressed in, or did you simply just slap them on?

[Spartan251]

Slap them in just the same as the bushings. Both side mounts have a sleeve that needs to be removed along with the rubber, and the front and rear mounts are just inserts that go around the existing rubber.

[Shadow19]

The roll mounts need some sort of washer type deal to have them stay inside of the mount itself. Mine have popped out twice already. The energy kit looks like comes with the spacers needed.

[peanotation]

yeah see i can't get my front and rear prothane inserts to stay in no matter what, i've even tried putting them in a vice and they just don't fit. 2G prothane inserts with 2G OEM motor mounts.

my car was never meant to see a prothane bushing :(

[makindue]

Nice information about energy suspension. I think I am interested in applying the same thing in installing the energy suspension. :D

[Shadow19]

There is a difference in the energy suspension bushings and prothane bushings. Prothane bushings are stiffer and those are what this thread is about, just to inform you.

[spencer0791]

im having a alot of trouble removing the sleves, they seem to be on pretty good...

[mysticj]

^^^hacksaw

[DOHCstunr]

Yes, hacksaw, or even better, a sawzall with a bimetal bit. I'm sure i've emphasized somewhere within this thread or the forums, but with all the metal shavings, rust and grit involved in replacing your bushings.... its important to take every measure to ensure a everything is clean and lubricated.
Then cleaner things are, the less likely you will have any squeaks down the road.
I'm on about year 5 with the prothanes... not a single squeak, even at my rmdsm sway-bars.
I used denatured alcohol to clean out all of the surfaces(i was afraid acetone would destroy the urethane). I actually had my ex girlfriend apply all of the gorrilla grease to the bushings, the inner sleeves and the bores of the suspension parts while wearing nitrile gloves, and while I held the actually component. That way her gloves wouldn't get dirty, and nothing but clean grease was in the bushings.
No dirt, no grit, no shavings, no rust.

[raks_22]

i what it, feel too much diference?

[raks_22]

i head of a clubdsmmexico member that the energy one get Fked up in 1 year.
recomend the prothane one.

[mko]

not true!!

I had Energy for 5 years and when I pulled them out the other day, they had plenty of life in them.

And please do not recommend parts if you haven't experienced it yourself.

And the word "heard" doesnt sound very much like knowledge.

[Joker96]

Whats the best grease i can use?? Am planing on waxing out the rust and use alcohol to clean up just like DOHC said

[DOHCstunr]

the best grease is the grease they come with. its thick as hell and just plain nasty. Some places sell extra tubs of the energy grease. But prothane and energy pretty much use the same stuff.

As a side note I'd reccomend purchasing the graphite impregnated BLACK prothane or energy bushings. They go the extra mile to help prevent the possibility of squeaking.

As far as wearing out? They should never wear out. Thats kind of the point.

[spencer0791]

okay i had some more questions....
so on this part... do i remove the bracket?? if so do i just put that bushing in?
and if i have to put a diffrent bracket in, my kit didnt come with them.. but idk help..

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/spencer0791/IMAG0051.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d18/spencer0791/IMAG0050.jpg

[Spartan251]

The sleeve has to be pressed out and the new one pressed in, then the bushings go in like all the rest.

Sent from my Eris using Tapatalk

[spencer0791]

That doesn't help. Was my kit supprossed to come with new sleeves?

[Spartan251]

Your kit did. You have to pull the red bushing out of the gold colored sleeve then have them pressed in.

Sent from my Eris using Tapatalk

[spencer0791]

Really? Can't I just put them in or its because they arnt
greased up?

[Spartan251]

The sleeves have to be pressed in, and you don't want to damage the bushing when you press them in. The bushings don't fit in the old sleeves.

Sent from my Eris using Tapatalk

[Joker96]

I just got my kit today but most of them came in a bag so i dont know where those go. I got 3 boxes frnt shock. Rear shck and frt uppr c-arm/lwer so am guessing that all thats in the bag is for the rear

[raks_22]

am, that a little bit problem