Dogbone bushings - urethane

[JoeB]

Well I hesitated posting this info since I haven't tried it yet but since several people have already PM'd me for information about these bushings, I'll post it for all with a qualification. Like I said in the other post, there are potential adverse side effects to putting these urethane bushings on the dogbone. It could be too firm sending engine vibrations into the driver's compartment making things rattle that never did before, it could cause other engine mounts to fail prematurely and for people with the supercharger, the dogbone mounts right up to one of the idler pullies and could transfer vibration causing belt slippage.

Now that the disclaimer is out, I am definitely going to give this a try. I have bushings on the way from Energy Suspension. I love the polyurethane they use. It is soft enough to absorb vibration yet firm enough to add significant support. The down side is we'll have to wait a bit until they can get them in the product listing for general availability.

In the mean time, Superpro also makes pulyurethane bushings. Not just for the dogbone, also the control arm, steering rack and trailing arm. Superpro is based in Australia and the North American distributer is http://www.globalperformanceparts.com/. The bushings for the dogbone look very nice, they even include the metal collars for the center. I'll be happy to post my impressions and comments once I get them and try them out. Keep in mind, like always, it's YOUR decision and I tried to warn you of any risks. I'm just trying to share info. Please don't get mad at me if they don't fit right or you don't like them for any reason. Personally, I can't wait to get them and they are only $27.68! Here's a pic: -JoeB

[CASTRO]

just ordered my set IF this all goes well ill think about getting the rest for the suspension, it should make the car feel a bit more lively. Thanks for the help Joe!

[SC V6]

hmmm.. keep me posted...

[Paladin06Greg]

Thanks again, order complete. Now where is my torque rod??

PS - How about a short DIY for the Dog Bone??

Thx

[StockSolara]

sick sick. . . keep us posted. . .

[CASTRO]

Thanks again, order complete. Now where is my torque rod??

PS - How about a short DIY for the Dog Bone??

Thx

ill try and make a DIY for the dog bone mount. Im kinda worried as it looks to be hard urathane and might need to be pressed in by a shop. Heop to get it soon! if its good quality/fitment ill think about getting the other chunks for the arms etc.

[Paladin06Greg]

I hear you!!

Thanks again, order complete. Now where is my torque rod??

PS - How about a short DIY for the Dog Bone??

Thx

ill try and make a DIY for the dog bone mount. Im kinda worried as it looks to be hard urathane and might need to be pressed in by a shop. Heop to get it soon! if its good quality/fitment ill think about getting the other chunks for the arms etc.

[StockSolara]

So any feedbacks yet on the results with this?

[CASTRO]

strangly.... my order status on the site says that it is pending... ??? JoeB, you get your yet? The company has allready taken out the cash from my account but no tracking number and no product. hope its just a delay and nothing shadey is going on

[JoeB]

strangly.... my order status on the site says that it is pending... ??? JoeB, you get your yet? The company has allready taken out the cash from my account but no tracking number and no product. hope its just a delay and nothing shadey is going on

Please don't get too excited. When the order was placed, the parts weren't in stock in the US. They had to be shipped from Australia. I knew that when I ordered it. Then it has to be turned around once it reaches the distributor. Just give it some time. I'll check with Glenn, see where we are and post later today.

In the mean time, my dogbone bushings from Energy Suspension came in! My car is in the shop getting the D2 coilovers installed so I can't put them on until Saturday but I'll give you my impression this weekend when I get them in there. When the Superpro bushings come in, I'll take out the Energy Suspension bushings and test out the Superpros just to let you guys know what I think of them but most likely, I will be going back to the Energy Suspension bushings. -JoeB

[CASTRO]

^
whoops, i get a little too excited waiting for parts. Well, I guess all I can do is wait it out now. btw, Joe, did you have to get the bushings pressed in by a shop or did the engergy suspension bushings just pop right in? I know that the superpro bushings included the inner metal joint.

[JoeB]

^
whoops, i get a little too excited waiting for parts. Well, I guess all I can do is wait it out now. btw, Joe, did you have to get the bushings pressed in by a shop or did the engergy suspension bushings just pop right in? I know that the superpro bushings included the inner metal joint.

LOL, you need to re-read my previous post. BTW, I spoke to Glenn from the place we ordered the bushings. I should have a better idea tomorrow as to when they'll be in but the problem is, when we ordered the bushings, the Superpro guys were at a very big trade show in Australia (out for 1 week). So they didn't get the order right away and when they got back this Monday, they had orders that were backed up from last week. He's going to check on the status tonight and let me know. These guys aren't a fly-by-night outfit and they will deliver, we just need to be patient. If this was a high volume item, I'm sure we wouldn't have this issue. -JoeB

[JoeB]

I just got a message from Glenn at Global Performance Parts. He just got off the phone with the factory in Australia and the parts were sent out today. Should take about 7-10 days to arrive and clear customs then he will send them out to us as soon as he gets them. -JoeB

[JoeB]

GOT DOGBONE BUSHINGS! (from Energy Suspension not Superpro)

I don't know if everyone else's is this bad but with the stock rubber bushings in there, my engine looked like it wanted to jump out of the engine compartment when I hit the throttle. Jim's torque rod helped but then I noticed I was getting considerable movement in the dogbone. While waiting for the Superpro bushings to come in, I got the prototype dogbone bushings from Energy Suspension! I cannot believe what a difference it makes! I love the urethane that ES uses also, it isn't solid as a rock, still has a little give so it soaks up the vibrations yet provides much firmer control.

Energy Suspension really thought this one through and made it easier for the installer. The bushing comes split in half so you don't have to have it pressed in (see pic below). For those that asked about the install, is it easy, how is it done... HECK NO it isn't easy! Getting the dogbone out is very easy. Putting it back in with the sc is a little trickier getting the bolts to line up. Notice the way the bolt that holds the dogbone to the belt guard is at a little angle? Well that angle is easier managed with that extremely thin, pliable rubber bushing. The stock bushing is SO WEAK, I could move it around with my fingers! Removal and installation are normal stuff though. The real pain comes in getting the stock bushings removed from the dogbone without tearing it up! My shop used all kind of tricks to get it out, I couldn't have gotten it out of there. Anyone know any tricks, please post for others cause....

THESE ARE AWESOME!!!!
Engine is VERY stable and torque goes straight to the wheels!
For the bad news, they probably won't be available for a little while until they can productize them. I'll try to get an idea of when. In the mean time, Superpro bushings are available and you can take advantage of my beta test. -JoeB

[SC V6]

ooo ooo I want I want... when do u think everyone will be able to get these?