Subframe Bushings

[SLOSHO89]

My subframe bushings NEED to be replaced. I was hoping to get some input from others on which kind I should go with.

I was looking at the Gen 3 bushings on the SHO nut webpage and it said something about notching the subframe. Has any one installed a set of the Gen 3 bushings in their car? How much notching is required?

Thanks,
Efren

 

[Chris Kauffman]

I would just go aluminum in my personal experience/ opinion. The last set I had made went for $140 on ebay, sho nut sells them, and their is someone doing a group buy right now in the classified forum on this site, Hope my 51 cent helped out, good luck

 

[Bizzy]

I don't have the aluminum ones on my car yet, even though I'm running the group buy. I kicked around the idea of Gen 3's for a while but I drove someones ar with the aluminum SFB's and I liked it, alot. I didn't even feel any additional vibration, but I'm sure each car is different. I may see if the machine shop I'm using will let me take one set of the bushings I'm haveing made up early, so that I can put them on my car the beginning of this week. I've wanted them for a long time.

If you want in on the buy, now that the official page is up, it seems that there is pleny of room. A few ppl said they wanted in, but haven't committed on the signup page, or they just haven't gotten to it yet.

 

[projectSHO89]

To use the Gen III SBFs in a Gen I or II, you either have to modify the SFB or the sub-frame. The Gen III SFB includes a pair of "tabs" that correspond to a "notch" in the Gen III subframe to ensure accurate alignment and to prevent any possibility of rotation once installed.

When installing the new style bushing on the old style sub-frame, you either have to grind off the "tab" from the SFB, or cut a notch into the sub-frame to accomodate the tab.

The cost of a complete set of Gen III SFBs is around $70-75 and they will eventually wear out and require replacement again. The aluminum SFBs will never wear out, but will cost a bit more upfront. Had there been a GB for $95 at the time, I would have gone with the aluminum, myself.

Steve

<small>[ April 14, 2003, 08:17 AM: Message edited by: projectSHO89 ]</small>

 

[68style]

I just had aluminum ones installed on my car today.

I notice no significant road noise increase, the car thuds a little more solidly (I'm tempted to use the word harshly but I think solid is a better word because it doesn't feel bad, which the word harsh insinuates) over larger bumps in the road.

The car feels more solid turning, quicker response if you sit there and jiggle the steering wheel back and forth you don't get that rubbery bouncy effect. The frontend just seems a lot tighter in general. Very effective modification in my opinion.

Also, keep in mind my car only has 40k on it so it was pretty solid to start with, yours might be pretty soft riding right now with worn out bushings and feel a lot sloppier than mine did so you'll notice an even more pronounced change

 

[Doug Waschenko]

I just installed the GEN III bushings on my 92, and it's a piece of cake. The knotch is very minor and you could do it with a small rat taled file if you done't have a Dremel or other rotary tool.
If you go with solid aluminum you will give a lot of ride comfort away unnecessarily.
Try the Gen III's you'll like them.

 

[68style]

Doug Waschenko:
I just installed the GEN III bushings on my 92, and it's a piece of cake. The knotch is very minor and you could do it with a small rat taled file if you done't have a Dremel or other rotary tool.
If you go with solid aluminum you will give a lot of ride comfort away unnecessarily.
Try the Gen III's you'll like them.

Do you have experience with aluminum ones??

Like I said above, I noticed absolutely no loss of ride comfort with the aluminums and I just got the put on Monday morning so it's pretty fresh in my mind the car before them and after them.

The only thing I noticed driving longer on them (got on the highway) was a little bit more road noise, not vibration or bumpiness, just cockpit "hum" I guess you could say.

 

[SHOZ123]

I have aluminum bushings in my Gen 3. When I replaced the fronts there was no vibration or noise experienced. But when I replaced the rear there was with no difference in performance.

 

[Bizzy]

I liked hoiw much the Aluminum SFB's felt/rode that I plunked down my own cash in advance to run a group buy. Nuff said.

 

[I'llshoU]

Which is cheaper? Aluminum or gen III?

 

[Bizzy]

Aluminum SFB's as part of the group buy $95 shipped

Gen III rears all four - $89.07 to $98.30 shipped

Prices for the GenIII's are from shonut's site and local ford parts dealer here near me.

Before I decided that I wanted Al SFB's for my car I checked into the price of both options, then decided to offer up the GB so that I could get my own AL SFB's at something affordable to myself. Join the GB you'll be happy you did

Update - I have these in my hands right now. Shipping out right away.

<small>[ April 16, 2003, 05:11 PM: Message edited by: netviper ]</small>

 

[SHObill]

netviper-are there spots left in the GB? AND is it possible to get me a set with the ring 3/8" inch shorter & 3/8"inch removed from the seat of the 'insert? I can then make up some 1/4"inch firm rubber 'washers' to sandwich the subframe & also raise the suframe a bit which will lower the frt end a bit! I'm sorry but I still do not like the idea of having NO insulating material between me & the subframe!