[Shotimes] Misc related to subframe bushings

[Ron Porter]

I suspect that once the two pieces corrode together after a couple of years
of Midwest winters, they would probably survive that way for many, many
years. Other than swapping between cars as I did, there really is no reason
to pull them off of the subframe. For things like a clutch job, pulling out
the bolts is sufficient.

I agree on the AL SFBs. If you can tolerate a bit more harshness,
particularly on small bumps and rough roads, the AL SFBs are great! The
sharper steering response is well worth it. You also need to torque then
occasionally. Someone mentioned that they do it at each oil change, which
sounds like a good idea.

Ron Porter 

-----Original Message-----
From: Carl Prochilo [mailto:carl@prochilo.myserver.org] 
Sent: Saturday, May 31, 2003 3:23 PM
To: Ron Porter; Shotimes
Subject: Re: [Shotimes] Misc related to subframe bushings


When the clutch was replaced on my 92, the subframe had to come off.  I've
already posted on the experience getting one of the stuck bolts out, but
while the thing was apart I was able to examine the FPS AL SFBs.  I bought
these from Doug Lewis pretty much around the time he first started selling
them.  They've seen a couple of NY winters and the rest of the time down
here in FL.  These parts look about as good as when I first bought them.  If
you can put up with the harsher ride, these puppies look to last forever.

Carl P.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ron Porter" <ronporter@prodigy.net>
To: "Shotimes" <shotimes@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, May 31, 2003 12:52 PM
Subject: [Shotimes] Misc related to subframe bushings


> Much of this probably falls into the "Duh" file, but anyway...
>
> Had the dubious pleasure of swapping subframe bushings between the two
cars
> last weekend. The aluminum SFBs were in the green '95 that's being sold,
and
> they were swapped with the stock rubber bushings in the blue '94.
>
> The AL SFBs are about a year old, and I got the regular AL (not the
> anodized) from Jomar. More corrosion than I expected (which made removing
a
> couple of them an interesting experience!). I cleaned them up with some
> coarse sandpaper, and slopped them up with grease (better than nothing, I
> guess!), we'll see how they hold up. I would definitely recommend coating
> them, although the Jomar SFBs are quite a tight fit into the subframe and
> into each other, so not sure that painting would be beneficial, and
> powdercoating might be iffy (but could be worth a try).
>
> The '94 had what appeared to be original rubber SFBs. Not in TOO bad a
shape
> (they didn't disintegrate like the original '95 rubber bushings, nor the
> ones on Ryan Staley's '91). Obviously the collars that have those four
> little !#$%^& bolts in the front subframe are toast!! It's been said
before,
> but in a northern climate with snow/slush/salt, I feel that it would be a
> good idea to replace the SFBs every 4-5 years or so on cars that are daily
> drivers. Even putting in new factory rubber SFBs should keep the front end
a
> lot tighter.
>
> Ron Porter
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