Let's talk about Bushings

[Bu11dogg2]

The bushings that come on your car are intended to handle stock power levels and normal to moderate driving conditions.

When you increas the power to your car you should definitely look into changing up your bushings.

Some bushings actually improve perfromance. BUT most just improve feel.

One term you will hear thrown around is NVH = Noise, Vibration and Harshness.

Some bushings either increase NVH or decrease NVH. Confused yet?

Keep reading.

Part 1: Shifter Bushings


One of the easiest and most effective bushing upgrades are the Shifter Bushings.

Shifter bushings are usually done along with a Short Throw Shifter.
Shifter Bushings are used to make the connection between the shifter and the transmission less clunky.

Pictured below is the STi 6 speed. Your 5 speed shifter bushings look identical
http://www.newenglandsubarus.com/forums/images/bu11dogg2/shifter.jpg

The stock bushing is one peice and a POS :lol:

http://www.newenglandsubarus.com/forums/images/bu11dogg2/shifter2.jpg

After market ones are usually urethane and 2 peice

http://www.importimageracing.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/TS-SU-005-2T.jpg

Install time is generally 30 minutes to an hour. Having small hands and a lot patience helps :lol:

The will INCREASE Noise and Vibration but DECREASE harshness and sloppyness :)

They make shifting much more fluid.

[Bu11dogg2]

Part 2: Transmission Mount


Once you upgrade your clutch you may notice an increase in shutter.

Shutter happens when you install a clutch plate that is stickier than the stock. When you engage the clutch it will grip harder and faster to the flywheel. With the stock clutch you get less grip and more slip and the slip will absorb a lot of power transfer as it is tranferred to your driveline. (making it a smooth power transfer)When you decrease the slip the power is transferred faster causing the the clutch plate to engage the flywheel quickly. This will put the transmission under stress. Instead of the power going directly to the wheels smoothly and progressively, it spreads over the drivline quickly, causing the transmission to move on its bushing.

It usually sounds like something is hitting the underside of the car.

An aftermarket trasnmission mount will solve this :)

Stock (not much rubber in there huh?)

http://www.newenglandsubarus.com/forums/images/bu11dogg2/tranny1.jpg

Aftermarket (lots o rubber)

http://www.newenglandsubarus.com/forums/images/bu11dogg2/tranny2.jpg


This will INCREASE Noise and Vibration but DECREASE Harshness (shutter)

To install you will need 2 jacks and 2 jack stands.

Jack the car, put it on the stands, lightly jack the tranny, remove the 2 bolts, jack a lil more, slide out, replace.

This will take .5-2 hours depending on experience.

[Bu11dogg2]

Part 3: Pitch Stop a.k.a DOG BONE!

Similar to the Transmission your Engine sits on rubber bushings.

When you press the go pedal the engine moves on the bushings as the power is transfered to the transmission/driveline.

The pitch stop is used to reduce the forward and backward pitch of the motor. Like all the other bushings it's not great stock :(

both the stock and the STi (shown below) look similar. The STi pitch stop is stronger than the WRX, but aftermarket is stronger than both.

Stock STi
http://www.newenglandsubarus.com/forums/images/bu11dogg2/pitch1.jpg

aftermarket billet aluminum

http://www.importimageracing.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/80b3ff5c-07f2-416a-893c-d931354c6daf-420.jpg

Pitch Stops INCREASE Noise and Vibration but DECREASE Harshness

[Bu11dogg2]

Written by DHGurs

Part 4: Steering rack bushings


One of the most necessary upgrades to any modified Subaru is steering rack bushings. The stock rubber ones are not adequate for a performance car, and makes many compromises. This inadequacy is very evident when pushing the car in a turn or in a slalom.

In a bone stock car, while on a steady sweeping turn, you will feel the need to re-adjust the steering wheel a few times, and it almost seems to be fighting you. That is the suspension travel fighting the stock steering bushings and cutting away much of the feedback that is so necessary for a performance car. It is also evident in a slalom situation, (the more upgrades, the more noticeable). You will feel a hesitation as the bushings squish around and going from one direction to the next has a slight delay.

Whiteline (and other companies, Powerflex and AVO) have a kit that will replaces one of the rubber bushings with a large poly and the other two with a poly bushing with a metal center. (Although the same amount of metal as stock, allowing you to stay in Street Prepared)*

It takes about 30-45 minutes to install with a lift. Worth noting is you should mark the splines on your steering rack, so you know where the steering wheel's 12 o'clock is.

Here are install directions:

http://www.tougetuning.com/installation/KSR206.pdf

Can't find pics of stock ones, but they are very squishy, I have them sitting in storage somewhere and I can attest to that.

Aftermarket (whiteline) Kit:



There is almost no increase in NVH, I would say possibly a 5% increase if that. There is a slight extra hum, as some of the tire/road NVH is now not absorbed through those squishy bushings. The amount of increase in steering response is more than worth it.

- Be able to make more minute adjustments in mid turn
- Quicker turn-in
- More weighted steering feel
- Increased road feedback

I recommend this for everyone that cars about handling. After sways, this should be the next mod.

-DHGurs


*I have experience with the 08+ WRX/STi bushings, the GC and GDs appear to be fairly similar, although they just have one bushing to replace on each side.

[Bu11dogg2]

reserved3

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[Bu11dogg2]

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[Demetry]

reserved8?

[DHGurs]

Nice Randy! Most needed upgrade to our cars besides sways.

Everyone needs at least steering Rack, shifter, subframe, and rear diff bushings IMO.

[Bu11dogg2]

Rear diff is next ;)

[Bu11dogg2]

Nice Randy! Most needed upgrade to our cars besides sways.

Everyone needs at least steering Rack, shifter, subframe, and rear diff bushings IMO.


wanna write up the steering rack, subframe and rear diff for me please? pretty please ?? :lol:

[DHGurs]

wanna write up the steering rack, subframe and rear diff for me please? pretty please ?? :lol:

Mayyybe, I'll see what I can dig up. Upgraded shifter stay should be in the shifter bushing chunk too.

[civic si hb]

Nice.... this will be perfect once completed and very helpful :)

[hiprsha666]

Very cool, I need to do these things in the future.

[Bu11dogg2]

I'll keep working on it.

ANY HELP is greatly appreciated!

[Berge56]

I think I have some pics of the rear diff bushing install....

[DHGurs]

Part 4: Steering rack bushings


One of the most necessary upgrades to any modified Subaru is steering rack bushings. The stock rubber ones are not adequate for a performance car, and makes many compromises. This inadequacy is very evident when pushing the car in a turn or in a slalom.

In a bone stock car, while on a steady sweeping turn, you will feel the need to re-adjust the steering wheel a few times, and it almost seems to be fighting you. That is the suspension travel fighting the stock steering bushings and cutting away much of the feedback that is so necessary for a performance car. It is also evident in a slalom situation, (the more upgrades, the more noticeable). You will feel a hesitation as the bushings squish around and going from one direction to the next has a slight delay.

Whiteline (and other companies, Powerflex and AVO) have a kit that will replaces one of the rubber bushings with a large poly and the other two with a poly bushing with a metal center. (Although the same amount of metal as stock, allowing you to stay in Street Prepared)*

It takes about 30-45 minutes to install with a lift. Worth noting is you should mark the splines on your steering rack, so you know where the steering wheel's 12 o'clock is.

Here are install directions:

http://www.tougetuning.com/installation/KSR206.pdf

Can't find pics of stock ones, but they are very squishy, I have them sitting in storage somewhere and I can attest to that.

Aftermarket (whiteline) Kit:

http://www.globalperformanceparts.com/thumb.php?id=575&width=500&height=500

There is almost no increase in NVH, I would say possibly a 5% increase if that. There is a slight extra hum, as some of the tire/road NVH is now not absorbed through those squishy bushings. The amount of increase in steering response is more than worth it.

- Be able to make more minute adjustments in mid turn
- Quicker turn-in
- More weighted steering feel
- Increased road feedback

I recommend this for everyone that cars about handling. After sways, this should be the next mod.

-DHGurs


*I have experience with the 08+ WRX/STi bushings, the GC and GDs appear to be fairly similar, although they just have one bushing to replace on each side.

Pic of Gaddis' install with rack removed:

http://i307.photobucket.com/albums/nn281/seraphinwolf/Lilly%20AKA%20Project%20SixGun/56dd76c9.jpg

[98Wagoon]

gary I love it when you tell me about bush....ings...

[apkarian100]

:lol:gary I love it when you tell me about bush....ings...

[hiprsha666]

gary I love it when you tell me about bush....ings...

The email notifications I keep getting cut the thread title off after 'bush'. So the title reads 'Let's talk about Bush' :rofl:

[Verwilderd]

What about cross member bushings?

[Seraphinwolf]

Driveshaft pivot bushings.
Control arm bushings
Subframe bushings
Trailing arm bushings

I guess if you added pitch stop mount you can add others.
ALK mounts etc etc.

[Seraphinwolf]

Forgot strut tophats or camber/caster plates. :)

[MJS]

this is such a helpful thread!
i look forward for more information!

[Verwilderd]

this is such a helpful thread!
i look forward for more information!

+1! It's nice to find a place where you can see what each bushing does....many times those descriptions on websites really don't give much helpful info....and of course they always make it seem like it you must have it or your car will not work properly.

[ZS89]

keeping an eye on this im sure this will be a very helpful guide :munch:

[Bu11dogg2]

what other bushings should I add?

[yaya]

More rear end bushings! Everyone focuses on the front these days, but keeping the rear in compliance can do a lot to help.

[Berge56]

Transmission mount how to install:

http://www.newenglandsubarus.com/forums/showthread.php?p=378167#post378167

02-07 WRX/STi Steering rack bushing install:

http://www.newenglandsubarus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16174

Working on rear diff how to.

[DHGurs]

I'll try to find some pics of the rear subframe bushing upgrade, which is a huge difference for the 08+ Impreza and 10+ Legacy. I know there are rear subframe bolts on the GC/GD, I am not familiar with those though.

[Berge56]

I did the rear subframe bolts and outrigger bushings.... if I can get time write ups will be coming for those too.

[yaya]

I know the GD has the following in the rear:

Rear Diff Outrigger Bushings
Rear Diff Mount Bushings
Subframe Lock Bolts
Trailing Arm Rear Bushings (the forward bushing is part of the arm, must upgrade arm to change that bushing)
Lateral Link Bushings

Up front these is also:
Front Lower Control Arm Bushing
Anti-Lift Kits (hurricane bushings)