Anyone out there have any instructions on how to install the Energy Suspension FSB bushings? My Haynes manual hasn't arrived yet and I think the bushings will get here today so I might give it a shot after work....

 

Its simple. Jack car, support car, remove tires, remove nut for the endlink bushings, remove the bolts holding the bar. Clean dirt off the bar. Grease the s*** out of the bushing and the bar. Make sure to use either the grease that came with the bushings or water proof trailer grease (can get it at any marine supply). This is important to prevent squeeking. Put everything back together....enjoy.

 

Let us know how the install goes and if you can tell the difference with the new bushings. I know the stock SE's bushings are better (stiffer) than the GLE's, so I'm interested in your assessment if it is worth the effort!

thanks!

 

Have replaced the end link and sway bar bushing on my max (is a GLE) what a diff. I have done this to every car I have owned. They made an improvement in every case.

 

Thanks! I'm still curious what difference it makes from a stock SE.

 

Thats cool....can't say for sure but think that there would be an inprovment since I saw an inprovement in my old Z cars (280zx, 300zx) both of which have a stiffer suspension than the Max's do. I will say that the difference will be more noticable if you have a stock suspension. (ie you have not lowered the car)

If you are thinking about it the cost is min. I got both the endlink and swaybar bushing for about 20 bucks. I recommend getting them from suspension.com. They have great prices and good cust service.

 

But I didn't see that they had the end link bushing available. I'll have to take another look at their site after I install the FSB bushings tonight.

 

What is the benefit? Is it simply stiffer because it's poly vs. rubber? I have a lowered car and stiff suspension, will it be beneficial but not noticeable. I could care less if it's noticable, butif it's better, I would consider it.

 

but my car feels a little sloppy at high speeds and I'm wondering if the sway bar bushings are a little worn. My car has 63K miles on it, and I figured for the $12 total (cost of bushings + shipping) it was worth the upgrade.

 

Make sure that you install the new bar bushings with the cut towards the front; if you don't they will tear on you.

 

I got all-purpose Addco endlink bushings from Autozone for $7.99. They are a little thick and need to be cut, but I got em on there, and I could feel the difference.

 

I had read somewhere that 5spd Max SE's have polyurethane bushings in its suspension already. Don't know if this includes the FSB bushings. Can anyone who's taken a look at there SE confirm? If so, it's doubtful that the ES bushings would make a difference.

 

I had the same question and was wondering if anyone with an SE had replaced the bushings and noticed an improvement.

 

Itchy....what is your take on the new bushings? Are they better than stock SE bushings? Any sqeaking?

 

Initial impressions are that they've "tightened" up the steering in my car noticeably. My car used to feel a little "loose" at highway speeds in that the steering felt a little loose when it was on center. With the new bushings, the initial steering response feels sharper. I am not experiencing any squeaking noises (I greased the insides of the bushing using the grease that came with them).
Installation as a piece of cake:
1. Jack the car and support it with stands.
2. Remove the wheels (make sure that the wheels are straight).
3. Use a 14mm socket to remove the two bolts on each side that hold the bushing in place. Make sure that you remove the bracket from both sides before you try to remove the bushing.
4. Use your floor jack to raise the lower control arm up a bit... this makes removal and re-installation of the bushing alot easier.
5. Remove the old sloppy rubber bushing, wipe off the bar, install the new bushing.
6. Put the bracket back over the bushing. Get the 14mm bolts started a bit and begin tightening the bracket... lower the floor jack every few turns of your ratchet and everything will come together nicely.
The whole job took me 45 minutes and it was definately worth it!

 

Cool! Sounds easy and definitely worth it. I like cheap improvements like this! Thanks for the update and answering ALL my questions...nice to know it makes a difference on the SE model.