In the course of reading threads, I am confused about the handling impact and installation difficulty of replacing the control arm bushings on the 5th Gen. To optimize handling (i.e. Autocross), how significant of an impact is replacing the stock bushings, which type do you recommend, and how big of a project is it?

Any instructions (including pics), prices, and opinions on if it is worthwild are welcome.

Drag Racing is for fast cars, Autocross is for fast drivers.

 

You can get em here:

http://www.suspension.com/nissancars.htm

And there are some good pics here of the install (as well as some opinions on the difficulty of install and after effects):

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....ushing+install

I think one way to tackle this would just be to get new control arms, which aren't that expensive, install the bushings and then just swap the control arms out.

For more info on this, the guys in the auto-x forum know a lot as well and are really helpful:

http://forums.maxima.org/forumdisplay.php?f=50

 

bushings are a nice addition, but they are not a night-and-day difference, especially if you're on stock suspension. They are more of a "tweak" to help eliminate any slop leftover once you've done most of your other suspension work.

Joel's advice above is good though...

 

I am on H&R springs and have installed front/rear strut bars, rear sway bar, -1.5 front camber, race tires. Still on stock shocks, but looking to continue to improve handling. Would front bushings replacement have more of an impact than rear? Why do so many folks replace the bushings if it is a difficult change and not much impact? are there other benefits?

If it's not bushings, what would you recommend for modifications to improve handling? I can't do an Blemco Stage 2 b/c I race in STS class, but am looking into a Stage 1 Blemco and am shying away from shocks b/c of cost.

 

if handlilng is your goal...you NEED to get some better struts. Get some tokico illuminas, which you can dial in the firmness/rebound....I adjust mine constantly depending on course. Stage 1 bar is a nice addition too, and inexpensive. I had a stage 2, but cut it in half to make a stage 1 so I could run STS/STX (depending on what wheels I use)....

Front sway bar bushings are VERY easy to do. Control arm ones are not.....

 

thanks for info.

1. I hear you about the struts, do the Tokico Illuminus run about $400? I will do this at some point. Do you expect your struts to last indefinately or do you have to regularly replace them?
2. I will do the stage 1 bar, I assume that will give me more oversteer? Is Blemco the only company I should look into?
3. I apologize for the ignorance, but I don't understand what you mean by the front sway bar, is this different than the Stage 1? Does replacing the bushings just help reduce the flex of the front sway bar? Sounds like I should do this, but not worry about the control arm bushings, do you agree?

 

1. The illuminas should last several years...I'd say 50K miles at least, if not more. Your stock struts will blow/go dead quickly with aftermarket springs...plus they don't have the dampening rate that you want for autocross...

2. it gives a bit more oversteer, but not nearly as much as the stage 2....it also gives you better steering response. Blehmco is the best (and only) place to get one.

3. I just meant that you can easily replace the BUSHINGS on the OEM front sway bar with some poly ones from energy suspension. They're cheap, make a little difference, and are a 10-minute install with basic toold.

Control arm bushings are nice, but a huge pain to install.....

 

I will follow the three mods below. Any other recommendations?

 

if you're autocrossing, it's all about the tires. Get some Azenis or Hankook R-S2's (what I use) on some lightweight wheels. Wheels should be the smallest you can fit onto the car (in your case, probably a lightweight 16).

Without good tires, all the good suspension work in the world won't help you....

 

thanks for the continued advice. I hear about the Azenis regularly but am not familiar with the Hankook R-32's. where do you get those? I currently have Victoracer 700's and 15" aluminum lightweight wheels.

 

how bout the tie rod bushings that connect to the spindle? and the control arm bushing that connects to the spindle? i used a tie rod puller for both of these when i took it apart, and i kinda ripped the bushing a little and some grease came out. are these now in need of replacement asap?