How To: Poly Rear Droplink Bushings (Pics)

[n2x4]

I've got a '90 FWD L, so anyone with the old style rear droplinks (before the cars got those fancy C style links) can use this mod. I just got back from testing them out, and it does seem to help keep the backend tighter in corners. I noticed less tire squeal. I can't say they helped as much as the front endlinks do (I got the whiteline links for the front) but for the price, you can't beat it.

I got some Addco endlink bushings off ebay for like 10 bucks. The Summit website has them for about the same price, so you could get them there too. Any size will work, because all the bushings are the same size. Another nice thing too is the kit provides enough bushings to do 2 cars, or the same car twice incase you screw up This is the 5" kit I got with the old bushings beside it:



Out of the box, they're a bit too tall, so you have to shave the one end down some. The other end that goes in the cups fits perfectly. I just used my sanding bit for my dremel and got them done in a hurry (you can see the poly dust all over my hands, I was covered in it):



Here's a comparison between the old and new bushing (sorry it's blurry):



To get the old link out, you'll need one 14mm wrench, and a 12mm wrench and 12mm socket. Unbolt the 14mm nut and then the 12mm bolt at the top remove it and take a jack to lift up the swaybay until you can get the endlink out. Replace the bushings the same way you took out the old ones, and tighten all back together. I wasn't sure how tight to make the 14mm nut, because the poly bushing kept compressing and I didn't want to hurt it. I may tighten it some more after a few miles but I don't know how far I should take it.

That's it. The project cost me 10 bucks, and only took 40 minutes. Definately a good cheap improvement. Next I want to fix the rear swaybar end bushings. Hope someone can use this!

[IronMonkeyL255]

This is awesome.

I'm gonna go to the parts store within the week and see if I can't find something similar to do mine with.

I also need to find a replacement for the top bushings, as they are dead and cracking.

[scottzg]

i did the same thing with accord droplink bushings from energy suspension from pep boys. I used the stock metal parts of the droplink.

i think it cost me 8$?

[AWD_addict]

That's cool.

My old bushings are crumbling, so I'll try something like this too.

[n2x4]

For replacing the swaybar bushing that goes inside the bar I just purchased new rubber bushings from subaru. They weren't too expensive. There is a price difference of like a dollar for the FWD and AWD top bushings. The physical difference between the two top bushings is that the FWD bushing has a smaller center sleeve/shim than the AWD one does. I bought AWD bushings and I had to trim down the sleeve so it fit in my FWD car. Definately helped though.