[JETmn]

I wanted to document my suspension refresh for everyone so they can have an idea of what might be wrong as their cars start getting up there in mileage. I noticed the handling of my car really heading downhill starting at around 85k miles. It is pretty soft handling and not planted like it used to be. I have done quite a bit of research and I think I have a pretty good game plan to step the handling up a few notches, but keep it a nice daily driver.

Game plan:
Strongflex tension rod bushings (Done - large improvement)
YCW coil overs (camber plates and adjustable sway bar links included)
UUC front and rear sway bars
Whiteline rear subframe bushings
Monroe rear upper shock mounts
Trailing arm bushings in the rear (new OEM)
New fluids in both diffs (Redline), tranny (auto) and T-case (OEM)
New T-case mount with some window weld in it to firm it up some

I am going to be replacing other components that are showing wear, but most of the components are holding up better than I expected. Both of my front wheels were slightly bent for quite a while, so my wear should be worse than normal.

Things I found bad to replace:
Drivers side front lower control arm may have some play in it, going to check further

Things to look in to:
I have a bit of a hum up front, I am going to check out the wheel bearings.
Front drivers side axle may have a little play in it, need to check in to it. Boots good on both sides.

Things still in good shape:
Tension arm ball joints both still feel like new. Very smooth with some resistance. I was pretty shocked.
Tie rods did not seem to have any play in them, I need to unhook them and see how easily they move.
All rear bushings were in surprisingly good shape (minus RSFB). I will probably leave them unless I have issues after finishing everything else.

[JETmn]

Progress:

Strongflex yellow tension bushings-

I installed the yellow Strongflex tension bushings. They took about 10 days to get here. The old tension bushings did not look too bad, but there were a few small cracks starting in the rubber. The bushings have a lot of voids in them. These are pretty straight forward to replace (I have a press). Taking the arms out is very easy. The press portion is not hard, but you need to have the right sized inserts. 3" exhaust pipe is the perfect size to go outside the bushing and will be used a lot. I had a 6" piece of stainless laying around that worked perfect. I couldn't find anything perfect sized for the inside. A piece of 2.5" exhaust pipe pushed out the rubber portion, but left the thin metal sleeve around the bushing. I used a sawzall and cut a slit in the sleeve, then you can tap it out with a hammer. It worked great. It was probably 2 hours to do the first bushing and 45 minutes for the 2nd one. An impact is basically required to get the ball joint nut back on, it spins with hand tools.

These made a DRASTIC difference in the handling. It took away the vast majority of the vague front end feel I was having. The old tension bushings were definitely getting soft. The rest of the suspension is still stock and I did notice a definite increase in NVH, especially hitting bumps. It isn't horrible, but noticeable. If you have a weekend warrior I would do the yellow, if your car is a daily I would recommend going with the slightly softer red version. Major improvement in change of direction and front end feel, highly recommended as the first upgrade.

Whiteline rear subframe bushings up next! Rear UUC bar may go in at the same time. I am trying to do these 1 step at a time, but I don't want to drop the subframe twice.

[JETmn]

Reserved

[Bours]

Very interesting subbed !

[JETmn]

Just received my YCW coil overs last night, boy are they sexy! I will try to get some pics up. Springs are still on the way, so they aren't assembled yet though. Added bonus that they come with sealed from sway bar links. They look exactly like Whiteline links, but are coated clear instead of gold.

I wasn't able to get my subframe bushings and sway bar installed last weekend so now I have to make a choice on what to do. This weekend is booked so it will probably be 2 weeks before I get to work on the car again. Now I have to decide between putting the coils on or doing the rear subframe and sway bar.

[Bours]

Originally Posted by JETmn

Just received my YCW coil overs last night, boy are they sexy! I will try to get some pics up. Springs are still on the way, so they aren't assembled yet though. Added bonus that they come with sealed from sway bar links. They look exactly like Whiteline links, but are coated clear instead of gold.

I wasn't able to get my subframe bushings and sway bar installed last weekend so now I have to make a choice on what to do. This weekend is booked so it will probably be 2 weeks before I get to work on the car again. Now I have to decide between putting the coils on or doing the rear subframe and sway bar.

You should do rear subframe and sway bar before coils to see if handling improved ! That would be interesting to know ! Look my thread on kw v1 oh boy its another world now !!!

[JETmn]

Originally Posted by Bours

You should do rear subframe and sway bar before coils to see if handling improved ! That would be interesting to know ! Look my thread on kw v1 oh boy its another world now !!!

Yeah, going to do RSFB and rear sway first, for science! I will do coil overs the weekend after.

[Bours]

Originally Posted by JETmn

Yeah, going to do RSFB and rear sway first, for science! I will do coil overs the weekend after.

Nice ! Keep us posted !

[Boland01]

Thanks!

[Bours]

Update ?

[Lamumba]

I'm also interested in update

[JETmn]

My grandma died last weekend so I was out of town. I think I am probably 3 weeks out from being able to work on it now, unfortunately.

[Bours]

Originally Posted by JETmn

My grandma died last weekend so I was out of town. I think I am probably 3 weeks out from being able to work on it now, unfortunately.

Oh sorry for your loss take care bud

[JETmn]

Ok, it looks like I will get to work on my car this weekend. My vibration is getting worse and I am pretty positive it is in the drivetrain. I have a new guibo, driveshaft end bushing, carrier bearing assembly and dampers on the way. If that doesn't fix it I am pretty much down to either driveshaft or CV axles. I had my wheels straightened (very slight bends on 3) and double checked by an independent shop who said they were perfect.

I am also planning to do the RSFB and rear swaybar at the same time. Hopefully I come out of this weekend with a better handling car with no vibration!

[Bours]

Originally Posted by JETmn

Ok, it looks like I will get to work on my car this weekend. My vibration is getting worse and I am pretty positive it is in the drivetrain. I have a new guibo, driveshaft end bushing, carrier bearing assembly and dampers on the way. If that doesn't fix it I am pretty much down to either driveshaft or CV axles. I had my wheels straightened (very slight bends on 3) and double checked by an independent shop who said they were perfect.

I am also planning to do the RSFB and rear swaybar at the same time. Hopefully I come out of this weekend with a better handling car with no vibration!

Keep us posted ! I also have vibration in left rear wheel
Indy shop did my wheel bearing but i suspect some play in the cv axle

[jeremyE92]

Any more updates?

[JETmn]

Car is under the knife right now (up on jack stands). My back started acting up last weekend so I didn't get it done. Hoping to get it done this weekend. Doing the RSFB, rear swaybar, driveshaft carrier bearing, DP and trans fluid/pan change. Trying not to do the rear coil overs, but it is going to be tempting with everything else out already.

Looking at the carrier bearing it looks to be in fine shape. They paint it (even the rubber) so it may look cracked but it might be just the paint chipping off. Mine appears to be good, but that doesn't mean the durometer of the rubber is still correct. Also, changing the centering bushing is a PITA as there is no good way to get it out. I would not change it if I did it again.

[JETmn]

I was hoping to finish my car this weekend, but I ran in to an issue with the bushing puller I bought from ebay. It said it was for E90 subframe, but it must be for the diff bushings and not the subframe bushings. It was way too small. I have a new universal kit on order that should work.

I got the rear subframe off and I was shocked to see the center aluminum piece of the RSFB turned to powder! The car was in minnesota originally so it saw salt for several years, but I was shocked as there must have been 1/8 on each side that was turned to powder. Bushings are a must if you are in the rust belt! I have a big project going on now, so I am not sure when I can get to the car again. I hate driving the beater, so I might try to get it thrown together soon still.

[JETmn]

I was able to spend some time on the car last weekend again, finally. Front RSFB are in. Man the bushings on the rear swaybar are going to be a pain! It didn't even look like they were split, but they are and extremely stiff. I don't think it is going to be easy to get them on the bar. Of course I already have it in place in the car. Get the bar on and I can do the rear RSFB, hopefully go as easy as the fronts.

I took some of the arms off the rear suspension to get the sway bar on and I was pretty amazed at how good the bushings felt! I am going to dig around some more, hopefully tonight or tomorrow, and see if I see anything worn.

[mslam02]

Looking forward to hearing the results! I've been thinking about doing mine this winter, same miles as you on my xi!

[JETmn]

I spent a few more hours yesterday on it. I got the rear sway bar bushings on, I put a socket inside the opening to split the bushing, then with some finesse I could get them on. I dove in to the rear bushings more and I really don't think any need to be replaced. If anyone else does the rear bar, when you go to put the suspension arms back on, put the lower front ones on first, then upper, then the sway bar. I had to rip mine back apart as I couldn't get to the bolt for the front lower. Lesson learned.

I just have about 45 minutes of reassembly on the rear and that is done with Whiteline RSFB and UUC rear sway. I will be finishing that tonight and also doing the carrier bearing. Again it didn't look too bad, but I already bought one and everything is out of the way. Tranny fluid change Sat, along with both diffs and t-case. Then reassemble and install my new subwoofer and amp on Sunday. I am looking forward to driving it again as it has been down far too long!

[ucdbiendog]

Very curious to hear about your vibration. I am starting to have a vibration as well, and i am suspecting the guibo or center carrier. did you ever get yours in?