I am refurbing my rear subframe, I haven't decided whether to paint or powdercoat it yet but a few questions have come to mind.

The subframe has four rubber bushes in it where it locates onto the chassis.

Should these bushes be replaced?
Are they likely to have worn very much?
If I leave them in is it OK to powdercoat around them with masking them off?
Are there any options for replacement/how difficult is that going to be?

Cheers

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GT4DC Events Co-ordinator
1996 ST205 UK

If the rubber looks OK and hasn't perished or otherwise deteriorated I'd probably leave the bushes in place. I did get replacements from TTE years ago but I think they are quite difficult to remove and fit. I let JEMS wear the pain on that!

I note that Robs appears to have fitted aftermarket red polybushes to his subframe but I would expect the increase in NVH may make the car difficult to live with particcularly if you use it as a daily driver.

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Don
GT4DC Chairman
1994 Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205WRC JDM 269bhp @ 0.9bar
1994 Toyota Celica GT-Four Special GT 590bhp @ 1.8bar
1989 Van Diemen RF88/89 Formula Ford 1600
2008 Nissan Patrol GU 3.0L ZD30DDTi 154bhp

my 4 x rear subframe bushings were rusted,
as were the 2 x diff carrier..

all pics of refurb here http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d38/s ... ?start=all



i replaced with a mix of oem and mario konig's kit.



my advice, inspect , photograph & share on here then decide

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ST165 turbo 4WD
ST185 GT-FOUR RC Carlos Sainz Limited Edition 825•5000
ST185 turbo 4WD Carlos Sainz Limited Edition 2541•5000

My "eggbox" bush type things were also shot like Gary's

I bought some pu sprods and made my own washers uo

This has has a small impact on NVH

main bushes are easy to remove (at least mine were)

if you need to change the bushes over, powder coat, otherwise clean, go over with a 150 - 200 grit sandpaper then paint a couple of coats.

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GT Four Adovansu

"I want to enjoy the powerful and nimble agility behavior."

This is how I removed my bushes.

Made a SST out of 12mm square bar, 57mm long.
Rounded the ends and tack welded a nut to stop things moving around, and so I could screw a bolt in for extra length if needed. (not needed in my case)

First the inner bush gets compressed into the rubber, and when the bar hits the outer bush, bingo, just pushed straight out

They were pretty rusty when removed as well.

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[color=#000080]ST205 WRC 1994
Hybrid turbo
Apexi AVC-R
Apexi Power FC (Not being used ATM)
Apexi Power commander (Not being used ATM)

Nice solution.

I don't have a welder so just paid someone to do it!

You should keep that tool handy and rent it out to people doing the job in the future.

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GT4DC Events Co-ordinator
1996 ST205 UK

Beautiful

Would you mind if I added this to the wiki pages Phil?

Same question to Gary, mind if I borrow a few pictures if useful

Not at all mate, I hoped it may come in useful for someone in the future.

Where is the Wiki page though. I cannot see a link?

Except for your link of course

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[color=#000080]ST205 WRC 1994
Hybrid turbo
Apexi AVC-R
Apexi Power FC (Not being used ATM)
Apexi Power commander (Not being used ATM)

I guess someone need to buy a welder then?

I got a stick welder for £35 from Aldi which would have done the job, but then got a mig one so I can do more with it like stainless and ally if needed.

Anyway, here are the bushes, and how I cleaned the bush bores out.

60mm flap sander in the drill, fits a treat



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

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[color=#000080]ST205 WRC 1994
Hybrid turbo
Apexi AVC-R
Apexi Power FC (Not being used ATM)
Apexi Power commander (Not being used ATM)

I just used a thin screw driver down the edge of the bush to break the rust, then hit the bushes out with a rubber mallet and a blunt drift on the edges, popped right out no worries, I then sent the sub frame off to be shot blasted, when it came back I coated them in black POR15, came up a treat.

before



after

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ST205

I did read your post on another forum

I seem to remember your bushes were a lot cleaner when removed?

Also, I was enjoying your project thread, have you moved it here?

Anyway, many ways to skin a cat as they say

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[color=#000080]ST205 WRC 1994
Hybrid turbo
Apexi AVC-R
Apexi Power FC (Not being used ATM)
Apexi Power commander (Not being used ATM)

In deed, there is no correct way...just a way

My build thread is on Celica club, it was on the OC but there was virtually zero interest so I stopped updating it on there.

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ST205

Always interest on here in build threads

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GT4DC Events Co-ordinator
1996 ST205 UK

That secret ingredient - a nice hot cup of tea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAVQRdiXmrM&t=7m59s

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If at first you don't suck seed, try drier grain.