Polyurethane Front Control Arm Bushings

sr5guy · 10-01-06, 10:33 PM

I just installed a set of front polyurethane control arm bushings on a customer's 1999 Ford Mustang this weekend. I was very impressed by the improvement in handling. I HAVE to have them for my Legend. I searched around for bushings on the internet and called 3 different race shops, no luck in finding anything made for the Legend. Acura does not even carry the stock bushings, they want to sell me a whole control arm instead. Not much info on the forum either, so onto Plan B.

I have a set of spare control arms and one spare left side subframe/engine/control arm mount (I have yet to locate it). My plan is to take measurements of the stock bushings and either (A.) match up something from another make/model or (B.) find something close enough and overbore the control arm or machine a sleeve.

So far this is what I've found:

Front lower control arm REARWARD bushing, installed in control arm

TWO PIECE CENTER bolt-through, one piece bushing?
62mm Length
Approx 42-45mm Diameter (haven't removed it yet)
12mm Bolt Hole

Front lower control arm FRONTWARD bushing, installed in combination subframe/control arm/engine mount (Part # 15 in this picture)

One piece bushing
?? Length
?? Diameter
12mm Bolt Hole

Control arm to strut arm bushing, installed in control arm

One piece bushing
~50mm Length
45mm Diameter
12mm Bolt Hole

Upper control arm bushings

One piece bushing
?? Length
?? Diameter
?? Bolt Hole

Can someone take measurements of the combination subframe/control arm/engine mount and get back to me with them? I cant find mine. Also the measurements of the upper control arm bushings, I don’t have a spare one.

Are there any poly bushings made for this car in the Japanese domestic market?

Does anyone know of a website (distributor, warehouse, etc) that has polyurethane bushing listed by size and dimensions - instead of by application?

Does anyone know of a cross reference book that lists control arm bushings by size?

Would polyurethane swaybar bushings have any benefit?

Is there any type of long-lasting lubrication for the bushings?

Hopefully, with some kind of collaborative effort here, we can find something that works. I'd like to see about the front lower control arm first as that's where I feel we will get the most benefit.

-Matt

GSteg · 10-02-06, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sr5guy

Are there any poly bushings made for this car in the Japanese domestic market?

None that I know of. Your best bet is to contact Energy Suspension and have them custom fabricate you a bushing set.

Quote:

Does anyone know of a website (distributor, warehouse, etc) that has polyurethane bushing listed by size and dimensions - instead of by application?

I doubt you'll find listings by size. It's a bit useless for the mass market since people only want to know what fits their car and as long as it does, they wouldn't care what size it is. The thing with bushings is that they must be exact and not "close enough".

Quote:

Would polyurethane swaybar bushings have any benefit?

sure would! I know plenty of people who have switched to poly sway bushings and get a bit less body roll. It wont have the effects of a new sway bar, but at least it wont compress like rubber during a hard turn.

Quote:

Is there any type of long-lasting lubrication for the bushings?

Most place that provides bushings will supply you specific grease. They're pretty thick and will probably last forever. These aren't the grease u can buy at autozone.

http://www.energysuspension.com/pages/univ1.html

For sure a bushing set will benefit the legend. By now, they're probably worn out as most cars. Great thing is these will last forever since they dont break down like rubber bushing.

advantages:
-more road feel through steering wheel
-more responsive/tighter steering
-reduce distortion over uneven road

disadvantage:
-costs about $300 or so just to get the old bushings pressed out

sr5guy · 10-03-06, 12:21 PM

Thanks for your insight GSteg. My hope here is that Honda did not re-invent the wheel in designing the bushings on the Legend (looks like they did ;-)). I have to get my hands on some other make and model control arms (prelude, accord, integra, etc) so that I can measure them. I understand they have to be exact in fitment. A machine shop could take up slight imperfections. Unfortunetly it looks like there is a science to making the bushings for a particular car (weight, deflection, etc). So this project MAY not be feasible.

By the way, once the control arms were removed from the mustang, I had the old bushing cut out and new ones installed for $50.00 by a press shop.

-Matt

supra2nv · 10-04-06, 03:25 AM

I need to replace my rear ones for sure. they squeek. fronts would be cool too. Does Whiteline make a set for the Legend? they did for my Supra..

Legend6662 · 10-23-06, 03:43 AM

Any other suggestion on how to get these bushing for our legend. I think a lot of us would like to get some as our cars' getting more mileage on it. I tried to find from SuperPro (Australian made) but they don't have any since there is no demand... If we do group purchase than may be they ill produce it... Let me know what you guys think...

whats77inaname · 10-23-06, 10:21 PM

Hmmmmmmmmm....don't mean to hijack your thread, but....along those lines....

http://acura-legend.com/vbulletin/sh...ad.php?t=91942

kotetu · 04-20-07, 12:05 AM

bump, is this dead?

Legend6662 · 04-20-07, 12:19 AM

I think so... and I sold my Legend for a RX-8 ;-)

antik · 04-20-07, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kotetu

bump, is this dead?

Poly bushings just aren't available as far as I've found so far: what I have seen is all custom. I've even spoken to Energy Suspension about whether they have things that will work (I think I was just looking for end links or front sway bushings - I don't even remember at this point and it doesn't seem that I have the email trail anymore) and my feedback wasn't so positive.

Energy is located in San Clemente (about an hour south of LA on the 5, it appears). I wonder if we could convince them to work with us to develop full sets for the sedans and coupes....

*Dv8* · 04-20-07, 01:43 AM

Must have missed this thread.
I bought an integra engery suspention kit sometime ago and utilized a quater sized round and 3/8's in. thick bushing for my torn ball joint on the lower control arm. works great. Everytime I take it apart and put it back together i grease the hell out of it and it sticks for a long time.
Also in that kit I found a round shifter bushing that works with our shift linkage.
I tried looking for the easiest ones to install.
Lastly I used one to incorporate into a trans mount. Ended up vibrating way too much.

~Dv8

kotetu · 04-20-07, 03:11 AM

I'm glad I bumped this! Looks we've uncovered some lost technology here! (thanks Dv8)

mrkeith · 04-20-07, 01:56 PM

Good to know!

I'd be down to push for an entire Energy Suspension Kit for our Legends. If you guys can get me the sizes/kinds--or, at least as much as we know--of our bushings, I'll drive down there and talk with them.

antik · 04-21-07, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrkeith

Good to know!

I'd be down to push for an entire Energy Suspension Kit for our Legends. If you guys can get me the sizes/kinds--or, at least as much as we know--of our bushings, I'll drive down there and talk with them.

Thats what I'm talkin about it. Let's get them to hook it up! They should be able to look over our setups and measure stuff out for us wouldn't you think?

soulman · 04-30-07, 02:48 AM

http://www.energysuspension.com/pages/univ1.html

nothing in there that we can use on the legends?
Iam going to install my ksports next week and i need to replace my rear right upper control arm. Inspecting the bushings i found they are all dried and cracked up on the 1991 coupe. I dont want to replace all the control arms as that would just make me broke, just curious if someone has used the universal ones listed above. Something;s got to fit.

soulman · 05-03-07, 02:11 AM

just replaced my rear right upper control arm today, cost me an arm and leg.my lower ball joint in the back is OK but the bushings really look worn out. Come on guys lets work on this, if we can figure out if the generic enegry suspension bushings can be made to fit our cars, i think all of us will save a lot of money. Where can i buy a bunch of generic energy suspension bushings from?

10-01-06, 10:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
sr5guy Legend Agent Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,637 Car 1: 95 BMW 740I Car 2: 91 L Sedan Rosewood Car 3: 91 LS Cpe 3.5 sold iTrader: (32)	Polyurethane Front Control Arm Bushings I just installed a set of front polyurethane control arm bushings on a customer's 1999 Ford Mustang this weekend. I was very impressed by the improvement in handling. I HAVE to have them for my Legend. I searched around for bushings on the internet and called 3 different race shops, no luck in finding anything made for the Legend. Acura does not even carry the stock bushings, they want to sell me a whole control arm instead. Not much info on the forum either, so onto Plan B. I have a set of spare control arms and one spare left side subframe/engine/control arm mount (I have yet to locate it). My plan is to take measurements of the stock bushings and either (A.) match up something from another make/model or (B.) find something close enough and overbore the control arm or machine a sleeve. So far this is what I've found: Front lower control arm REARWARD bushing, installed in control arm TWO PIECE CENTER bolt-through, one piece bushing? 62mm Length Approx 42-45mm Diameter (haven't removed it yet) 12mm Bolt Hole Front lower control arm FRONTWARD bushing, installed in combination subframe/control arm/engine mount (Part # 15 in this picture) One piece bushing ?? Length ?? Diameter 12mm Bolt Hole Control arm to strut arm bushing, installed in control arm One piece bushing ~50mm Length 45mm Diameter 12mm Bolt Hole Upper control arm bushings One piece bushing ?? Length ?? Diameter ?? Bolt Hole Can someone take measurements of the combination subframe/control arm/engine mount and get back to me with them? I cant find mine. Also the measurements of the upper control arm bushings, I don’t have a spare one. Are there any poly bushings made for this car in the Japanese domestic market? Does anyone know of a website (distributor, warehouse, etc) that has polyurethane bushing listed by size and dimensions - instead of by application? Does anyone know of a cross reference book that lists control arm bushings by size? Would polyurethane swaybar bushings have any benefit? Is there any type of long-lasting lubrication for the bushings? Hopefully, with some kind of collaborative effort here, we can find something that works. I'd like to see about the front lower control arm first as that's where I feel we will get the most benefit. -Matt __________________ The dude with a chip on his shoulder. Stop asking me to compare my chip with Telion's damnit. Mines better. No, really, stop asking The Legend Garage Last edited by sr5guy : 10-01-06 at 10:57 PM.

10-03-06, 12:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
sr5guy Legend Agent Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,637 Car 1: 95 BMW 740I Car 2: 91 L Sedan Rosewood Car 3: 91 LS Cpe 3.5 sold iTrader: (32)	Thanks for your insight GSteg. My hope here is that Honda did not re-invent the wheel in designing the bushings on the Legend (looks like they did ;-)). I have to get my hands on some other make and model control arms (prelude, accord, integra, etc) so that I can measure them. I understand they have to be exact in fitment. A machine shop could take up slight imperfections. Unfortunetly it looks like there is a science to making the bushings for a particular car (weight, deflection, etc). So this project MAY not be feasible. By the way, once the control arms were removed from the mustang, I had the old bushing cut out and new ones installed for $50.00 by a press shop. -Matt __________________ The dude with a chip on his shoulder. Stop asking me to compare my chip with Telion's damnit. Mines better. No, really, stop asking The Legend Garage

10-04-06, 03:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
supra2nv Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 935 Car 1: Honda Civic Hybrid Car 2: 07 MDX Sport/Tech Car 3: 2005 NSX (toy) iTrader: (4)	I need to replace my rear ones for sure. they squeek. fronts would be cool too. Does Whiteline make a set for the Legend? they did for my Supra.. __________________

10-23-06, 03:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
Legend6662 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Malaysia Posts: 82 Car 1: 1995 Silver Sedan iTrader: (0)	Any other suggestion on how to get these bushing for our legend. I think a lot of us would like to get some as our cars' getting more mileage on it. I tried to find from SuperPro (Australian made) but they don't have any since there is no demand... If we do group purchase than may be they ill produce it... Let me know what you guys think... __________________ 1st car - Honda Legend G1 (2.0 V6) -SOLD 2nd car - Honda Legend G2 - SOLD Changes I have made so far: - Koni Special Shock Absorber & Spring - E-Power2 Voltage stabilizer & Splitfire ground wire - 17" Advanti Rim + 215/45/17 Michelin Pilot Perceda 2 - Sound Insolation + Pioneer DEH-7750 CD Player & PLC speakers - K&N Air-Filter - Dual Exhaust Pipe (Brabus) - Acura Emblem - JDM Headlight (Black housing) + HID Philip 4,300K Now 3rd & 4th car - Honda Accord Exi 2.0 & Mazda RX-8

04-20-07, 12:05 AM	#7 (permalink)
kotetu we sanction torture Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 3,930 Car 1: 95 LS Coupe 6spd Car 2: 94 L Cpe 6spd - sold Car 3: 98 Prelude - sold iTrader: (13)	bump, is this dead? __________________ Ron Paul's American Freedom Agenda Act would (among other things) restore habeas corpus, end legally sanctioned torture, and end warrantless spying on American citizens. Please tell your representatives to co-sponsor the American Freedom Agenda Act. (link)

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10-23-06, 10:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
whats77inaname Renaissance. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tx Posts: 3,650 Car 1: 91 5MT LS, 300k Car 2: 91 5MT LS, 183k Car 3: 03 G35 sdn (wife's) iTrader: (22)	Hmmmmmmmmm....don't mean to hijack your thread, but....along those lines.... http://acura-legend.com/vbulletin/sh...ad.php?t=91942

04-20-07, 12:19 AM	#8 (permalink)
Legend6662 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Malaysia Posts: 82 Car 1: 1995 Silver Sedan iTrader: (0)	I think so... and I sold my Legend for a RX-8 ;-) __________________ 1st car - Honda Legend G1 (2.0 V6) -SOLD 2nd car - Honda Legend G2 - SOLD Changes I have made so far: - Koni Special Shock Absorber & Spring - E-Power2 Voltage stabilizer & Splitfire ground wire - 17" Advanti Rim + 215/45/17 Michelin Pilot Perceda 2 - Sound Insolation + Pioneer DEH-7750 CD Player & PLC speakers - K&N Air-Filter - Dual Exhaust Pipe (Brabus) - Acura Emblem - JDM Headlight (Black housing) + HID Philip 4,300K Now 3rd & 4th car - Honda Accord Exi 2.0 & Mazda RX-8

04-20-07, 01:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
Dv8 Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: CA Posts: 4,889 Car 1: 91' 3.5lt Extreme DV8ED Hybrid 6spd Car 2: 03' G35c Blk on Blk Car 3: 92'Yukon/06'Trailer iTrader: (11)	Must have missed this thread. I bought an integra engery suspention kit sometime ago and utilized a quater sized round and 3/8's in. thick bushing for my torn ball joint on the lower control arm. works great. Everytime I take it apart and put it back together i grease the hell out of it and it sticks for a long time. Also in that kit I found a round shifter bushing that works with our shift linkage. I tried looking for the easiest ones to install. Lastly I used one to incorporate into a trans mount. Ended up vibrating way too much. ~Dv8 __________________ AEM EMS Powered. 9 yrs and counting. Results, Where are yours? 12.953@107.865MPH 95 deg. Jun. 07' 3.5 6spd-#55 jet Nitrous 316WHP@5500RPM 345Lb-ft@4100RPM NOS 06-07'N/A 234WHP@5700RPM 229lb-ft@4600RPM 06-07' 13.782@99.135MPH N/A 95 deg. Jun 07' 03' G35c Auto Vortech Supercharged pshhhh 311WHP 274WTQ13.1@102MPH-on the brakes(108MPH) Hand fabbed Go-Kart 18whp 24wtq 8 page spread Honda Tuning 09-06' issue PM or Email only. Respect that! My Legends Website www.2slik4u.com

04-20-07, 03:11 AM	#11 (permalink)
kotetu we sanction torture Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 3,930 Car 1: 95 LS Coupe 6spd Car 2: 94 L Cpe 6spd - sold Car 3: 98 Prelude - sold iTrader: (13)	I'm glad I bumped this! Looks we've uncovered some lost technology here! (thanks Dv8) __________________ Ron Paul's American Freedom Agenda Act would (among other things) restore habeas corpus, end legally sanctioned torture, and end warrantless spying on American citizens. Please tell your representatives to co-sponsor the American Freedom Agenda Act. (link)

04-20-07, 01:56 PM	#12 (permalink)
mrkeith dealer-opted track pack Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: look behind you Posts: 3,525 Car 1: ka8 Car 2: chevro-legs iTrader: (2)	Good to know! I'd be down to push for an entire Energy Suspension Kit for our Legends. If you guys can get me the sizes/kinds--or, at least as much as we know--of our bushings, I'll drive down there and talk with them. __________________ The performance handling machine... If you've got coil-overs, corner-balance them! Please protect our environment: use a high-flow.

04-30-07, 02:48 AM	#14 (permalink)
soulman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: toronto Posts: 142 Car 1: acura vigor iTrader: (0)	http://www.energysuspension.com/pages/univ1.html nothing in there that we can use on the legends? Iam going to install my ksports next week and i need to replace my rear right upper control arm. Inspecting the bushings i found they are all dried and cracked up on the 1991 coupe. I dont want to replace all the control arms as that would just make me broke, just curious if someone has used the universal ones listed above. Something;s got to fit.

05-03-07, 02:11 AM	#15 (permalink)
soulman Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: toronto Posts: 142 Car 1: acura vigor iTrader: (0)	just replaced my rear right upper control arm today, cost me an arm and leg.my lower ball joint in the back is OK but the bushings really look worn out. Come on guys lets work on this, if we can figure out if the generic enegry suspension bushings can be made to fit our cars, i think all of us will save a lot of money. Where can i buy a bunch of generic energy suspension bushings from?

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