Just a quick writeup on some suspension upgrades just completed. First job planned was to pull the rear subframe and changeover the stock bushes to SPL solid bushes. One very dirty subframe removed from the car. After stripping down the subframe and removing the old bushes, I decided to get the subframe sandblasted and powdercoated. Freshly painted subframe After freezing the aluminium bushes overnight in the fridge they slipped in quite easily with a rubber mallet. Next thing to do was fit SPL solid diff bushes. These were much tighter and would not tap in with a mallet. I used a diff bolt and washers to pull them into place. The diff has been rebuilt twice before, first time to fit leader gears and second time to fit the Quaife LSD. Nothing to do here except hit it with some paint and fit the diff bushes. Diff and sway bar bolted back into place. The hubs prior to disassembly and cleaning. Next step, replace all the hub bushes with SPL spherical bearings. I was quoted $80 per bush x 8 to do this so decided to try myself. Used a threaded rod and some sockets to push the old bushes out. For the large rubber shock absorber bush I used a hole saw and then tapped out the shell with a socket. Pulling in the new bushes with a bolt and washers. Fiited new Nissan outer ball joints. Next project, cut the splash shields down to aid brake cooling. While this can be done without removing them, its much neater this way. Used a dremel to cut and tidy the spot weld holding the outer shield to the inner shield. Time to reassemble the hubs and brakes. New SPL lower control arms bolted in. Completely reassembled and ready for fitting. How the splash shields look from behind the rotor.
THATS FREEKIN SEXY :zlove::zlove::zlove::zlove: i thought it wasnt good to get the subframe powdercoated??? p.s SELL IT TO ME
looking good ... I opted the energy bushes for the diff wasn't sure about how much vibration would transmit with subframe being alloy as well.
looking good JT Be a shame to take it out on the road and get it all dirty now after all the hard work. Concerns about the viabration and noise transmitted? Definately no more axil tramp for you, Be interested to see how it performs at the track, You remember the track, when we used to race, Been to long we need you back there.
Hey Wiz, not worried about the noise at all. Im sure it will be louder but its not driven every day so i dont mind. The bushes come with a 2mm thick rubber spacer as an option which can be installed between the bushing and the subframe. Been October 2007 since I last had the car on track so ive probably forgotten what to do. Ill be out there with you guys by the end of the year but I have a few more mods to do first
Rebuilding the front end next. Then going to raise the car slightly as i think it handles worse now than it did before lowereing it with the coilovers. The plan is to get it handling as best as possible before rebuilding the engine sometime in the future.
It is too 74' XB coupe, Black with silver, 460 big block, toploader and 9" diff...the one car i have always wanted way before the zed...still have to get it..one day
Looks like a great effort, you have inspired me. I've got. 78 XC sedan GS mockup with a 302C, my baby.
JT some nice tinkering there. You may regret going solid diff bushes, but can always change those, as it will be noisy. Also looks like both front and rear alloy cradle bushes are shorter which is good although you want to space the forward ones down and suspect they come with optional spacers to do this, this improves traction a lot by changing lower control arm angle for more squat. Also I have the SPL lower rear arms which are good although they use cheap rod ends, which are too thin in the neck and no surprise mine bent. I replaced them with German made 0.001 clearance quality stainless Teflon rod ends, $220 each and have lasted for years now with no wear..
JP, yes they come with spacers to adjust the subframe. How much do you suggest spacing the forward ones down? Hopefully my rear SPL arms will hold up OK as they are the newer design to the ones you have. They look to be bigger in the neck than yours going by the pics you have of your car on the UAS website.
