How to Install Solid Aluminum Subframe Bushings for S13/S14

Written By: J Hart (and one other contributor)
  • Comments: 1
  • Favorites: 0
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Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

8

Time Required

06:00:00 - 10:00:00

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User-Contributed Guide

User-Contributed Guide

This guide is not managed by the site's staff.

Introduction

The rear subframe of any S13 or S14 will eventually have worn-out rubber bushings which causes incorrect suspension alignment resulting in unpredictable handling.

By replacing the worn bushings, wheel alignment is corrected and maintained especially for the rear suspension. Unpredictable handling is now predictable, inspiring driver confidence.

  1. Raise rear end of car using floor jack. Once rear end is raised, find hardened chassis points (located near rear end part of frame rails) or use rearmost part of the frame rail and lower car onto jack stands.

    • Raise rear end of car using floor jack.

    • Once rear end is raised, find hardened chassis points (located near rear end part of frame rails) or use rearmost part of the frame rail and lower car onto jack stands.

    • Remove Rear Wheels

    Edit

  2. Remove rear brake calipers, brake pads, and brake discs/rotors. DO NOT remove brake lines from calipers; tie-up and hang calipers using zipties or wire hangers. Unhook rear e-brake cables from center connection point underneath car. Unbolt rear driveshaft from rear differential coupler.

    • Remove rear brake calipers, brake pads, and brake discs/rotors. DO NOT remove brake lines from calipers; tie-up and hang calipers using zipties or wire hangers.

    • Unhook rear e-brake cables from center connection point underneath car.

    • Unbolt rear driveshaft from rear differential coupler.

    • Remove rear coilover and/or shock & spring assemblies

    Edit

  3. Unbolt rear subframe by using a 1/2" drive ratchet (preferable) with 17mm deep socket to loosen the 4 nuts that hold the subframe in place (the use of air tools is allowable but not recommended).

    • Unbolt rear subframe by using a 1/2" drive ratchet (preferable) with 17mm deep socket to loosen the 4 nuts that hold the subframe in place (the use of air tools is allowable but not recommended).

    • Support rear subframe with 2 floor jacks mounted underneath both sides of the subframe. Once rear nuts are removed, pry and lower subframe down to the ground slowly.

    Edit

  4. Lower subframe onto blocks of wood placed underneath both sides of the subframe and front nose of differential.

    • Lower subframe onto blocks of wood placed underneath both sides of the subframe and front nose of differential.

    • Cut up the rubber bushings of the subframe using an electric hacksaw- go through the existing holes in bushing to start the cut and work your way from there.

    Edit

  5. Once rubber on all subframe bushings are cut, use the bushing press kit to push each bushing out. The Removed bushings should look like something in the picture to the left.

    • Once rubber on all subframe bushings are cut, use the bushing press kit to push each bushing out. The Removed bushings should look like something in the picture to the left.

    Edit

  6. When all rubber bushings are removed, clean out the holes that the bushings were pressed out of. The holes should look like what is pictured.

    • When all rubber bushings are removed, clean out the holes that the bushings were pressed out of. The holes should look like what is pictured.

    Edit

  7. Using the bushing press kit, press each new solid subfame bushing into their respective hole.

    • Using the bushing press kit, press each new solid subfame bushing into their respective hole.

    • *IMPORTANT*: Make sure position and orientation of the hole on bushing matches up with the mounting stud on the chassis BEFORE pressing bushing in.

    • Pressed bushing should be flush in the hole and look like what is pictured to the left.

    Edit

  8. All pressed-in bushings should look like what is in the picture to the left. Check to make sure all bushings are flush and pressed in completely.

    • All pressed-in bushings should look like what is in the picture to the left. Check to make sure all bushings are flush and pressed in completely.

    • Congratulations you're done!!!

    Edit
Finish Line

2 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 1 other contributor

J Hart

Member since: 06/12/2014

125 Reputation

1 Guide authored

One Comment

Hi, i just read your installation guide. I don't know how old this is or if you can read my question anymore. But I've just done the same mod on my s13 with s15 subframe and conversion solid bushings.

I have put in the bushings the opposite way right now, to make space between the top of the subframe and the bottom of the chassis.

But when i do that, the subframe can fall off.

Is there enough space from the subframe and up to the chassis, if i press the bushings in from the other side (the same as your picture) or do you have some collar or something in between?

Thank you

Best regards Rasmus

Rasmus Jensen - Reply

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