Chicago Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Hey guys, I've been having some troubles with my suspension, and based on how it drives, the advice from others on the forum, and stories from others with similar problems, it looks like I have broken Endlinks and/or LCA bushings. Since Endlinks are cheap, I picked up a set of Rallitek HD to upgrade a bit. When I install those, I am going to inspect the bushings as well. Before I get into that, I've been doing some research on the subject, and I need some advice. I am a somewhat agressive driver when the car is handling normal, but unfortunately, a majority of my driving is the commute to work (1 hr both ways). I already have 58k miles on a 2009. That said, this car will never see a track of any sorts, especially since I don't have the turbo. I still want to have some fun driving, but will installing polyurethane bushings (i.e. Whiteline), make it a rougher ride for mainly a DD? I'd like to upgrade, but don't want to sacrifice the ride at the same time. These are basically my options (for driver and passenger): 1) Whiteline front LCA bushings: ~$165 + labor 2) OE replacement bushings: ~$46 + labor 3) OE replacement LCA w/ bushings and ball joints: ~$356, and I can install myself. I'm hesitant to try to remove/press the bushings myself, as I am not very experienced with things of this nature, and I don't have any mechanic friends. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago Posted October 4, 2012 Author Share Posted October 4, 2012 Also, I am on a budget, so forking out $300+ is not easy. At the same time, I hear horror stories about these bushings, and if upgrading means I won't have to replace them often, that is a bonus given that I plan on driving this car into the ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a93x Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Just put on the whiteline LCA bushings a few weeks ago, love them so far. I would def recommend. I watched my mechanic friend do mine and I would for sure say to have someone do it for you. There quite the ***** to get out of the car, and then to get the or bushings out of the arm. torque impresses girrls, hp impresses flat-bills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Capacity Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Go with the up grade bushings, Pay the man to do the job You should not need ball joints, ever in most of these cars. I have whitelins and AVO in my LCA, been there for many years. No difference in the ride. 305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD). CHECK your oil, these cars use it. Engine Build - Click Here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adreyna Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 yea Im in the process of getting stuff together to do mine. I got a good deal from BostonMortorSports here on the forum, $158 shipped for whitelines. Thinking of having my friend do them for me since I recently had shoulder surgery, and I don't have money to fork out for the install. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxkita Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 I run a full set of whiteline bits (setup for the track) on what has become a daily driver (28 miles of stop-go traffic). Other than the beating I take on downtown streets (lowered with very little suspension travel), I have had no problems. In fact, having the upgraded bushings seems to help when a quick burst is needed to squeeze into a space. Changing your springs/shocks will have a far greater effect on your comfort, than the LCA bushings. Build my car Boxkita Track days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamifanatic Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 do the bushings i have them in my sti which i DD, honestly it just firms up everything and takes out the slop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adreyna Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 boxkita you should help me install mine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robitrice Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 i love whiteline, i got them and they are fine for dd use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitetiger Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 I run a full set of whiteline bits (setup for the track) on what has become a daily driver (28 miles of stop-go traffic). Other than the beating I take on downtown streets (lowered with very little suspension travel), I have had no problems. In fact, having the upgraded bushings seems to help when a quick burst is needed to squeeze into a space. Changing your springs/shocks will have a far greater effect on your comfort, than the LCA bushings. +1 to all this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxkita Posted October 5, 2012 Share Posted October 5, 2012 boxkita you should help me install mine! We would be a pair, I'm clueless and you're helpless. Actually, I need to swap my brakes this weekend. Bring your car down and we can work it together. I'm willing to learn new stuff (I did this once on my '70 Challenger) Build my car Boxkita Track days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbomacharged Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 yea Im in the process of getting stuff together to do mine. I got a good deal from BostonMortorSports here on the forum, $158 shipped for whitelines. Thinking of having my friend do them for me since I recently had shoulder surgery, and I don't have money to fork out for the install. adreyna, was that $158 for all four (2 sets, rear bushings and inner bushings) from Boston? Curious because my car has been saying its time and may as well do it all at once. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adreyna Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 ^Yup! Got them delivered today! I just need to get some tools together! Yea pm BostonMotorSports. I got WL yellow kc334 and w0506 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZP Installs Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 We also carry and have installed a ton of the rear and inner WL bushings. We are also an authorized whiteline performance center, which means if they do fail later on, whiteline will stand behind them, those purchased from Internet Walmart companies/non authorized dealers may be questioned at warranty time. -Mike Paisan http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/91072632.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/145749898/original.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/133406601.jpg http://www.whiteline.com.au/images/logos/perf1.jpg 11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts. Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us. Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs "Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lingling1337 Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 I like my Gp. N front and Whiteline rear bushings for dd, no increase in NVH. EDIT: Pulling and re-installing the LCAs isn't too hard, I'd just pay to have someone press the bushings. If you aren't comfortable with that though, I would say pay someone to install rather than buying a whole new LCA assembly. My shop quoted an hour a side to replace the bushings, so $170 in labor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxkita Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 since nvh stands for noise, vibration, and harshness, and a change to higher durometer bushings (cupgrading from stock) will have an increase in NVH, the issue becomes how much change can you live with the for the increased responsiveness to your steering inputs. My wife, who *hates* any change I make to my car, actually likes riding in the wagon because it "doesnt bounce and sway anymore". This opinion goes out the window any time we ride on a rough road, though. If you upgrade the bushings and leave the "tired/high mileage" stock suspension in place, your net gain in performance will be zero or negative. If you are changing out the bushings because your stock ones are ripped/shredded/etc and you are looking at doing cost based upgrade to your car's suspension over time, then the whiteline/group N updates are worth the extra money. If you want a real change to your handling before adding a bigger turbo, put on a decent set of swaybars. The bushing upgrade is one of the last changes when looking to improve performance. Its a subtle change, not a gross one. My two cents based on my experience and alot of reading on this forum. Its your car, and your money, A small plug for Mike (Azt installs)...its from vendors like him that I've learned the finer details of parts selecction relative to my desired result. A couple of extra bucks spent with a vendor who contributes keeps them around and we all benefit. If you dont donate to support the forum, donate to support the vendorsd who support the forum. /soapbox Build my car Boxkita Track days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adreyna Posted October 6, 2012 Share Posted October 6, 2012 since nvh stands for noise, vibration, and harshness, and a change to higher durometer bushings (cupgrading from stock) will have an increase in NVH, the issue becomes how much change can you live with the for the increased responsiveness to your steering inputs. My wife, who *hates* any change I make to my car, actually likes riding in the wagon because it "doesnt bounce and sway anymore". This opinion goes out the window any time we ride on a rough road, though. If you upgrade the bushings and leave the "tired/high mileage" stock suspension in place, your net gain in performance will be zero or negative. If you are changing out the bushings because your stock ones are ripped/shredded/etc and you are looking at doing cost based upgrade to your car's suspension over time, then the whiteline/group N updates are worth the extra money. If you want a real change to your handling before adding a bigger turbo, put on a decent set of swaybars. The bushing upgrade is one of the last changes when looking to improve performance. Its a subtle change, not a gross one. My two cents based on my experience and alot of reading on this forum. Its your car, and your money, A small plug for Mike (Azt installs)...its from vendors like him that I've learned the finer details of parts selecction relative to my desired result. A couple of extra bucks spent with a vendor who contributes keeps them around and we all benefit. If you dont donate to support the forum, donate to support the vendorsd who support the forum. /soapbox Further suspension upgrades are planned for next summer, but for now as far as a cost based upgrade over time I decided for WLs, being in college I decided for the cheapest vender. rsb and shocks are next. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZP Installs Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 since nvh stands for noise, vibration, and harshness, and a change to higher durometer bushings (cupgrading from stock) will have an increase in NVH, the issue becomes how much change can you live with the for the increased responsiveness to your steering inputs. My wife, who *hates* any change I make to my car, actually likes riding in the wagon because it "doesnt bounce and sway anymore". This opinion goes out the window any time we ride on a rough road, though. If you upgrade the bushings and leave the "tired/high mileage" stock suspension in place, your net gain in performance will be zero or negative. If you are changing out the bushings because your stock ones are ripped/shredded/etc and you are looking at doing cost based upgrade to your car's suspension over time, then the whiteline/group N updates are worth the extra money. If you want a real change to your handling before adding a bigger turbo, put on a decent set of swaybars. The bushing upgrade is one of the last changes when looking to improve performance. Its a subtle change, not a gross one. My two cents based on my experience and alot of reading on this forum. Its your car, and your money, A small plug for Mike (Azt installs)...its from vendors like him that I've learned the finer details of parts selecction relative to my desired result. A couple of extra bucks spent with a vendor who contributes keeps them around and we all benefit. If you dont donate to support the forum, donate to support the vendorsd who support the forum. /soapbox Thanks! We've installed several of the WL LCA Bushings on soccer mom legacies over the years and none of them have complained about any increase in NVH. As for pricing, remember, that in the unlikeliness that you have a Whiteline failure, it is significantly easier to get warranty related work if you purchase from an Authorized Whiteline dealer or Whiteline Performance Center than through a 3rd party. Just remember that when buying from grey-market resellers who say "PM for Price" or "Call for Price". -Mike Paisan http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/91072632.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/145749898/original.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/133406601.jpg http://www.whiteline.com.au/images/logos/perf1.jpg 11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts. Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us. Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs "Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbomacharged Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 ^Yup! Got them delivered today! I just need to get some tools together! Yea pm BostonMotorSports. I got WL yellow kc334 and w0506 Good, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spc2125 Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 We also carry and have installed a ton of the rear and inner WL bushings. We are also an authorized whiteline performance center, which means if they do fail later on, whiteline will stand behind them, those purchased from Internet Walmart companies/non authorized dealers may be questioned at warranty time. -Mike Paisan http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/91072632.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/145749898/original.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/133406601.jpg http://www.whiteline.com.au/images/logos/perf1.jpg 11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts. Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us. Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs "Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!" How much for installation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbomacharged Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 We also carry and have installed a ton of the rear and inner WL bushings. We are also an authorized whiteline performance center, which means if they do fail later on, whiteline will stand behind them, those purchased from Internet Walmart companies/non authorized dealers may be questioned at warranty time. -Mike Paisan Mike, I think I sent you a PM yesterday about these. If you didn't get it, please let me know. Also, I have access to a press. Does anyone have experience with pressing these particular bushings out with sockets? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZP Installs Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 Mike, I think I sent you a PM yesterday about these. If you didn't get it, please let me know. Also, I have access to a press. Does anyone have experience with pressing these particular bushings out with sockets? Thanks. Just catching up this Sunday morning on PMs. You should have it in your PM box. I also included the inner bushings as it pays to do both together. -Mike Paisan http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/91072632.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/145749898/original.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/133406601.jpg http://www.whiteline.com.au/images/logos/perf1.jpg 11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts. Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us. Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs "Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZP Installs Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 How much for installation? $200 for the install of both the inner and rear Front LCA Bushings. -Mike Paisan http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/91072632.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/145749898/original.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/133406601.jpg http://www.whiteline.com.au/images/logos/perf1.jpg 11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts. Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us. Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs "Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago Posted October 8, 2012 Author Share Posted October 8, 2012 Thanks guys for all the input. I ordered both the inner front and rear Whitelines. My uncle and his friend said they would help me install them this weekend, so hopefully they arrive in time to get this done. Just a heads up. I ordered both of them on eBay for under cost of what the Whiteline website lists with free shipping. They're not from a random person, but small shops that place some of their inventory on eBay. $118 for rear, $49 for front. The best part is that if you have decent credit, Paypal offers bill-me-later and you have 6 months with no interest to pay off any purchase over $99. It's a great deal for those of us that need to repair/upgrade without having the funds in our pocket. Just be careful, if you don't pay it off in the 6 months, you get charged interest from the date of purchase. I'll let you guys know how the install goes and how it drives afterwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZP Installs Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 Thanks guys for all the input. I ordered both the inner front and rear Whitelines. My uncle and his friend said they would help me install them this weekend, so hopefully they arrive in time to get this done. Just a heads up. I ordered both of them on eBay for under cost of what the Whiteline website lists with free shipping. They're not from a random person, but small shops that place some of their inventory on eBay. $118 for rear, $49 for front. The best part is that if you have decent credit, Paypal offers bill-me-later and you have 6 months with no interest to pay off any purchase over $99. It's a great deal for those of us that need to repair/upgrade without having the funds in our pocket. Just be careful, if you don't pay it off in the 6 months, you get charged interest from the date of purchase. I'll let you guys know how the install goes and how it drives afterwards. Wow, so for less than $20 more than you could pay from a left vendor on here who actually helps out and pays o make this board free, you go and buy on ebay. Amazing! You are welcome for all the help the legit vendors on here give for free. -Mike Paisan http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/91072632.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/145749898/original.jpg http://www.pbase.com/paisan/image/133406601.jpg http://www.whiteline.com.au/images/logos/perf1.jpg 11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts. Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us. Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs "Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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