New suspension bushing kits?

GTSSportCoupe · Post by **GTSSportCoupe** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 9:40 am

Has anyone looked into, or bought/installed new bushings for their tercel's suspension? I took a close look at mine the other day. They are all pretty rotted and splitting. I'm thinking about replacing them all if there is a decent kit available.

3A-C Power · Post by **3A-C Power** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 10:28 am

I think new oem bushings would do wonders for the front end.

Fingers · Post by **Fingers** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 8:54 pm

I just recently looked into this, even though mine aren't that bad. There is a shop near me that doesn't have a 'set' or anything, told me if I bought the old ones in, they would put together a set of poly ones for me. They did this a while back for my 81 celica, and it really improved the overall feel in driving.

3A-C Power · Post by **3A-C Power** » Fri Apr 16, 2004 6:19 am

Don't use poly ones in the Tercel. Both front and rear suspensions are such a design that the bushings must have compliance because parts are joined that do not move along exactly the same path. Even the TRD bushings are rubber. If you put solid bushings in, the frame will have to flex instead of the bushings, and the bushings will be under high loads and wear out quickly, giving you lots of slop. The frame will probably crack somewhere under the repeated stress. If the shop can make you rubber ones, that is worth looking into. It would probably be cheaper than getting them from the dealer.

GTSSportCoupe · Post by **GTSSportCoupe** » Fri Apr 16, 2004 1:22 pm

Good to know! Thanks for the info!

takza · Post by **takza** » Fri Apr 16, 2004 4:18 pm

The front swaybar bushings that fasten to the frame might be found in urethane...but since they locate the wheels as well as do the swaybar thing...they'd have to be substantial.

Probably would have to go with the OEM "endlink" bushings unless you could find something that used a balljoint connection. OEM rubber could be shimmed some to be tighter though. Need to redo the toe-in.

The front "swaybar" on this car is the area to improve.

Under hard cornering, you can get strange behavior.

OZ Rob · Post by **OZ Rob** » Sat Apr 17, 2004 8:39 am

I've got Polyurethane bushes all through out my tercel and 1' lowered springs.

mines more of a street car the a offroad one. :ph34r:

3A-C Power · Post by **3A-C Power** » Sat Apr 17, 2004 9:14 am

I'd like to see some pictures of your car. I think you mean 1" lowered, not 1'.