Poly Bushes

[Pete McCue]

Good morning all
Come the summer I've got a list of jobs to do on the car and have been collecting all the bits required.
So far this includes:
New grooved/drilled brake discs and pads,
New calipers, (just so I can paint them up off the car),
New braided hoses,
Centre Brace,
Front Brace.
I want to refresh all the suspension - Does anywhere do exchange units, or is it just buy new. Was looking at MR2 Ben's fully built kits with KYB shocks but quite pricey. Happy to keep it standard.
Also looking to fit poly bushes all round. Are these relatively straightforward to do, ie; Big G-cramp etc, or more complex like hydraulic press?
Any advice appreciated. Cheers.

[Carolyn]

If you shop around you will find KYB (OEM equivalent) shocks for decent prices. You might have to buy all four from different suplliers to get the best deal.  Gaiters and bump stops are available from TCB Performance parts.

[tets]

If you look on my readers ride, I found the rear polybushes quite easy. I'm sure there's a couple of pics on there.
Vice, couple of different size sockets and a reciprocating saw for the sleeves.
I bought the front arms already done so not sure how easy the big bush would be to get in!

[Joesson]

@Pete McCue

Around three years ago the front shock gaiters were an advisory as was a dragging front calioer and a splitting ( large) Bush on the control A arms at MOT.
I decided to replace the shocks ( @around 58K) while replacing the gaiters and bump stops. I polybushed the front arms. Renovated the front calipers and decided after an evaluation to replace the rear calipers.
I used KYB shocks from Parts in Motion.
NK rear calipers. The five year warranty would not be honoured if I painted them, so I painted the fronts silver to match the self colour metal finish.
Front seals etc from Brake parts or similar.
Gaiters and bump stops from Autodoc.
Super Pro polybushes  and necessary bolts from TCB who could likely supply all of your needs and you get someone to speak with. Just keep trying on the phone.

At the time there was much talk on here about replacement front arms. Some Members had needed to replace the replacements within a year!

Hand tools, a bench vice, a length of 10mm studding / threaded bar with washers and nuts and suitable sized sockets were used to remove and replace the bushes.
Most difficult for me was removing the control arm Bolts and removing/ replacing the the ball joint. NB.The horizontal fixing bolt should be turned by the bolt head, NOT the nut when removing and replacing.

Please be aware, if considering renovating your rear calipers that some suppliers offer rear pistons that DO NOT include the necessary handbrake actuator, claiming that the old actuator can be reused. IT CAN NOT.

When replacing the front arms the advice is to torque / tighten the bolts with the car on its wheels. I did this by raising the front to do the work and lowering it onto blocks under the wheels to maintain necessary clearance. This may  be achievable with car ramps.

[Pete McCue]

@Pete McCue

Around three years ago the front shock gaiters were an advisory as was a dragging front calioer and a splitting ( large) Bush on the control A arms at MOT.
I decided to replace the shocks ( @around 58K) while replacing the gaiters and bump stops. I polybushed the front arms. Renovated the front calipers and decided after an evaluation to replace the rear calipers.
I used KYB shocks from Parts in Motion.
NK rear calipers. The five year warranty would not be honoured if I painted them, so I painted the fronts silver to match the self colour metal finish.
Front seals etc from Brake parts or similar.
Gaiters and bump stops from Autodoc.
Super Pro polybushes  and necessary bolts from TCB who could likely supply all of your needs and you get someone to speak with. Just keep trying on the phone.

At the time there was much talk on here about replacement front arms. Some Members had needed to replace the replacements within a year!

Hand tools, a bench vice, a length of 10mm studding / threaded bar with washers and nuts and suitable sized sockets were used to remove and replace the bushes.
Most difficult for me was removing the control arm Bolts and removing/ replacing the the ball joint. NB.The horizontal fixing bolt should be turned by the bolt head, NOT the nut when removing and replacing.

Please be aware, if considering renovating your rear calipers that some suppliers offer rear pistons that DO NOT include the necessary handbrake actuator, claiming that the old actuator can be reused. IT CAN NOT.

When replacing the front arms the advice is to torque / tighten the bolts with the car on its wheels. I did this by raising the front to do the work and lowering it onto blocks under the wheels to maintain necessary clearance. This may  be achievable with car ramps.

Excellent, thank you for that!
Thanks to all. 

[Craigjm]

When I renovated the suspension on my old silver car I polybushed it. Just form the same to the replacement blue car and I didn't bother.