Saggy subframe?? Help!!

[kaidohms]

So I recently burned out the old rubber bushing and chiseled out the metal ring. And I got ES bushing ready to drop in. However the bushings weren't a tight fit, hell, it required no force to drop it in. Just slid right in (had some free play in them). So whatever, time to put the subframe on, all is straight forward, no troubles. After it's all done, I test drove around the block and checked to see if all is good. Then I noticed the passenger side, front side of the subframe was looking like it's about to slide off the bushing. I can use a jack and jack it up but once I release it it falls back down to a certain point. I noticed clunking as well during normal driving. Sound comes from road bumps, shifting etc.

Sorry for the long story. But my question is, why does my subframe sag in the spot mentioned...any insight or precautions I should heed before I take it to the track?? Thanks

[SochBAT]

Yes. Fix that slop. Get solid aluminum bushings instead of the ES ones. Makes the rear feel a lot more solid. And the bushing shouldn't be able to slide on normally. In every case I've experienced, you needed to use some force to get it in there.

[Razi]

I thought ES bushings didn't require you to chisel out the metal sleeve inside the subframe.
Hm.

[Homer_Simpson]

I thought ES bushings didn't require you to chisel out the metal sleeve inside the subframe.
Hm.
This is what I've been told over the years as well.

[kaidohms]

^ based off a couple of diy's that use es bushings, they said to cut out the metal ring. So i listened to them...I guess I shouldn't have?

[Corbic]

^ based off a couple of diy's that use es bushings, they said to cut out the metal ring. So i listened to them...I guess I shouldn't have?

Solids and don't look back. Poly sucks its not hard enough to make a huge difference and it squeaks like a freaking mouse.

[godrifttoday]

Maybe since u heated up u warp te metal, thus causing the damage u dis

[kaidohms]

^ poly vs solid isn't the concern as of now. What concerns me is that, did I mess up my subframe bushing diameter? And on the subject of poly vs solid, isn't the diameter the same?? And so my subframe is sorta kinda wider in diameter of the bushing itself. I believe I'm fcked.

[SochBAT]

I've always had to burn the fuck out of the bushings to get em out. Torch it, let it burn, come back with a screwdriver to chisel the remains. Never needed to cut shit.

[Def]

Pretty sure that metal sleeve needs to stay for ES bushings.

[dopplganger1]

Is this a s13 or s14? For the s13 you need to leave the sleave and I believe the s14 has two metal sleeves so you remove one. Either way you need a washer I had the same problem and went to a local hardware store and picked up some thick washers and they had them in the exact diamater I needed. I took one of the bushings in for reference but the bushings are about the size of a spray paint cap

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[kaidohms]

Is this a s13 or s14? For the s13 you need to leave the sleave and I believe the s14 has two metal sleeves so you remove one. Either way you need a washer I had the same problem and went to a local hardware store and picked up some thick washers and they had them in the exact diamater I needed. I took one of the bushings in for reference but the bushings are about the size of a spray paint cap

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So as a quick fix to my saggy problems is to get a huge washer...and to permanently fix it is to get a new subframe? Oh it's an s13

[Jonnie Fraz]

So as a quick fix to my saggy problems is to get a huge washer...and to permanently fix it is to get a new subframe? Oh it's an s13

You only need a new subframe if you have to use the ES bushings. Order PSM or SPL and sell the ES ones.

[bb4_96]

For S13 you only remove the sleeve if you're pressing solids in. Energy Susp bushings for S13 are just that goofy 3 or 4 prong looking thing that slide into the little gaps. Think you might have botched your subframe for poly.

[e1_griego]

Solids and don't look back. Poly sucks its not hard enough to make a huge difference and it squeaks like a freaking mouse.

Wait, what? Poly is plenty stiff for the subframe.

And poly bushings the in the subframe won't squeak because they're not rotating...

[kaidohms]

guess its a new subframe for me then -.-' fml

[locoluna825]

I Had the same problem. I intalled these into my s13. and ran into the same shit. I found out i ordered the WRONG bushings. I put s14 ES subframe bushings into my s13.
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j185/locoluna825/ES71117R_lg.jpg
ES does not make a Solid poly Subframe insert for the s13. THose are for the s14's. The ones for the s13 are these multi piece stacakble things that in my opinion look like crap.
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j185/locoluna825/71113G.jpg
I did fix my sagging problem like this.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j185/locoluna825/PICT0040.jpg

ITs a little over kill. But it works GREAT. It Looks like that on all four corners and the ES s14 subframe bushings are still in there. THe giant grade 8 washers i picked up just hold the whole thing together. Its very solid and there isnt any vibration in the car at all.

[dr.klawn]

so to those using the ES bushings... did u get a thunking noise outta the ass end when shifting?

[locoluna825]

I never acutally had a thunking noise from the rear end while shifting before i did the bushings. The reason why i did the bushings in the first place was because i swapped out the entire subframe because of an accident that dammaged my original one. Im pretty sure the thunking while shifting noise is from your drive shaft or differential..

[dr.klawn]

I never acutally had a thunking noise from the rear end while shifting before i did the bushings. The reason why i did the bushings in the first place was because i swapped out the entire subframe because of an accident that dammaged my original one. Im pretty sure the thunking while shifting noise is from your drive shaft or differential..
i guess.... also i've been running ES on my S13 for about 3yrs now with no probs & i replaced everything sleeves & grommets