Energy Suspension Bushings

TanquerayG · 08-06-2007, 01:32 AM

I bought a set of Energy Suspension bushings for all of my suspension on my 93 MR2 Turbo. I found the poly bushing for the front strut rod (bar going forward) is wider (outer diameter) than the bushing shell (inner diameter). What do I do?

It is polyurethane so it seems I can't squeeze it in. I am thinking of grinding it down but I don't know a good way...maybe bolt down my grinding wheel and build a moveable mount for the bushing and control its proximty to the wheel and grind it on all sides evenly.

I found the inner metal sleeve for the front control arm (bar going left or right) is shorter than the originals but the new big washer that is at one end of the bushing makes it thick enough. But the original had a longer sleeve and the big washer had a larger hole so it would slip over the sleeve. This is a different configuration...anyone have this problem? Solution?

I found the sleeve for the rear strut rod was smaller in inner diameter so the bolt would not go through. I read that others found that and simply got it machined out larger...I did.

My car was actually produced 2/92 but I keep finding my car meets 93 specs and part choices. But this series of problems makes me think I got the wrong bushings.

TanquerayG · 08-09-2007, 11:00 PM

I melted out my front strut bar bushings and got ready to "pop in" the bushings. They didn't fit. I looked into getting another set from MR2 Club made by a different manufacturer thinking I had a screw up. I was lucky the parts guy has done this before. He said you need to remove the metal shell inserts that surround the old rubber bushing. NO ONE has every mentioned this in a posting I have read. So I cut them up with a dremel and a cutting wheel, popped them out, and popped in my new bushings.

The MR2 Club guy also said the front control arm situtation with the washer and sleeve being different but measurements on the outside of the set being right was a usual kind of redesign that is nothing to worry about. He said he was aware of this and he knew of people who left out the washer and things still worked fine...although I think it is a bad idea to leave them out intentionally.

Car is back to running and having no problems.

08-06-2007, 01:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
TanquerayG Midnight Mechanic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Boston Area Posts: 65 Thanks: 7 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Energy Suspension Bushings I bought a set of Energy Suspension bushings for all of my suspension on my 93 MR2 Turbo. I found the poly bushing for the front strut rod (bar going forward) is wider (outer diameter) than the bushing shell (inner diameter). What do I do? It is polyurethane so it seems I can't squeeze it in. I am thinking of grinding it down but I don't know a good way...maybe bolt down my grinding wheel and build a moveable mount for the bushing and control its proximty to the wheel and grind it on all sides evenly. I found the inner metal sleeve for the front control arm (bar going left or right) is shorter than the originals but the new big washer that is at one end of the bushing makes it thick enough. But the original had a longer sleeve and the big washer had a larger hole so it would slip over the sleeve. This is a different configuration...anyone have this problem? Solution? I found the sleeve for the rear strut rod was smaller in inner diameter so the bolt would not go through. I read that others found that and simply got it machined out larger...I did. My car was actually produced 2/92 but I keep finding my car meets 93 specs and part choices. But this series of problems makes me think I got the wrong bushings.

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08-09-2007, 11:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
TanquerayG Midnight Mechanic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Boston Area Posts: 65 Thanks: 7 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I melted out my front strut bar bushings and got ready to "pop in" the bushings. They didn't fit. I looked into getting another set from MR2 Club made by a different manufacturer thinking I had a screw up. I was lucky the parts guy has done this before. He said you need to remove the metal shell inserts that surround the old rubber bushing. NO ONE has every mentioned this in a posting I have read. So I cut them up with a dremel and a cutting wheel, popped them out, and popped in my new bushings. The MR2 Club guy also said the front control arm situtation with the washer and sleeve being different but measurements on the outside of the set being right was a usual kind of redesign that is nothing to worry about. He said he was aware of this and he knew of people who left out the washer and things still worked fine...although I think it is a bad idea to leave them out intentionally. Car is back to running and having no problems.