jct

i think its been about 5 years since i had 'em installed and on monday i managed to kill the driver side bushings

pics don't lie

driver side




had to burn/melt/pry 'em off (passenger side)


these were/are grade 8 bolts


rusted on washers


had to use a punch to get the lil f-ers off so i could remove the bolts



long story short i reinstalled my OE endlink bushings from 5 years ago back onto my car...

don't think i'll be going back polyurethane bushings any time soon

speedy000

iTrader: (2)

i was always skeptical about these bushing things...espeically the kit for your WHOLE car. not only is it a PITA to swap them all these pics r proof that its GAH-BAGE!

tCb00b

iTrader: (1)

Looks like they did their job. How long do you expect high performance bushings to last? They look a little dry rotted. How often did you lube them?

BlueSleeper

He it totally right. 5 years is great for performance bushings. Didn't look like you lubed and maintained them at all. Thats a lot of corrosion. I expected the bolt to be in better shape.

user 7208230

iTrader: (1)

Who's better than Energy than?

BlueSleeper

Whiteline performance bushings are just as good

user 7208230

iTrader: (1)

or just as bad? If we're comparing them to Energy that look like petrified donuts (granted it's 5 years later, but who knows when they started to break down).

BlueSleeper

Just as bad??? Umm hello performance bushings arent supposed to last forever. Stock bushings at 5 years are just as bad. How does this picture prove its bad? It all depends the driving conditions, how hard you drive and abuse it. All things break down over time.

user 7208230

iTrader: (1)

Easy Blue, easy. That was more of a question than trying to make a point or being sarcastic. I've never had "performance" bushings nor seen my OEM ones (that are at that age) to know what they are supposed to look like. I really was curious what brand is good because I really need to upgrade on mine, probably engine mounts too, I get engine lurch like a SOB and would like to firm things up - don't plan on having the tC too much longer. I'll look at those too, there's another brand that I've heard of also...can't think of the name off the top of my head though.

BlueSleeper

If your getting rid of the tc. just replace the bushings with stock ones

user 7208230

iTrader: (1)

Hmm...that's true. Probably wont be for a year or so, if a poly one would be an improvement over stock I'd rather do that, probably the same cost.

jct

never knew i had to lube 'em every now any then oh well got me out of going to work which was a plus

jct

so your saying i should replace all my rubber bushings on my car every 5 years?

Reactor

Even if your car drives perfect but you replaced bearings, bushings and balljoints at 100K miles you would be amazed how different that would make it feel. Everything wears out.

jct

just wish all the tc owners would quit trolling the xa/xb forums

vettereddie

Sorry I don't have pics, but when I bought a used 2004 xB back in 2009 w/ 110k on it all the bushings needed replacing, so 5 years seems to be the limit. I couldn't even pass inspection to transfterr the title until they got swapped. Replaced w/ OEM though.

jct

05sciko

definatly agree that they werent serviced and from the looks of the bolt you are a northerner. road salt is a killer on all metal and poly parts. you shouldnt expect those to last long at all if you dont regularly lube and wash the salt and corrosives off of them. i have a 20 year old jeep and there are bolts on it that arent as corroded and pitted as those bolts. energy suspension is a great brand and i back them 100%. ive taken care of my poly and have never had to replace them. also had them on four of my vehicles. just sayin.....

jct

not a northern but a middler

05sciko

lol well anything above mason/dixon is north!