Project FD RX7 Restomod: Part 21 – Suspension Refresh with SuperPro USA polyurethane bushings.

FD RX-7 SuperPro USA polyurethane bushing

When the SuperPro USA bushings were installed in this manner, as per the instructions and similar to OEM, the upper control arm did not want to easily fit back into the mounting brackets on the chassis.  They could be forced into the mounting tabs, but the arms did not move freely.

The SuperPro USA bushings have a 6mm thick outer flange while the inner part of the bushing is 9mm thick.  Compared to stock, the SuperPro has a thinner outer bushing (with a big flange) and a thicker inner bushing.  This is why the upper arm has this outer gap, and was pressing into the inner mounting bracket.

FD RX-7 front upper control arm vapor blasted SuperPro USA polyurethane bushingWe pressed the bushing out and installed them backwards where the large diameter, thin flange is now on the inside of the control arm, with the thicker part of the bushing on the outer part of the control arm.

FD RX-7 front upper control arm SuperPro USA polyurethane bushingsIn this backwards orientation, the arms fit perfectly into the mounting brackets on the chassis with no resistance.  Before installing the upper control arm bushings, measure the thickness of these flanges.  If the big diameter is thinner like we had, install them backwards from the instructions and they will fit better without binding.  This upper control arm was the only one that was unique like this.

FD RX-7 front subframeWhile the front control arms were off the car, we removed the front subframe to be powder coated.  We were really happy with the results of the powder coated rear subframe in Part 16, and had to match the front.

FD RX-7 front subframe powdercoated specialized coatingsWe took the front subframe to Specialized Coatings in Huntington Beach, CA.  They did another amazing job with this front subframe finished in Dark Grey Sparkle.

4 comments

  1. What is the overall goal for this car, Billy? You are putting so much money into it that you might never drive it to avoid scratches! Everything is top notch and I enjoy reading every installment.

    1. The car is being built to be driven and to share the rotary platform to a new group of people and to demonstrate that with proper engineering, they can be reliable and extremely high performers. The car will be tracked and taken to many events. This is not going to be a show car or garage queen.

    2. It is done as a well balanced reliable car and this and what we did to our STI are examples of what it takes to do it right.

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