Energy Suspension compression rod bushing installed
08-02-2011, 12:44 PM
#1
Energy Suspension compression rod bushings installed
After the SPL ones started making noise after about a year I put in OEM ones only to have the driver side rip apart literally the first week and immediately started getting severe uneven tire wear. I installed the ES ones just now and they feel just as the SPL ones did but I expect these to last a very long time. I pressed them in by hand and I let them sit in the freezer before installing them.
One thing that I didn't know installing these is where to apply the grease/silicone I got with them so I only applied some to the inside of the bushing and on the metal sleeve that goes inside.
Does anyone know if I am suppose to apply the grease on the inside of the compression rod and on the outside area of the bushings that goes inside the compression rod? I didn't do that because I thought that it has to be solid in there and not move at all. But I see that as the arm flexes the bushing comes in and out of the compression rod slightly, so I don't know what to think...
Figured I could leave it and just spray some silicone in there if it makes noise? Maybe that attracts dirt?
Pics.
One thing that I didn't know installing these is where to apply the grease/silicone I got with them so I only applied some to the inside of the bushing and on the metal sleeve that goes inside.
Does anyone know if I am suppose to apply the grease on the inside of the compression rod and on the outside area of the bushings that goes inside the compression rod? I didn't do that because I thought that it has to be solid in there and not move at all. But I see that as the arm flexes the bushing comes in and out of the compression rod slightly, so I don't know what to think...
Figured I could leave it and just spray some silicone in there if it makes noise? Maybe that attracts dirt?Pics.
Last edited by Andrei; 08-02-2011 at 01:12 PM.
08-02-2011, 12:48 PM
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seems like if you're lowered, those would put alotta stress on other parts unlike the SPL bushings that are basically just heim joints. You couldn't just grease the spl's? or spray silicone sealant on em??
10-06-2011, 02:55 PM
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that's sorta why urethane isnt a good material for this location
the factory rubber is soft, but that softness is what allows the arm to move the way it needs to. The SPL works because of it's 2 part design. The urethane, being as hard as it is, ends up causing the arm to bind. Too new to know long term effects. I was at the point where I need to redo my compression rod bushings but willl end up doing stock ones again
the factory rubber is soft, but that softness is what allows the arm to move the way it needs to. The SPL works because of it's 2 part design. The urethane, being as hard as it is, ends up causing the arm to bind. Too new to know long term effects. I was at the point where I need to redo my compression rod bushings but willl end up doing stock ones again
01-31-2012, 10:24 PM
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Might just be me, but the Energy compression rod bushings feel to be a little softer in durometer than the Energy LCA bushings.
Im just basing this by hand...I could be completely wrong
Im just basing this by hand...I could be completely wrong
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02-06-2012, 06:59 PM
#10
Very interesting post!
I have a G35 sedan. When the car was still riding on stock suspension, I changed to SPL compression rod bushings + Whiteline LCA bushings all at once. I installed the SPL compression bushings WITHOUT the black rubber O-ring supplied by SPL.
The car was completely silent, there was no clunking from the SPL compression bushings, no squeaks, no creaking sounds. It was dead silent.
A couple months later, I lowered my car with Bilstein shocks and springs, the car immediately squeaked and creaked and knocked over every unevenness. I could hear the SPL compression bushings causing a banging sound. I explained this to SPL and they sent me a set of O-rings. While the O-rings did significantly reduce the knocking sound coming from the heim joint compression bushings, it was still squeaking over road unevenness and from the steering wheel turning.
One thing I notice is that although the SPL bushings are heim joints, they still bind when the car is lowered to a certain height. My compression arm is currently binding.
I will be looking into replacing my SPL compression rod bushings soon to something like ES.
I notice that my SPL endlinks are quite badly rusted. I might have to go back to stock once the rust starts to wear out the spherical bushings.
I have a G35 sedan. When the car was still riding on stock suspension, I changed to SPL compression rod bushings + Whiteline LCA bushings all at once. I installed the SPL compression bushings WITHOUT the black rubber O-ring supplied by SPL.
The car was completely silent, there was no clunking from the SPL compression bushings, no squeaks, no creaking sounds. It was dead silent.
A couple months later, I lowered my car with Bilstein shocks and springs, the car immediately squeaked and creaked and knocked over every unevenness. I could hear the SPL compression bushings causing a banging sound. I explained this to SPL and they sent me a set of O-rings. While the O-rings did significantly reduce the knocking sound coming from the heim joint compression bushings, it was still squeaking over road unevenness and from the steering wheel turning.
One thing I notice is that although the SPL bushings are heim joints, they still bind when the car is lowered to a certain height. My compression arm is currently binding.
I will be looking into replacing my SPL compression rod bushings soon to something like ES.
I notice that my SPL endlinks are quite badly rusted. I might have to go back to stock once the rust starts to wear out the spherical bushings.
02-06-2012, 07:28 PM
#11
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guys who have the SPL compression rod bushings and are lowered tend to get that knocking noise and score the compression rod bushing's race.
solution is to machine the spacers to increase articulation angle without binding.
Here's a pic of what another member did [dont know this member's name]
We currently offer the option of machining the SPL spacers for our customers
solution is to machine the spacers to increase articulation angle without binding.
Here's a pic of what another member did [dont know this member's name]
We currently offer the option of machining the SPL spacers for our customers
02-07-2012, 07:06 PM
#14
guys who have the SPL compression rod bushings and are lowered tend to get that knocking noise and score the compression rod bushing's race.
solution is to machine the spacers to increase articulation angle without binding.
Here's a pic of what another member did [dont know this member's name]
We currently offer the option of machining the SPL spacers for our customers
solution is to machine the spacers to increase articulation angle without binding.
Here's a pic of what another member did [dont know this member's name]
We currently offer the option of machining the SPL spacers for our customers
Would be interested in this if it solves the noise issue.
02-08-2012, 05:08 AM
#15
^ I'll let you know at some point. I just bought a set of arms with the SPL bushings from L-Fab. He is going to machine them similar to the ones in that pic. I already have some clunking from what I believe is coming from my worn OEM bushings. Once I get them swapped, I'll report back.
02-08-2012, 01:05 PM
#16
The machined spacers will definitely reduce the amount of knocking noises for medium to big suspension travels on moderately lowered cars.
Another sound I hear lately is metal creaking sound coming from the SPL compression bushings. The sound is not a squeaking sound from worn bearings, nor clunking from the spacers hitting the face of the bushing. It is a very distinctive creaking sound that sounds like metal going under stress. I hear this sound not from bumps or road unevenness. I hear it only during braking (near to a stop) when the SPL compression bushings are under stress.
Another sound I hear lately is metal creaking sound coming from the SPL compression bushings. The sound is not a squeaking sound from worn bearings, nor clunking from the spacers hitting the face of the bushing. It is a very distinctive creaking sound that sounds like metal going under stress. I hear this sound not from bumps or road unevenness. I hear it only during braking (near to a stop) when the SPL compression bushings are under stress.
02-17-2012, 10:37 AM
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As some of you know from before I ordered my set of ES and I'm still waiting to get them installed. However, in talking to my shop about some of my initial concerns regarding the noise etc, this is what they said in response:
With most of the uprated suspention bushings I have seen some squeeking and noise. You are basically tightening up the front end, whenever you tighten anything up like that you will run the risk of more noise. I personally think that you will prefer the tighter suspention over a few parking lot creeks. Also I really like the SPL over the white line/ energy suspension style.
sorry I missed your call,
PS. your exhaust will drown out any strange noises anyways
Followed up quickly with a qualifier:
BTW. honestly I would do a combo between whiteline and spl to get the best of both worlds.
Compression rods - SPL
Lower control arm bushings - Whiteline
but it still may have some noise.
just my opinion
Anyway- just trying to get some other information out there for those who had mentioned they might be waiting for my evaluation before they commit to some of their own. I'm SERIOUSLY considering going the route my shop recommends- a lot of that kind of depends on where we're at with costs of other mods they're working on now.
With most of the uprated suspention bushings I have seen some squeeking and noise. You are basically tightening up the front end, whenever you tighten anything up like that you will run the risk of more noise. I personally think that you will prefer the tighter suspention over a few parking lot creeks. Also I really like the SPL over the white line/ energy suspension style.
sorry I missed your call,
PS. your exhaust will drown out any strange noises anyways
Followed up quickly with a qualifier:
BTW. honestly I would do a combo between whiteline and spl to get the best of both worlds.
Compression rods - SPL
Lower control arm bushings - Whiteline
but it still may have some noise.
just my opinion
Anyway- just trying to get some other information out there for those who had mentioned they might be waiting for my evaluation before they commit to some of their own. I'm SERIOUSLY considering going the route my shop recommends- a lot of that kind of depends on where we're at with costs of other mods they're working on now.
