[WadeT]

Howdy folks. I need some advice about some of parts I'm about to order.
The reason I ask here is I haven't been able to speak to anyone in person because most of these shops back-east are closed by the time I get off work.

1) Anyone ever heard of Energy Suspension Bushings? I see them on Cyberauto.com. Yes, I did see the PST thread but again can't get ahold of anyone there.

2) How long does it take to recieve Addco sway bars from the time you order them? What I mean is, is there a manufacture time involved or is it just shipping? Do they come with special bushings?

3) Same goes for ST springs... how long to they take?

4) Are the Koni rear shocks still available? If so, how are they compare to KYBs or Tokicos?

5) Anyone have any pics of the Cusco front and rear strut bars? Yes, I've seen the LJM bars and I don't like them.

6) Is there anything else I should replace while I've got the suspension torn apart? Oh, I'm also replacing the wheel bearings & seals (getting from Toyota). Brakes will have to come later when I get wheels.

Thanks,
wt

 

[Supra Bob]

I've heard of Energy Suspension Bushings. Had a set on a Camaro, and I tihnk you would be better served by getting the PST bushings... The E.S.B.'s I had sqeeked like crazy, but I've never heard a set of PST's sqeek even once.

As for the springs and sway bars. Its just shipping time. no manufacture time involved. As a side note that you probably already know, the ST's are available at jcwhitney.com for like $80.00 a pair.

The Koni's I saw at Cyberauto.com listed as still available for the rears but not the fronts..

hth

 

[Junkie]

Anyone have any pics of the Cusco front and rear strut bars? Yes, I've seen the LJM bars and I don't like them.

Chris E. has Leslie's old Cusco's. I believe Leslie and Co. decided to make the LJM bar,because the Cusco's weren't stiff enough? What don't you like about the LJM bar?

 

[WadeT]

Bob, thanks for the JC Whitney idea. I ordered my springs from them and saved about $40! If you come to Vegas I owe ya a few beers for that!

Shawn, I just thought the LJM looked bulky. It should be made from Almuminum but after a few emails from Les I'm changing my mind and going LJM, lol.

 

[MkIISuperSupra]

Shawn, I just thought the LJM looked bulky. It should be made from Almuminum but after a few emails from Les I'm changing my mind and going LJM, lol.

LMAO :lol:

The LJM bar is not nearly as "pretty" as the Cusco but pretty wasn't what we were after.

I agree with Wade that they should be made of Aluminum however, the fabricator after a couple of prototypes said that Aluminum just wasn't going to give us the stiffness that we were looking for. We wanted functionality more than anything. And functionality meant a bar that would fit all MKII years and that turned out to be the biggest challenge of all. Part of the bars bulky look comes from making a bar that would fit all year MKII's and work with 5mge, 6mge and 7mgte's. Between the effort it took to fit the 83's and Jay Balducci's insistance (which I now appreciate) that the bar could not in any way touch his hood blanket....it was quite a challenge. :?

Leslie

 

[Don L.]

Hey Wade, just gotta throw my .02 cents in regarding the LJM front bars.
AWESOME!! I tried my own designs first, 3/4" emt pipe which made a noticeable difference, but obviously not stiff enough. That's when I realized a GOOD bar should essential for my autox. Then I welded my own with 1" box tubing to strut tower brackets. Better, but as Chris E would probably agree, kinda ugly. I finally got a LJM bar at Vegas 2002 thinking it just plain looked better than mine. Well, it worked better too !
Great design, yeah, wish it were lighter for racing, but short of a triangular design that might not clear all motors, this works great for me.
Go with it. You won't be sorry.

Don L.

 

[Supra Bob]

Wade... no problem on the springs Glad to help. What questions do you have about PST's? I'm giving them a call in a few days to ask some of my own and maybe I can relay for ya if ya like.

 

[WadeT]

Don, thanks for sharing your experiences. If you give the LJM The Don L. Seal of Approval then surely it's got to be good. You should write up a mod list of your suspension setup and have a mod sticky it. That way it will be a great reference for those folks trying to improve their MKII handling.

Bob, that would be great. I'm not sure what to ask but if they have a complete replacement bushing set I'd like to know. ESB has them all separately listed for each side/wheel. Any info in PST would treat.

Thanks again.

 

[Supra Bob]

I'll let ya know. It will probably be the middle of next week when I call. I'll post what I find out.

 

[jr85mk2]

I ordered the PST front complete kit and rear control arm bushings from PST just 3 weeks ago. Actually they were very easy to talk to and get the order filled. Total was $207, I believe with free shipping

Front complete kit includes:
2 Lower Ball joints
2 Control arm bushings
2 Outer Tie rods
4 Strut support rod bushings
2 Sway bar end links
2 Sway bar mounts and bushings

Rear control arm bushings:
Inner and outer control arm bushings, 4 total

I have yet to install any of these.

 

[ITSUKI Drifter]

PST bushing

What is the difference about the PST and the ESB???

And where can I order the PST???

 

[Supra Bob]

P-S-T.com

 

[CJSREDPRA]

So many questions......

Wade, as Shawn Pease mentioned, I have the Cusco bars from Leslie's White Toad sitting in the Redpra. I have both the front & the rear bar. LMK if you want to see them one of these days.

As far as the Addco sway bars, ordering them is a major problem, depending on availablity. I "think" you can order them through CyberAuto??? (corrections???). IF THEY ARE OUT, then you're screwed. They won't make anymore, unless someone starts up a GP, and Addco needs a minimum order of 10. They already come with their own polyurethane sway bar bushings, but I can't remember if they come with end link bushings.

ITSUKI drifter: Differences.... Energy Suspension bushings use polyurethane for the bushing material. P-S-T uses polygraphite as bushing material. The polygraphite does not crush as easily as normal rubber, or polyurethane over time. This also translates into a firm suspension feel as well. And they are not noisy like the polyurethane's if you forget to lube them before install.. The polygraphites are "self lubing" during their lifetime. I went w/ the P-S-T kit last year & I'm glad I did it.

And yes, I've seen Don Lew's "homemade" STB in person.... I even have pictures of it...

 

[Crocket]

re: lube

what type of lube is needed for the poly bushings?

Sonny

 

[Don L.]

Hey, at least something under my hood looks nice
If anyone is inclined to go with the Energy Susp bushings, I would at least suggest getting the black units, not the red ones. Not sure but I was told they have some graphite in them so less squeeky. I put the E.S. black bushings in for the rear susp arms and they seem fine. PST seems to have a larger line of bushings for our cars though.

I wouldn't wish my present suspension setup on anyone right now. Not too comfortable for the street. Good for autox and light town driving though. 2 hr drive on freeway and my eyes are still bouncing after I stop.
I'm kinda excited about the Roll Center Adjusters. Should have a set by next week to test out.

Don L.

 

[jr85mk2]

Don,
What are these roll center adjusters you mentioned? Benifits?

Chris and others,
The Addco bars come with end links with poly bushings.

 

[Don L.]

Hi Josh:

A better description in Techn Toys website, Toysport, and Racefiends description in the thread regarding susp measurements he made to see which AE86 Corolla parts might fit our cars. Basically a spacer for lowered cars that goes between the steering knuckle and lower part of strut housing. Usually about 30mm thick, the two mounting bolts for the strut assembly go thru the spacer. If you look at the lower susp arm on the front of our cars, notice that outer end of the arm(near wheel hub) prob is lower to the ground than the inner pivot point of the arm. Even on the cars with Eibachs there is a slight tilt downward. On my car, the arm actually tilts upward. Depending on the initial position of the arm at rest, as the arm swings upward (compressed) the toe setting of front wheel changes (usually toe out develops). In the lower part of the arc, the toe change is smaller, my car is already higher up on the arc swing, any additional compression of susp would cause greater toe changes. Toe changes during cornering hurts response and ultimate grip. Driving down the road in a lowered car, hit a bump, compress the susp, and the car may dart one side or other, due to the sudden dramatic toe change. Books call this Bump Steer when hitting a bump, and call it Roll Steer when hard in a turn. Neither is good to have. I hope it helps my autox car in initial turn in response on corners, and steady state turns, and especially on bumpy autox courses. Once I get the set tested, I'll see if much interest in getting another batch made. Cost around $90 a set.

Don L.

 

[WadeT]

Thanks for the PST list Josh. And thanks to everyone for their input on this. Da parts are now on order.

Oh and Addco has sway bars in stock right now!

-wt

 

[82Spearco]

I ordered the PST front complete kit and rear control arm bushings from PST just 3 weeks ago. Actually they were very easy to talk to and get the order filled. Total was $207, I believe with free shipping

Front complete kit includes:
2 Lower Ball joints
2 Control arm bushings
2 Outer Tie rods
4 Strut support rod bushings
2 Sway bar end links
2 Sway bar mounts and bushings

Rear control arm bushings:
Inner and outer control arm bushings, 4 total

I have yet to install any of these.

I am replacing both front control arms next week (thanks TomD). It makes sense to do the front bushings at the same time. Any guesses on how much additional labor it might be to do the bushings at the same time? Thanks.

 

[82Spearco]

Another question. Which bushings are included when purchasing the Addco sway bars? Are the PST sway bar bushings better or worse than the ones included with the PST front end set? I figure I might as well buy the whole front set, but want to make sure I order bushings for the correct size front sway bar, even if I wait to install them until I get a set of Addcos.