Second Subframe Bushing Installation

    Untill recently there was only polyurethane bushings avaliable for the front 2 mounting points of the rear subframe.  Now, Super Pro offers polyurethane bushings for the rear 2 mounts also.   The installation is relatively easy and should be the finishing touch for anyone looking for the ultimate in handling and control of their MK2 Supra, Cressida, or GT-S Celica. 

    This kit is avaliable from Super Pro bushings, the part number is SPF2926K.  I reccomend ordering these from George at RaptorRacing.com, he is the one responsible for making this kit a reality.  Here is a picture of what Is included in the kit. 

    The first step of installing these bushings is to get the car supported with jackstands.  You will need to support the rear of the car in a way that you are probably not used to becuase both the front and rear subframe will need to be able to move.  I reccommend placing the jackstands on the frame rail just forward of the front part of the subframe where the control arms are attatched as shown in the picture below.

    The next step is to unbolt the shocks from the lower shock mounts, this requires a 14mm socket.  The wheels do not need to be removed though they are in this process for photography reasons and easier access, it is up to you if you want to or not.

    At this point you may want to unbolt the axles at either the inboard and outboard joints.  Once things start coming apart they have a tendency to pop out of the differential housing and they can sometimes be difficult to pop back in.  You can always unbolt them later and hammer the axle stub back into the differential if it comes out, its up to you which you would rather do.

    Next you will unbolt the rear swaybar to subframe brackets, there  are 4 12mm bolts here.  You may leave the swaybar attatched to the control arms.

    Next, locate the 2 bolts at the top of the differential housing that are holding the differential to the rearmost subframe.  These bolts have tabs welded to the heads to keep them from spinning.  Put a 19mm wrench or socket on the nut side which is towards the front of the car and remove the nuts.  Leave the bolts in place to hold the differential for now.

    Now place your floor jack below the differential under the drain plug and lift it untill it just touches the differential. Now unbolt the 2 large bolts that hold the rear subframe to the car.  Slowly lower the jack and allow the whole subframe and differential to droop a few inches.

    Now you can pull out the 2 bolts from the top of the differential that you took the nuts off of earlier.  After that you should be able to lift the subframe up off the differential.  The studs coming out of the body can be pushed up and moved around if you need more clearance.  Once the subframe is out of the car this is what you should have.

    The next step is to take the subframes to a good workbench or work area and get the old bushings out of it. My preferred method is to support the subframe in a vice and use a 2 or 3 arm gear puller to press them out.  Set it up like the picture below and start turning.

    After you get a good bit of pressure on it the bushing and shell should begin to pop out.  It will not be a smooth process but a series of pops to get it out.  Here it is starting to come out with the inner and outer shell intact.

    Finally once it is all out this is what it looks like.  Repeat this process for the other side and then you will be ready to begin reinstalling everything.

    Clean the bushing pockets and lube them up well with the included grease pack.

    Lube the outside of the large bushings by themselves with the same grease and press them all the way in by hand.

    Next grease up the inside of the bushing and the outside of the metal sleeve and press it in by hand. Here it is just starting to slide in.

    Once you have the new bushings and sleeves in place on both ends take the subframe back to the car, dont forget to bring the 2 small donut bushings with you. Slide the subframe back into place over the differential mount and slide in the 2 bolts with the tabs on them to hold it in place. Put the donut bushings on top of the subframe between the subframe and the body and guide the studs back into place inside the sleeves.

    Jack the differential and subframe back upuntill the bushings touch the body and attatch the large solid washers and bolts to hold the subframe in.  Put the nuts on the bolts between the subframe and differential and tightem them down too.

    Next reattach the swaybar to the subframe.  The shocks to the lower control arms, and the axle flange nuts if you removed them earlier.  Go over everything and make sure all the hardware is tight and in place and youre all done!

Send an e-mail to george@raptorracing.com for avaliability and ordering info and tell him I sent you!

Any questions or comments should be adressed to wjh@ufl.edu