Now then Chaps!

Looking to completely re-bush the rear end of my Zed shortly. This will include the sub-frame, diff carrier, all rear arms as well as new bottom arm ball joints and possibly the HICAS bushes depending on their condition.

The ES bush sets look the best value for money, my only concern is for the ride quality. I don't mind it firming up a bit, but I don't wish to completely trash the ride.

I'm running OEM springs and shocks and will never uprate the spring or damper rate so that should help.

Can anyone running a fully ES polybush rear end comment on the general quality of ride and handling please.

Also is there any difference in firmness between the colours of the bushes? ES offer red or black.

Any other comments welcomed.

Thanks...:)

i running polly bushes front and rear the full set I have only driving the car round the block as am still working on it I fitted koni dampers and lowering spring the ride now it at not harsher than stock. but if your keeping stock damper spring it wont be so bad atall. its a pretty big job to do them all like have its a lot more work than you think

Thanks Dan, I knew you had done yours, but like you say you've only driven it round the block!

As for the hard work part, I know that too! Thankfully there is a very nice chap on here I can pay to do it for me!:D

Anyone else that's done a few miles on ES bushes?

I rebushed my Civic EG with red ES bushes. Though it no doubt sharpened the handling, it made the ride a bit harsh in comparison to std bushings especially noticeable over rougher tarmac surfaces. I think you can get black ES poly bushings which are a bit more compliant.

 

I have a full set of ES for my Zed and have a fully bushed rear subframe ready to fit but I think the bushes will take the edge off "comfort" when fitted.

my honest opinion yeah it trashes it lol!!!!

I have just read up on ES bushes. Apparently there is no difference in hardness between the two colours.

Interesting comment Car.Mad, so in your opinion the ES bushes ruin the car?

What's the other options?

It's worth noting the statement in bold for the ES rear control arm bushing set on the CZP website:

https://conceptzperformance.com/Cart/description.php?II=606

"These bushings replace entire rear control arms bushings, thus will greatly impact ride quality. For daily driver, we recommend the Nismo Rear control arm bushings set. Nismo have more Cushion and flex then the Polyurethane. This only applies to the rear setup, Front polyurethane bushings do not have the same effect."

Unfortunately the Nismo rear control arm kit is no longer available.

If your that worried about a comfortable ride, then utilise new stock bushes in areas like what Joel has highlighted and avoid rose jointed arms, stay with stock wheels or choose a 17" wheel to retain more sidewall, don't go for harsh coilovers but choose your suspension with your aim in mind. Alternatively you could buy a Jag :P

 

My car is going to be pretty unforgiving, it already is but I've chosen to go that way I'm happy to sacrifice comfort for handling, I don't drive it everyday.

I think "Supaflex" and "Polybush" manufacture in a variety of polyurethane hardness gradings. With softer available for a more compliant ride.

Tbh, I wasn't overly happy with the end result on the civic as I expected it to be both sharp AND comfortable but I had no experience with poly bushes. (My son now has the civic and its lowered on coilovers and adj arms etc - comfort is a memory!

the z needs all the help it can get to make it handle the ride will be a bit harsher but if you z is just for a blast on the week end like mine then who cares

I've replaced a lot of bushes on my old volvo 740 with superflex ones and I haven't noticed any increase in noise or ride harshness.

I've replaced a lot of bushes on my old volvo 740 with superflex ones and I haven't noticed any increase in noise or ride harshness.

 

The hardness of the polyurethane is a factor in noise/harshness transmission.

TBH there seems to be a limited options regarding a full re-bush of our cars. Many of the Nismo bushes are obsolete, the OEM option seems that you'd have to buy the complete arms to get the bushings - not available separately and this means big £.

Other poly bush suppliers don't seem to completely cover the car and are far more expensive.

The ES option certainly covers the whole car and at a very sensible cost too, sadly though there is no apparent hardness options.

Hmmm.

I had my bmw z3 polly bushes all round it made a massive change in the way it handled but was a little more harsh the 300zx needs tighten up its like a big soft jelly with wheels on stock form

Personally, I happen to think they handle quite nicely, especially when you consider the mileage and wear a lot of these cars are now carrying.

I would imagine when they new the whole car would have been noticeably tighter too. The SWB car does seem to add an extra dose of sportiness as well.

I'll probably bite the bullet and fit the full ES rear kit, the front already has new OEM upper & lower arms plus new OEM drop links. The tension rod, steering and Front ARB bushes are new ES items. New track rod ends fitted, that covers the front I think.

I'll always stick to a standard type of spring & shock this should help with the comfort factor.

You can still get Nismo bushes (not the diff ones though) through Japanese online retailers. I've attached a copy of the

Nismo catalog for Z32 suspension bushes which shows part #'s and quantity required per car. RHDJapan is one source.

 

nismo z32 suspension bushes.pdf

I fitted the entire ES set to my car last year although not having driven it yet :( i could instantly tell that it will make it a borderline boneshaker but i knew that and want it as before it was like driving a galleon.

I've got ES diff support bushes and rear subframe bushes, bit stiffer but doesn't bother me.

Whiteline do a full range of bushes that firm up the rear without ruining the ride.

 

I've been a passenger in a fully polly bushed z32. It wasn't something I'd care to do to my own car.

can you buy stock bushes, anyone done it?

Would it be a waste of time butting new stock one one??

Anyone tried the Jap speed ones??

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JAPSPEED-NISSAN-200SX-S13-S14-S15-SKYLINE-R32-R33-R34-300ZX-POLY-SUBFRAME-BUSHES-/151254157249?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Model%3A300+ZX&hash=item23377347c1

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JAPSPEED-NISSAN-200SX-S13-S14-S15-SKYLINE-R32-R33-R34-300ZX-POLY-DIFF-BUSHES-/181351330894?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Model%3A300+ZX&hash=item2a3961b44e

The stock bushes seem to be only available if you buy the complete arms with them already in and this is what makes it so expensive.