Most cars come stock with rubber suspension bushings. Aftermarket companies such as Rebel Racing offer high tech hard suspension bushings for street and track conditions. Which is better?
I measure how much resistance rubber bushings contribute to the suspension motion and discuss the unpredictable nature of rubber. My suspension bushings are for a Porsche 911, but other cars use similar materials.
I believe all but concourse cars should use bushing like the rebel racing versions I installed. They are easy to install and give a much more predictable suspension with great handling.
Don’t forget the Porsche 356 has solid suspension bushings and they ride great.
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Rebel Racing Front RSR Bushing Set:
Ford Ball joint socket that is cheap but works as seen in this video:
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Below is a table of contents of past episodes 1-35. Click the link below for the rest
www.ahhgaragetime.com/TOC
Intro
Stripped Shell Introduction
1
Drivers Fender Backdate, Unfold short hood edge, Make Signal Box Parts From Flat Sheet
2
Drivers Fender Signal Box, Shape Bottom Portion w/ Bead Roller
3
Drivers Fender Side Patch Panel Hammerform, TIG Weld Signal Housing
4
Drivers Fender TIG Weld Side Patch Panel, Add signal housing triangle piece
5
Passenger Side Fender Backdate, Additional Content From Driver’s Side
6
Shorthood to Longhood Conversion, Form Outer Skin Edges And Weld On
7
E Wheel and Form Longhood Inner Skin w/ Handormed Strength Rib
8
TIG Weld Outer and Inner Longhood Extension
9
Longhood Front Seal Custom Bracket
10
Rear Backdate, Remove Rear Impact Bumper and Valence
11
Lead Rear Valence Corners, Rear Latch Panel Backdate
12
Hybrid Steel License Plate panel & Fiberglass Rear Bumper, Custom Panel Brackets
13
Custom Aluminum Rear Bumperettes, Solidworks Design, Cut on CNC machine, Rear Flare Trial Fit
14
Form and TIG Weld Custom Rear Aluminum Bumperettes, Rear Bumper Complete
15
SC to RS Flare Comparison, Photoshop & Sheetmetal Conversion to RS
16
Tack Weld Passenger Side RS Rear Flare, Remove Undercoat, Align Flare
17
Weld Passenger Side Flare, TIG VS MIG, Planishing, Weld Distortion, TIG Arc shots
18
Align Body Panels, Hood gaps, Adjust tub with dumbell, Repair Rocker, gap tool, Windshield fit check
19
Fill 20+ Holes, Mirror, Washer Jets, Rockers, Gas Filler, Antenna,
20
Remove Rear Window without cutting seal, Kick Method
I’ve got all poly bronze bushings from elephant racing. The whole car is Elephant Racing, Smart Racing Products, with a little rennline mixed in. My car is never done either. It’s been evolving for over 20 years.
Great class room tech show …. Yeah I did this to my 79 Targa but instead used Elephant poly bushings … Oh and I did my install in 2003, good upgrade … I may be older but have new fashion ways.
Great explanation! Thanks.
Very interesting info.
Your son gets props for playing RHCPs
Excellent. What is your data capture set-up and software.
Hi Tom, not to long ago I ordered Rennline transmission and engine mounts from UK website called "Design 911 UK". When they arrived I was pretty pissed off. They'd sent me "Rebel Racing" mounts, which aren't even advertised on their site, so I immediately sent them back. You could see they where quite nice quality, but the name put me right off, sounds like a boy racer product. So I looked into it, only to find that some of these products are the same but branded and anodised differently. What are you thoughts ? Are they actually developed and made in the USA ? As there are a lot of Chinese copy products out there too, that these websites are obviously earning a fortune from. So are companies like, Rennline, Elephant Racing, Stomski Racing and Rebel Racing, who sell expensive items, are they who they say they are ? If so why are they coping some of each others products? Bare in mind I'm no engineer, I'm a carpenter.
Beenw watching your videos for a while. Also been on the hunt for project. Been checking the ushally spots samba pelican craiglsts and so on if you have any pointers I would love to know.
The proper way to measure NVH is with accelerometers not load cells, you go for a ride and you record the vibration level, thats the way to measure structural noise. You can also measure the noise level with a microfone so you can compare airborne noise as well.
Tom, is it your conclusion that this is a worthy replacement for both street and track since there is no downside? Excellent analyse for folks who just like to know.
If nothing else, the Rebel Racing bushings look amazing. I put Elephant on my last car, same principle of the sleeve that gets glued on and rides on a poly bush. The difference is they don't have their own custom housing like the rebel do.
I might have to get me some of those in the future. Thanks for going above and beyond explain this to us.
Great comparison! I have spherical ball bearings just like this replacing the bushings in the Orange 914 Turbo. I noticed an incredible difference in how smooth and compliant the ride is. The initial harsh movement of the rubber bushing is gone and replaced with immediate movement and feedback. Not a daily driver mod, but a street/track/canyon car absolutely.
I used del-a-lume (delrin) bushings on my lower control arms. I agree with your assessment of ride quality not being harsh due to rigid bushings. The suspension articulated smoother with the tougher material. The factory rubber bushings actually add spring rate due to the twisting of the rubber bushing.
Time to wear a white lab coat and glasses when you do your videos. All the technical information provided…
RSR is great, Clint has been a big help with my 83 SC. These will be going on my car also!
Upgrade sway bar bushings, and blast and powder coat frame while your doing all this work???
this one was tough for me to grasp. had to go back and review my ‘anatomy’ of the front suspension and rewatch the video a few times. i’m guessing that’s a pricey upgrade.
one of your best. thanks.
Great vid and explanation but wheres the comparison test?? Also for those also considering Elephants, what are the compliance factors there?