Suspension bushings questions
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 73
Likes: 5
Sounds like a fun upgrade. I haven’t done this yet but having read through the forums, Elephant Racing bushings appear to be popular.
see these threads:
https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...-bushings.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...monoballs.html
- ER have stock and sport hardness options.
- Bill V’s post details which bushings on the front and rear arms have harder compound to emulate the RS suspension setup.
- I think he also also made the point perhaps in another thread that you may want to consider replacing the rear arms entirely because the ball joints are not replaceable unlike the front control arms which are separate ball joints.
- Depending on your driving conditions and goals you will likely read varying opinions on the benefit of replacing the bushings.
see these threads:
https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...-bushings.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...monoballs.html
- ER have stock and sport hardness options.
- Bill V’s post details which bushings on the front and rear arms have harder compound to emulate the RS suspension setup.
- I think he also also made the point perhaps in another thread that you may want to consider replacing the rear arms entirely because the ball joints are not replaceable unlike the front control arms which are separate ball joints.
- Depending on your driving conditions and goals you will likely read varying opinions on the benefit of replacing the bushings.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,182
Likes: 339
From: Santa Cruz, CA
What's your intended use? Track day tool, daily driver? Sunday canyon carver? Auto cross? All of the above?
why do you think you need an upgrade?
the stock suspension Porsche came up with is quite excellent for a spirited street car, any upgrades you do will trade off comfort for NVH. Do you like to drive with your significant other?
If you are on stock 20yr old suspension then you are not experiencing what the car should feel like and most likely, the car drives worse than a Ford Pinto.
You need to tell us what you have and what you want to get any useful responses. I'd suggest getting a 993 wise alignment shop to give you an inspection of your current suspension, read the many detailed and experienced threads here on rennlist and come back with your objectives for the car and you will get some excellent advise.
(edit) yes you need an alignment after replacing bushings.
why do you think you need an upgrade?
the stock suspension Porsche came up with is quite excellent for a spirited street car, any upgrades you do will trade off comfort for NVH. Do you like to drive with your significant other?
If you are on stock 20yr old suspension then you are not experiencing what the car should feel like and most likely, the car drives worse than a Ford Pinto.
You need to tell us what you have and what you want to get any useful responses. I'd suggest getting a 993 wise alignment shop to give you an inspection of your current suspension, read the many detailed and experienced threads here on rennlist and come back with your objectives for the car and you will get some excellent advise.
(edit) yes you need an alignment after replacing bushings.
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 86
Likes: 8
Hey Ian,
Should have done bushings five years ago (12,000 miles ) when I upgraded to ROW M030 with Bilstein B8's.
Use is primarily "carving" without the canyons in Florida with 1 or 2 track days a year.
Thanks
Should have done bushings five years ago (12,000 miles ) when I upgraded to ROW M030 with Bilstein B8's.
Use is primarily "carving" without the canyons in Florida with 1 or 2 track days a year.
Thanks
Trending Topics
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 619
From: Marco Island, FL and sometimes New Jersey
Changing out the 20 year old rubber in the suspension will make a huge difference.
I installed Walrod bushings on my last 993 which made a noticeable improvement.
My current car has monoballs instead of rubber - I didn’t install them (bought the car this way) but they are a fantastic. The car is precise.
Do the engine mounts too if still original.
Good luck.
/
I installed Walrod bushings on my last 993 which made a noticeable improvement.
My current car has monoballs instead of rubber - I didn’t install them (bought the car this way) but they are a fantastic. The car is precise.
Do the engine mounts too if still original.
Good luck.
/
Last edited by fatmike; Oct 1, 2019 at 09:55 AM.
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
Porsche's Top 5 Most Questionable Naming Decisions
Verdad Gallardo
Pogea Racing's 964 Porsche 911 Reimagination Stands Out in a Crowded Field
Verdad Gallardo
6 Convertible Top MYTHS Most People Don't Understand!
Michael S. Palmer
2026 Porsche 911 Club Coupe is Spectacular, And Everything Wrong with the Porsche Market
Joe Kucinski
Talos Takes Your 991 Porsche 911 GT3 to the Next Level for a Cool $1.13 Million
Verdad Gallardo
9 Vehicles Porsche Helped Engineer that Aren't Porsches
Verdad Gallardo
9 Features and Characteristics That Only Porsche People Understand
Verdad Gallardo
I've Written 500 Rennlist Articles: Here's How Porsche Has Changed Along the Way
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Unnecessary Porsches Ever Built (And Why We Love Them)
Verdad Gallardo
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 927
Likes: 780
From: Toscana, Italia
If I remember well, I changed the bushings in the front A-arms using the ones provided by FVD, which are the ones with 85 rubber shore, from what I read so far, very probably the ones used onto the CUP version (RS M002 and M003 had 65 rubber shore).
My front A-arms where not 23 y.o. but just 6, but I can distinctively feel the car is harder and preciser than before.
I didn't change just the bushings, but upgraded from M030 sways to RS adjustable ones, with PSS10 at softer position the before/after is however evident: the front was already very firm and precise, on the limit for my taste regarding driving comfort on the street, now that limit has been definitely overcome, but I mainly use the car for fun, so it is perfect.
My front A-arms where not 23 y.o. but just 6, but I can distinctively feel the car is harder and preciser than before.
I didn't change just the bushings, but upgraded from M030 sways to RS adjustable ones, with PSS10 at softer position the before/after is however evident: the front was already very firm and precise, on the limit for my taste regarding driving comfort on the street, now that limit has been definitely overcome, but I mainly use the car for fun, so it is perfect.
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,547
Likes: 1,159
From: Nashville
FWIW - I have a set of the Elephant stuff on the way (front/rear for front control arms). Did the motor mounts (OE RS mounts) last month. Slowly but surely replacing every part on the car, it feels like. I'll post results after I get the work done inc. new alignment.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 189
From: Norcal
The suspension overhaul is a great maintenance and upgrade project.
Fresh rubber bushings everywhere like the sport/RS bushings from elephant, stiffer ARBs like the m030s, digressive valved shocks like the PSS10s, ball joints that are tight, fresh tires, and a correct alignment is a night and day experience.
My current project which was an ex de car, while has nice suspension components is tired and drives noticeably worse than my sorted blue car, as the rubber components have aged out and the shock technology has improved since they were first introduced with the car.
At the end of the day suspension is subjective, as to some it is too soft and others too harsh. If you have an opportunity, try and drive a car with the upgrades you have in mind and determine it is for you or not to see how far you want to refurbish and upgrade.
Fresh rubber bushings everywhere like the sport/RS bushings from elephant, stiffer ARBs like the m030s, digressive valved shocks like the PSS10s, ball joints that are tight, fresh tires, and a correct alignment is a night and day experience.
My current project which was an ex de car, while has nice suspension components is tired and drives noticeably worse than my sorted blue car, as the rubber components have aged out and the shock technology has improved since they were first introduced with the car.
At the end of the day suspension is subjective, as to some it is too soft and others too harsh. If you have an opportunity, try and drive a car with the upgrades you have in mind and determine it is for you or not to see how far you want to refurbish and upgrade.
Last edited by samurai_k; Oct 6, 2019 at 11:51 AM.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 5,464
Likes: 31
From: Oregon
Changing out the 20 year old rubber in the suspension will make a huge difference.
I installed Walrod bushings on my last 993 which made a noticeable improvement.
My current car has monoballs instead of rubber - I didn’t install them (bought the car this way) but they are a fantastic. The car is precise.
Do the engine mounts too if still original.
Good luck.
/
I installed Walrod bushings on my last 993 which made a noticeable improvement.
My current car has monoballs instead of rubber - I didn’t install them (bought the car this way) but they are a fantastic. The car is precise.
Do the engine mounts too if still original.
Good luck.
/
https://rennlist.com/forums/market/1162917
Last edited by nine9six; Oct 6, 2019 at 04:59 PM.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,168
Likes: 672
From: northern california
I have elephant bushings but I went standard, not sport. Why? Yes I drive under all conditions listed (ie, spirited driving, track, etc) but also want to take the misses out to dinner in comfort. Something to consider. Sometimes going a standard route is necessary. Car has 145k miles. Did the bushings at 120k. Replaced originals.