What suspension bushes are the same between the EF3&EF9

[Pnut]

Specifically i am changing the front radius rod bushes on the EF9 and they seem alot looser to install than the ones i changed in my old EF7 on the diameter. Are they the same bush as i am pretty sure BNT have given me the same bushes, and the Noltec site does not list any differences in the EF range at all for these that i can see?

I can't see it being a major, the loads are forwards and backwards, and as the bushes clamp up tight axially and are not sloppy on diameter i am guessing they will still be ok.

Any ideas?

[Chris]

Looking at the EPC, the bushes between EF3 and EF9 are different.

The EF3 uses the same bush on the front and rear side of the crossmember.
Whereas the EF9 lists different part #'s for the front and rear bush, neither of the part numbers for the EF9 match the EF3's radius rod bush part numbers.

The rear EF9 bush matches the part number for the rear bush on a DA5/6/7/8, but the front ones are different.

Also in the diagram, the front & rear bushes appear quite different, can you confirm that? (Front one is like a cone, rear like a block with a step in it)

The retaining discs and centre crush tube are also different part numbers btw EF9 & EF3.

I think when it comes to many front end parts, the EF8 & EF9 are a much closer match to the DA Integra.

[Pnut]

Originally Posted by Chris

Also in the diagram, the front & rear bushes appear quite different, can you confirm that? (Front one is like a cone, rear like a block with a step in it)

The retaining discs and centre crush tube are also different part numbers btw EF9 & EF3.

I think when it comes to many front end parts, the EF8 & EF9 are a much closer match to the DA Integra.

Yeah, they are shaped as you said. Bizarre as it fits together ok and seems to be working just fine

[Pnut]

According to this page there is no distinction between the 2, and EF is an EF

http://www.noltecsuspension.com/honda.htm

[Chris]

Originally Posted by Pnut

According to this page there is no distinction between the 2, and EF is an EF

http://www.noltecsuspension.com/honda.htm

Thats fairly typical of any non OEM parts manuafacturer 'one size fits all models' approach, but the fact that they don't list the bushes for an Integra indicates that they aren't totally suited.

Got to keep in mind that the EDM: EE8 & EE9 and the JDM: EF8 & EF9 were the only VTEC CRX's and Civics, and didn't exist in any other markets.

NOLTEC is Australian, and they didn't get the VTEC 'EF', and there are only quite literally a handfull of JDM imports over there, so no local market.

If they fit as tight as they should and fucntion properly, then its probably not worth worrying about. If I recall from those pics back when you did the ones on your CRX, the design is totally different than Hondas design anyway. :wink:

[disclaimer]But I guess if you do have concerns about them, then perhaps it would pay to err on the side of caution.[/disclaimer]

[Pnut]

yeah i know what you mean, though they are tight and are working better than the factory ones i took out and they are located on diameter even if a tad loose. They are tight in the axiel direction which is where all the loads go (accelerating and braking) as well so will leave them i think, like you say they are totally different design to the factory EF3/EF7 AND the EF8/EF9/DA ones so .

On another note, can you think of any good reason that someone would cut the factory bush and crush tube with a hacksaw? One side the crush tube was cut in 2, looked like with a saw by the markings (not a shear break as you see exposed grain structure then) and the rear rubber boot that is totally different on the EF8/EF9/DA looked like it has been cut as well though in rubber like bushes they can tear to look similar to a cut. Explains why it was pulling under braking

[Chris]

Hmm. sometimes you really don't know what's happened to the car in Japan, and something like this shows how dodgy they can be.

At a guess they may have wanted to alter the caster forward on that side (just a possibility) putting it on a wheel aligner will reveal all.

Either that or somone was just mucking around with it and didn't get around to doing the other side.

If they are a tad loose in diameter, be carefull that the crush tubes won't gradually scrape against the hole in the crossmember and wear apart.

Isn't it nice to know all the things that our "strict compliancing standards" let through.

[Pnut]

check these pics out, you can really see the marks left by the teeth on the saw blade on the outer edge of the rubber

Rear bush front half cut


Rear bush rear half cut


Here is a crap pic of the EF7 bush and the Noltec one which is exactly the same as was given for the EF9. The EF7 factory bush looks very similar to the front EF9 factory bush.

[hobbes]

Question on the kit Pnut, did you have to buy 2 kits to do the car?

It says only 2 bushes per kit, but only one kit per car but you need four bushes all up.

cheers