5MT subframe poly bushings

Rallitek started offering these recently:

Rallitek's Ploy Bushing Sale for 5MT

Many people here have had problems with a growling noise when it is cold coming from the rear end of the car:

Growling noise in rear when cold thread

These are things I have done to try and get rid of the noise:

Stiffer engine mounts - helped a bit

WhiteLine Diff inserts - I don't know if they did anything much

These bushing didn't help either.

They are a lot stiffer then the super flexible OEM rubber bushings. I can't imagine them not being a good idea for a track car, especially if you have the STI trans mount (which I have). They do however increase NVH levels, you can definitely hear the transmission more. I am not sure if I will keep them in or not. I suppose one could use any combination of some rubber bushings and some poly ones.

Install was pretty easy, took about 30 mins:

Since I can't read Japanese, and it seems all the instructions for everything are in Japanese, I took a few pics to help you guys out:

-two 17mm bolts come out (I hate Subaru Gorillas!)

-two 14mm bolts come out

-two 14mm nuts come off

-then the whole unit will come off the car

-two more 14mm nuts come off to finish taking things apart

The unit out of the car:

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg194/littlebluegt/IMG_3038.jpg

The two inserts that should be done when subframe is off of car:

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg194/littlebluegt/IMG_3039.jpg

The front bushings are both thin:

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg194/littlebluegt/IMG_3042.jpg

The rear has one thick bushing:

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg194/littlebluegt/IMG_3043.jpg

The new bushings are all the same size (but it still works):

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg194/littlebluegt/IMG_3044.jpg

That is why they give you two shorter bolt sleeves:

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg194/littlebluegt/IMG_3045.jpg

How they go together (if you can't figure this out, you shouldn't do this):

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg194/littlebluegt/IMG_3047.jpg

Pics from under the car (it was cold outside):

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg194/littlebluegt/IMG_3052.jpg

http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg194/littlebluegt/IMG_3053.jpg

Put anti-seize on everything.

Thanks for the thorough write-up and pics. Do these bushings increase NVH as much as the STI trans mount?

If you decide these give you too much NVH increase maybe you'd want to experiment by swapping back the stock trans mount and keeping these bushings in.

Thanks for the thorough write-up and pics. Do these bushings increase NVH as much as the STI trans mount?

 

If you decide these give you too much NVH increase maybe you'd want to experiment by swapping back the stock trans mount and keeping these bushings in.

I didn't really notice any increase in NVH with the STI trans mount.

Stock trans mount is way to flexible to leave while putting in these bushings. The logical first mod is to put in the STI trans mount, then if you want put in these bushings.

I can't say the NVH is horrible. But I am not sure yet if I will keep them in.

The nice thing about them is they are cheap, and the time it takes to put them in is very small, so not a big loss if you decide to revert to stock.

LBGT, I have a full suite of bushings to put in next spring: Kartboy front shifter bushings, rear stay, linkage bushings, crossmember bushings, grp.N 5MT mount, and WL steering rack bushings. *phew* I'm assuming it makes the most sense to do the all at once, labor-wise, even though I won't be able to discern the biggest contributors to NVH.

My question for you is regarding the shorter bolt sleeves... My crossmember bushings did not come with any. Do you know what ID x OD x Length I will need so I can source some from McMaster or make some?

LBGT, I have a full suite of bushings to put in next spring: Kartboy front shifter bushings, rear stay, linkage bushings, crossmember bushings, grp.N 5MT mount, and WL steering rack bushings. *phew* I'm assuming it makes the most sense to do the all at once, labor-wise, even though I won't be able to discern the biggest contributors to NVH.

 

My question for you is regarding the shorter bolt sleeves... My crossmember bushings did not come with any. Do you know what ID x OD x Length I will need so I can source some from McMaster or make some?

I can measure it if you want. But the OEM bushings are the same, except longer. You could cut them in about 5 mins.

If you want to be able to re-use the OEM pieces just say so, and I will measure them next time I am in the garage.

I'll reuse the OEM pieces and cut them with a hacksaw. How much shorter do you think they need to be?

OEM has 4 bushing total. The shorter ones are the length you need all 4 to be.

You will figure it out, super easy!

LBGT, I have a full suite of bushings to put in next spring: Kartboy front shifter bushings, rear stay, linkage bushings, crossmember bushings, grp.N 5MT mount, and WL steering rack bushings. *phew* I'm assuming it makes the most sense to do the all at once, labor-wise, even though I won't be able to discern the biggest contributors to NVH.

 

My question for you is regarding the shorter bolt sleeves... My crossmember bushings did not come with any. Do you know what ID x OD x Length I will need so I can source some from McMaster or make some?

becareful with those front shifter bushings. I installed them with my kartboy short throw shifter. They made my trany hum and the car hard to shift. I think it misaligned the shifter. Sort of like if you have your car in gear and push it to the side or drive with your hand on the shifter. It will wear out the trany in the long run. I my shifter feel tight enough just adding the STS.