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      07-10-2018, 01:18 AM   #1
ANILE8
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Solid Monoball Bushings Front & Back

While the diff was out getting some 4.10 gears, the perfect time was now to do a solid bushing upgrade.!

Got all the parts from TMS and they are very high quality, very impressed.

The job is made MUCH easier with a good quality bearing pulling set and propane torch I strongly recommend you have access to these tools before starting.

As all the parts were installed at the same time it is impossible to tell how much of a difference each part made individually but the overall driving improvement is substantial from stock OEM rubber bushings. Although TMS cautions the use of these parts for track use only, I have not noticed any added NVH after install. Everything in the handling department feels so much tighter and even more immediate that I think it was well worth the upgrade for me. Even at mild street driving speeds, I can notice a huge difference.

Anyone else notice a similar improvement from this upgrade?

Started with the Rear Subframe using solid alloy bushings.





Next, I installed the Monoball Rear Control Arm Upper Inner Bushings.





Proceeding with the Rear Trailing Arm Bushings (RTAB).





Finally, the Monoball Front Control Arm Bushings (FCAB).



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      07-12-2018, 08:03 AM   #2
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I do not have the monoball bushings, but I do have the powerflex bushings practically everywhere, yea this thing handles like crazy now. Before I was kinda drifting and everything felt lose....

Now...I feel cracks in the road...

Do you get road feedback like I do? Sometimes the slightest groove in the road can pull the car.
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      07-15-2018, 02:55 AM   #3
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For me, I first noticed that the response consistency was greatly improved over OEM rubber bushings.

While I was doing this upgrade I also installed a new coilover setup at the same time complete with monoball front camber plates and monoball RSM so the overall sensation of perceived improvement maybe somewhat amplified again over what would otherwise be the case.

In my situation, when I say I did not notice any added NVH, I mean any added NVH that was wildly objectionable to me. Others, owners may find things different.

I am still playing with my coilover's rebound and bump settings to fine tune things and I find this makes a huge difference to how the car reacts with respect to road feel as you can adjust things from unbearably stiff and only track driveable to road compliant and very liveable.
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      07-16-2018, 12:11 AM   #4
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How's the steering feedback with losing some caster from the centered front monoballs? Stock is offset...I like the idea of these for track duty but steering is so perfect on the Z.
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      07-17-2018, 02:18 AM   #5
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I have not noticed any performance loss in going to a centralized bearing vs OEM offset. I always thought the offset bearing advantage here was strange and subjective.

If there is one, I am more than willing to trade that gain for zero deflection under extreme load, improved braking response and no mid-corner alignment changes.
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      07-20-2018, 04:34 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ANILE8 View Post
I have not noticed any performance loss in going to a centralized bearing vs OEM offset. I always thought the offset bearing advantage here was strange and subjective.

If there is one, I am more than willing to trade that gain for zero deflection under extreme load, improved braking response and no mid-corner alignment changes.
Thx
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      03-17-2020, 10:07 PM   #7
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somehow missed this thread.. nice to see the difference is night and day.
exellent work!

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      05-08-2020, 10:54 PM   #8
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How has this setup held up over the years? Strongly considering this upgrade.
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      05-09-2020, 05:32 PM   #9
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No problems to report here.

These are pretty much a one-time replacement item. You will most probably never have to change them out again as they can't wear or split as rubber or poly can and you get better handling, less flex and more precision as a bonus.

I don't see any downsides apart from the initial cost and time component for the install.

Remember to fully grease all the monoballs with some high-quality lube prior to install. Initally I forgot to lube the FCAB monoballs when I first installed them and couldn't work out what the rattle was every time I went over a bump or expansion joint from the front end. I was checking my coilovers over and over thinking I missed something.

Finally, I woke up and pull them out. It is easier to just remove the delrin inserts by hand then smear grease everywhere instead of using the grease nipple.
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      05-10-2020, 04:03 AM   #10
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Which grease did you use?
Thanks for the heads up, was just gonna install as is.. lol..
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      05-10-2020, 04:51 AM   #11
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Just what I had left on my garage shelf.
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      05-13-2020, 02:48 AM   #12
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Sweet, thx man!
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      08-19-2021, 10:13 PM   #13
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I didn't have the guts to go full solid mount. I did a major overhaul to my suspension (coilovers, poly FCABs, OEM+ Front control arms, and monoball rear trailing arms) shortly after getting my 3.0i at 105k miles. The difference was significant and made everything feel much tighter.

In reference to the question about feeling the road and tracking... I can feel every tar line and expansion joint in the road but after adjusting the rebound it's not unpleasant, just communicative. Grooved pavement requires close attention as the car wants to track to any lines parallel to travel. But, it also corners like its on rails even though I'm running mid tear all-season tires. The grip and confidence I get from this chassis is really something special.
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