[traildogck]

Orders Shipping Monday

I have several front and rear sway bar bushing sets going out tomorrow, Monday 9/17. Anyone who placed an order with me in the past few days, I have been working my molds overtime casting bushings.

Thank You for your interest in CKE SSP products. I look forward to any feedback. (positive, constructive or negative) Enjoy better handling.

:grin:

 

[traildogck]

It's OK to Mix & Match

All sets are shipped, a couple shipped today.

I also wanted to bring up the idea of mixing & matching durometers. In fact it is a smart idea depending on what your handling tastes are. It also depends on if you fell the car is balanced or not. If the issue is just "foaty" or "sloppy" in general then keeping with the same durometer front and rear. (either 75d or 85d) However, if the car feels like the rear is wagging around, then the 75d in the front and 85d in the rear better solution.

Of course these details are subtle differences. The bump from stock to either is more significant.

 

[traildogck]

Thank You All for Your Support

You All get to reap better support as well, for your chassis.

Several 85d & 75d sets are shipping Tomorrow/Monday. Thank You all for your continued support. I continue to offer discounts over my impending ebay pages. I hope you all enjoy better handling for your chassis.

 

[traildogck]

October 4th is EBay - Dday

CKE SSP sway bar bushings are going up on Flee-Bay tomorrow. Last chance for introductory forum deals... I will honor discount inquires through 10/4/18....PMT (midnight)

 

[traildogck]

Ebay Pages are up yet.

It is more important to get bushings in the mail. For anyone who contacted me during the week ... all orders have shipped. Again, thank you all for your supports while you enjoy better body-motion control.

 

[sspect]

Sway Bar Bushings

Finally got to the install today front and rear with the 85d bushings and am very pleased with the results....
Fortunately I was able to work with the car in the air on a friends 4 point lift.
I can't imagine the contortions necessary to to do it on the ground even with ramps.
FYI...removing the skid plate made it much simpler...4 bolts and about 12 plastic round removable pins...the pop rivets stay in place.

 

[traildogck]

Crosstrek Same as Ascent

@sspect, great. I do send factory service manual pages for what they are worth.

I recently decided to branch out into the Crosstrek market. I ordered (1) front and (1) rear.

Interesting, the Crosstrek uses the same front bushing as the Ascent. It's a different Subaru part number, but they are indeed the same casting. The Crosstrek bushing fits in my Ascent mold like it was cast there. Whether Subaru alters the rubber durometers, who knows. I could check the stock rubbers against themselves. That would be interesting. The bushings come from Japan, and they are complex molds, buy the look of the casting lines. The Ascent bar may be the same diameter, but it has different, and more bends. The lever arm portions are also different.

The same bushing I make for the 2015-2019+ (16mm rear for the Leggy/OB) will work for the 16mm rear bar Crosstrek bar. So, there is no reason for me to be casing any new molds ... for what I already have molds for.

 

[R P]

@sspect , great. I do send factory service manual pages for what they are worth.

I recently decided to branch out into the Crosstrek market. I ordered (1) front and (1) rear.

Interesting, the Crosstrek uses the same front bushing as the Ascent. It's a different Subaru part number, but they are indeed the same casting. The Crosstrek bushing fits in my Ascent mold like it was cast there. Whether Subaru alters the rubber durometers, who knows. I could check the stock rubbers against themselves. That would be interesting. The bushings come from Japan, and they are complex molds, buy the look of the casting lines. The Ascent bar may be the same diameter, but it has different, and more bends. The lever arm portions are also different.

The same bushing I make for the 2015-2019+ (16mm rear for the Leggy/OB) will work for the 16mm rear bar Crosstrek bar. So, there is no reason for me to be casing any new molds ... for what I already have molds for.

I have the 2018 Crosstrek, but not sure what "problem" your bushings would correct. Unlike the prev gen Crosstreks (non SGP) and prev gen Foresters (not 2019), the 2018 does not "sway" or ride soft in the corners (I have test driven them all). I also have test driven the Ascent and it too, is not quite as solid around the corners as the new Crosstrek (kind of hate to say this on the Ascent forum). It is still good, but I think the extra weight does challenge the suspension a little more.

 

[traildogck]

I have the 2018 Crosstrek, but not sure what "problem" your bushings would correct.

In the case of the Crosstrek, they would not be "correcting" anything. Just increasing performance. Same as a WRX/STI ...or you Mustang or Jeep. (I only do Subaru) The urethane materials I use are superior over stock rubber in deformation, elongation and elasticity. Overall they are more durable. I have even adapted newer models bushings and straps to fit older Subaru models and even some aftermarket sway bars. Why, because then older designs can benefit from newer technologies and manufacturing.

The stock 2005-2013 (various models) 21mm front sway bar is on the left. On the right, a hybrid kit I made from a 2017 Impreza front bushing and it's strap.

Here it is on the bar for a photo...

Here it is one my car Cherry, but now, I use the strap from the Ascent. It's way beefier, but the part of the bushing it clamps is the same.

Here's the Whiteline aftermarket front bar, also on Cherry for a while. This time, it's a 2010 LGT sedan front bushing. The advantage here. It places more material between the bar and the strap, so it's less harsh. When you ass bigger bars, but the clamp stays the same, only the material between changes. And when it gets to thin, it's harsh. It deforms easily. So the adapted kits provide better performance and no cost to NVH. In fact in some cases the comfort is improved along with the handling. That's a big win-win.

 

[traildogck]

I also have test driven the Ascent and it too, is not quite as solid around the corners as the new Crosstrek (kind of hate to say this on the Ascent forum). It is still good, but I think the extra weight does challenge the suspension a little more.

See and what's interesting is that most of the folks here have gone straight to the 85d, which are the harder of the (2) durometers I make. I don't even run 85d in my cars. Well, when I put my stock rear bar on I do, but I don't like the harshness. Most of the Outback and Legacy customers (80%) get the 75d. This tells me with the Ascent, these busgings do border on correction.

Now up until this point, I haven't mentioned the track bushings I make. That sounds funny on an Ascent forum. I make 90-95d. They have to be a (2) piece that sandwiches the bar. They are far to hard to try and bend around the bar. They provide a small amount of compliance, but they are almost a solid mount. I have had (2) Outbacker use them, but them remove them and move back to the 85d.

I almost feel like those 95d might even be beneficial here.

 

[norway]

I've installed 75d on the rear bar, going to try that for a few weeks, then possibly try 75d on the front, and if needed go to 85d on the rear. Thanks Chris!

 

[traildogck]

I've installed 75d on the rear bar, going to try that for a few weeks, then possibly try 75d on the front, and if needed go to 85d on the rear. Thanks Chris!

I am happy to see someone taking the subtle-baby-step approach. Each step may or may-not have minor discernible changes. Depending on the desired improvement, combinations of different durometers may have benefits for certain users vs match sets.

Someone who hauls the family all the time around town, they may just want the rear bushing in either durometer. Someone coming form a sport SUV may just want the 85d all the way around. Someone who like the handling as is when empty, but feels like it's sloppy when loaded down may want the 75d sets.

Or, you all may just think I'm nuts. Either way, the more user feedback that gets posted, the better decisions interested people can make. I can also better advise the more feedback comments I see. Oh, negative feedback is welcome. This is not a fan-boy situation. R&D takes the bad with the good.

 

[traildogck]

Subaru is Incestuous.

Ok, I have been searching for new Subaru bushings to copy, so I can expand my market.

It appears that Subaru uses different part numbers for sway bar bushing, bushings which are exactly the same. This goes far beyond the Crosstrek/Ascent discovery. That same FSB under pins the Forester and Impreza years also. They all have 16mm rear sway bars from the factory and they all have different part numbers. They are all the same. Subaru also charges different prices for each in some, some cases. Which is weird. WRX part numbers cost more, go figure.

I am not 100% on all of the years and what stops where. I am going to have to do some better digging and documenting. But my ebay pages are going to need a complete overhaul.

The only bushings I see so far that are interesting is the BRZ. I need to see how much there is out there for those cars before I decide to produce any for the BRZ. I will gladly copy the bushings for my own custom applications though.

 

[adx]

The BRZ doesn't surprise me since it's a Toyota 86.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

Ok, I have been searching for new Subaru bushings to copy, so I can expand my market.

It appears that Subaru uses different part numbers for sway bar bushing, bushings which are exactly the same.

Is it possible the molds are the same and the rubber is different?

 

[traildogck]

Is it possible the molds are the same and the rubber is different?

I have thought hard about that.

The one from the Crosstrek seems exactly the same. As far as deforming it in your hand. There is are definitely differences felt in my materials over stock. From what I know about sulfur based rubbers, as the durometer varies so does the durability. With that said the difference between a WRX, a Crosstrek and the Ascent would only be a durometer point or 2. And all of them are noticeably softer than the 75d, significantly softer for the 85d.

So for my purposes, I matters little if the OEMs have slight hardness differences. (possible, I doubt it) The CKE SSP performance and high performance offerings are an upgrade over any of them.

 

[traildogck]

The BRZ doesn't surprise me since it's a Toyota 86.

Yeah ... its not the same as the Subarus. I bought bushings and straps to see what I can make for them. I did also check the BRZ aftermarket for what I make. And it's thin, here might be room for me.

 

[traildogck]

CKE Ascent SBB go Commercial

I said it would happen. With @Carl Abrams dealer going all Off-Road modding, I gave in.

75d performance bushing links ...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/173589185965

https://www.ebay.com/itm/173589203551

High Performance 85d links

https://www.ebay.com/itm/173589210702

https://www.ebay.com/itm/173589205592

Enjoy better handeling ...

 

[Jigger]

Finally got around to installing the 85d bushings. The vehicle felt instantly tighter less roll. No more floating feel after going over uneven pavement. Ride is stiffer but that is exactly what I was hoping for. Only drove it 50 km so far but I could tell the second i got up to speed this was a good investment. Thanks again.

 

[traildogck]

Finally got around to installing the 85d bushings. The vehicle felt instantly tighter less roll. No more floating feel after going over uneven pavement. Ride is stiffer but that is exactly what I was hoping for. Only drove it 50 km so far but I could tell the second i got up to speed this was a good investment. Thanks again.

Thank You very much for providing feedback. Feedback as better than any technical information or salesmanship related to my products.

I have not had any new orders for sway bar bushing is well over a month. Most of you who were interested early on must be already taken care of. Enjoy tighter handling.

:grin: