Sw20 suspension.

[toyonut]

I would like to start pricing up a suspension upgrade for my mr2. It creaks quite badly somewhere at the front end.This is probably just bushes I have been informed.
I have heard the mr2s handle best on stock suspension, so the logical (and cheap) route to go would new shocks and bushes from toyota.
I would like to have a bit less wheel arch gap than standard though, so i would like to look at lowering springs. I dont like the kind of lowering springs that stay captive on a stock shock because i dont think they are good for handling (more of a looks thing).
So where can i look at to get prices on a lowering spring with a constant rate and shortened shock to suit?
Anyone got experiences with different brands?
Do i need urethane bushes or will new toyota ones do the job fine?
Any other thoughts?

[Adamal]

I had the same creak in mine, replaced the 2 bushes on the front sway bar and she was fine after that.
Perhaps go TRD hard springs? They only lower the car by 30mm, which will leave you at 100-105mm, which is a good ride height.
Genuine bushes should be fine. You tend to find that ones like Nolathane bushes wear out very quickly.

[Twolitre]

Don't waste your time with stock bushes if you're looking to improve your handling, get a full set of urethane bushes from the link below for under $150US which is bloody cheap and prob just some decent shocks and you will probably be very happy.

http://www.twosrus.com/

[Ae92typeX]

Urethane bushes will firm it up much better than stock ones, but I also agree that they dont last as long- quite often the grease they are supplied with washes out too easly with water.
I guess its 6 of one half dozen of the other- they will still last for a decent amount of time usually from my own experience.

[MrBob]

I would like to have a bit less wheel arch gap than standard though, so i would like to look at lowering springs. I dont like the kind of lowering springs that stay captive on a stock shock because i dont think they are good for handling (more of a looks thing).
So where can i look at to get prices on a lowering spring with a constant rate and shortened shock to suit?

I had a set of bilistein shocks and whiteline springs + whiteline swaybars. Handled quite nicely with this setup + sat lower. Ive since switched to coilovers and its made a big improvment.
If youre going to the effort of buying a new set of shocks and getting them shortened etc, then just get a set of coilovers instead.. If you just want to lower it and firm it up a bit, just get a set of good springs.

btw, my bilstein shocks + springs are for sale if youre interested.

[Sexy MR2]

I had the same creak in mine, replaced the 2 bushes on the front sway bar and she was fine after that.
Perhaps go TRD hard springs? They only lower the car by 30mm, which will leave you at 100-105mm, which is a good ride height.
Genuine bushes should be fine. You tend to find that ones like Nolathane bushes wear out very quickly.

How easy was it to replace these, as I have the same creaking at the front. Also where'd you buy the bushes and what'd they cost?

[Mr Revhead]

TRD springs wont need shortened shocks.
also they retain good ride quality whilst firming things up.

sounds like you need:

bush kit listed above
TRD springs
new genuine shocks (REAL cheap at the mo )

[Adamal]

I had the same creak in mine, replaced the 2 bushes on the front sway bar and she was fine after that.
Perhaps go TRD hard springs? They only lower the car by 30mm, which will leave you at 100-105mm, which is a good ride height.
Genuine bushes should be fine. You tend to find that ones like Nolathane bushes wear out very quickly.

How easy was it to replace these, as I have the same creaking at the front. Also where'd you buy the bushes and what'd they cost?

Actually, I didn't pay for them. I did a computer fix for a mate of mine who owns a garage and he got them for me, Nolathayne ones too.

However, BEWARE. A very common thing with the SW20 that can happen underneath the bushes on the chassis for the front sway bar is some cracking.
It happened to mine and they made some half inch thick plates and welded them in place.
But I have been told that its a very common fault with the SW20.... So you could be opening a can of worms...

Heres a pic



That was AFTER they tried just welding the crack. After that, they'd give it a tap with a small hammer, and it was so thin, that it would just crack again. Thats when they went ahead with the plates.