I'm in a panic here! I cut out the inner sleeve on my 280zx front control arm to install Energy Suspension poly bushings. However, they're loose! Like, I easily fit them in by hand and they wobble around a little bit. There was no way they'd fit with the sleeve in there. I'm very confused - what am I doing wrong?

Thanks!
Ahhh!

Mike

Edit - an update. I have p/n 7.3107G. I think I should have 7.3103G... Perhaps this explains the fitment issues...

 

Gaaaaa more panic, the rear bolts don't fit through the sleeve that came with the energy suspension pieces. Very unhappy right now...

 

I would get back to whoever sold you the kit. I got mine from motorsport auto and they fit just fine. Quite possible you got the wrong set. been a few years since I did it but depending on what you mean by loose I think they just slipped into place without any need to hammer them in or anything.

 

Yeah, I'll call them Monday morning.

I'm pretty sure the front parts are wrong - definitely got the wrong part number.

And on the rears, one of the four inner sleeves is different from the rest. The bolts fit on three, not on the fourth. If I can't get a sleeve shipped to me, I'll bore it out a little bit on my lathe.

Can anyone please confirm that I DO need to remove the outer sleeves on both the front and rear control arms?

 

yes the sleeve needs to come out. they should fit snug but not loose. installing the center should make the bushing tighter by a tad bit. best just get yourself the prpoer kit.

 

As you most likely know the 79-81 are different in features to the 82-83. When I order parts I have to specify year because things like air filter, seat belts, and other random parts throughout the car changed. That may be one of them.

 

The sway bar bushing are a different size as they upped the sway bar on the turbo in '81 and all the cars from 82-83. Apparently the geometery for the series II cars was different as well. I'm not sure if any of the bushings other than the sway bars was any different though.

 

Nope, we're good now. It was only the front control arm bushings that were loose - and confirmed to be the wrong part number. The supplier swapped it out, excellent customer service.

Also, Energy Suspension shipped me a replacement for the rear inner sleeve that was wrong.

 

Anyone have a link to the correct bushing kit my car is a 1983 280zx I need IT ASAP !!

 

Motorsport! Master Urethane Bushing Kit, 79-83 280ZX

Motorsport! Front Control Arm Bushing, 79-83 280ZX

 

THANKS !!