Pineapples And Subframe Bushes

[salad]

i was just wonderin if there is much difference in performance from using pineapples and replacing the actual subframe bush. has anyone tried both?

im guessin the actual bush would be better, but bit of a pain to install

[R33S2]

The pineapples fit into a gap between the standard bush and the sub frame, they tighten up the rear end sway a fair bit.

[Sydneykid]

I would add that;

1. pineapples allow you to adjust the angle of the rear subframe itself for more or less squat/traction, changing the bushes doesn't.

2. pineapples are DIY, $105 in parts and 20 minutes to fit, the hardest part is jacking the car up, sticking the axle standards under it (for your safety) and taking off the wheels. Chenging bushes means removing the whole subframe and using a 20 tonne press ot remove the standard bushes, not exactly DIY.

cheers

[gts4diehard]

Hi,

Never tried both at the same time. Go pineapples if your bushes are ok.

I replaced my bushes and didnt really notice much difference driving normally. Normally only the front silicone filled bushes behind the doors wear out, the ones at the rear are solid rubber and they still will hold the subframe reasonably well in 'granny' style driving.

I really only noticed the back end moving around when I hooked into tight corners and accelerated hard out of them, there was a bit of squirming then, this dissappeared once the bushes were replaced.

Rear end felt quite tight, not sure if you are going to really notice the addition of pineapples unless you got serious horsepower or are drifting which could put enough stress on bushes to get some movement - although the Noltec urethane bushes are pretty damn firm.

Nice plus was that I didnt notice any extra harshness in the ride with new bushes, and neither did my mate when he did his gtr either.

This might change if you have harder springs, as you will be running out of components with some compliance in them to absorb some of the road bumps.

My advice if your bushes are stuffed and you are going to keep the car and drive it hard, replace them. Its a big job to do yourself and expensive for someone else to do. You can always add the pineapples later - which is not supposed to be that big a job to do.

P.S.

Taking the bushes out is easy enough, don't need any presses at all but will take 3-4 hours excluding the time to remove the subframe.

Just get one of those cheap flexy holesaws and a grunty drill and drill the rubber out - you might have to come at it from both sides to cut right through. Then bash out the steel insert in the centre.

Then hold subframe steady and hacksaw the thin bush casing. You can do this without any blow torches at all. The casing will pop out easily once you release the tension by cutting right through it.

Not a one day job and the hardest bit is the hacksawing but you will save yourself in excess of $800-$1000 in labour. This job is even easier if you don't have the 4wd system to bleed. Don't detach the hicas, just hang it out of the way with some tie wire.

You need to be careful lowering subframe as it is fairly heavy- best if two people do it, I did it by myself. I have a doc on this process - will put it up someday.

Edited August 5, 2006 by gts4diehard

[salad]

ah k. so there is no real performance difference between the noltec urethane bushes and say whiteline pineapples then? if i were to go pineapples, i would leave the subframe neutral, and i work in a workshop so have access to hoist and other stuff.

just wanna know if it would be worth it to have noltec bushes.

my current subframe bushes are fine at the moment (not rooted)

Edited August 5, 2006 by salad

[Sydneykid]

For what you want to do, you definitely need pineapples for their adjustment potential.

cheers

[salad]

ah k, so i guess id want to set them up anti-squat aswell instead of neutral?

[Sydneykid]

Yep "drift" and "all round"

cheers

[R33S2]

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/in...p;hl=pineapples

Have a read of that thread and draw your own conclusions.

EDIT

I just noticed that a pic of the whiteline setup doesnt work in that thread.

Luckily I have a copy

[salad]

ok, sweet. cheers fellas

[Bl4cK32]

a few things to note -

any car (skyline is now what 14 years old??) with bushes that old are either stuffed or on their way out.

If you drive your car harder than just doing normal street driving, then chances are you will notice a difference in fitting new bushes.

No job is too big if you have the time and patience.

Do jobs right the first time, dont use band aid solutions. Only time id use pinapples, is for tuning the angle of the subframe as per Sk's comments.

I would fit the bushes to your car if u see any track work at all.

[mr_rbman]

showza, i just put some pineapples in my car in the 'all round' position and noticed them more than my struts and rear sway bar combined!

[salad]

hmm, yeah, i was also thinkin that the pineapples were just a 'bandaid'.

i will most probly leave the bushes in the neutral (all round) position, so this probly means that noltec bushes are the best idea...

car sees usual drift practices and comps, and will be goin to circuit days soon

will pineapples still do the job if the stock rubber bushes are rooted?

[GtstCoupe]

I have seen the Bee* R ones and was wondering

what we think of thease as they are a reputible

tuning company in japan and do make quality stuff.

thx

[Bl4cK32]

how is silicone with a brand name on it, different from a no-name product made of exactly the same stuff?

Ive seen crap from Japan, as well as crap from Australia...

[Beer Baron]

how do you know BeeR make quality stuff? have you ever seen or used BeeR parts? personally I would say some of the BeeR parts are not as high standard as the really nice japanese parts like HKS, ARC, RAYS etc. They do make some cool stuff but I dont think they are renowned for high quality at all.

[(B1) MR_fanny]

anyone got a ball park figure for whacking in subframe bushes? mine are still sittin here next to me..lol

[Bl4cK32]

Boostworx here in Adelaide charges $250 to do it

[(B1) MR_fanny]

Not a one day job and the hardest bit is the hacksawing but you will save yourself in excess of $800-$1000 in labour.

few...when i heard $800 plus i was having second thoughts

[Andi]

Good thing I came across this thread. I'm in process of doing a suspension makeover for the GTT and was thinking of getting the front castor/radial bushes, front and rear camber kits and already have the Noltec subframe bushes from the GB (thanks Bl4cK32 - trader rating on its way).

Since I'm already planning to order stuff from Whiteline I was wondering if I should pay the extra $120~ for the pineapples or not? Would I see much benefit from the pineapples if I already plan to fit the subframe bushes?

Also, any idea how much I should be looking at to get front castor kit, front and rear camber kit, subframe bushes and coilover height adjustment? Or should I give it a go at doing it myself and just pay for allignment - if its possible?

Cheers all,

Andy