Where to buy new OEM or better suspension arm bushings?

Hello,

I'm new to this forum, and this is my first post. I searched for "bushings" and didn't find what I wanted, so I thought I'd ask the folks on this board...

I'm replacing rotors on our '93 Geo Metro 4-door, 5sp, Canadian version, as well as the calipers, and thought while I had this much off the front end, I'd replace some bushings and possibly tie-rod ends, etc.

The car has 210000 miles on it, and I replaced the engine a few years ago at about 175000 miles with a Japanese take-off engine, but the frame and everything else is pretty much original.. Runs great, gets 50+ mpg - base model 3 cyl - so I want to keep it going.

I checked rockauto, thepartsbin and autopartsgiant, but they don't seem to produce the suspension arm bushings, ball stud, or tie rod end.

Where do you people get these online?

I've also seen "poly" bushings for other cars. Do they make these for the Geo Metros of this vintage? If so, what's a good, fairly priced, online source? I'm very frugal or I wouldn't own and keep a Geo! 8-)

Any insights, feedback, appreciated. This seems like a pretty friendly and knowledgable group of people.

Sincerely, Rick

--
Rick & Kate Johnson
Venice Ranch, Burns, Oregon 97720
http://home.centurytel.net/venice/

check out the site at www.ssgti.com they have poly bushings dunno about tie rod ends?

ssgti is a ripoff. Try http://www.whiteline.com.au and find a retailer that can ship the parts to you. Would save you hundreds from what SSGTI.com has to offer. And they're the same parts.

Alan/Michael - thanks for the feedback.

I've checked SSGTI.com - $99 for a set of polyurethene bushings for the control arm. Includes two suspension arm front bushings and two suspension arm bushings for the rear of the control arms -- block shaped ones. But doesn't appear to contain bushings for the ball studs.

I'm checking whiteline.com, but their site takes awhile to load, as it's overseas, and I'm connected to a modem at about snail pace...

Has anyone actually replaced the four bushings that appear to be replaceable on each front wheel: outer tie rod bushing on the steering rod, and the three bushings on the control arm - ball stud, front suspension arm, and rear of suspension arm bushings?

What's a good online source for the original OEM type rubber bushings?

Appreciate any insights on this. Rick

I had a 92 Metro 5 door that had bushings that were damaged in an engine fire early in the car's lifetime. At the time, the car was fully insured and the damage was in the engine bay, so the front end was rebuilt. For some odd reason, they used the original control arm bushings. Not being an online shopper at the time, (though that has changed), I went to Chevrolet, and got the set for around $80. Being the company man that I am, I always recommend OEM parts enless I am aware of a performance enhancement or a problem with the OEM design. I don't see anything wrong with using the set from GM.

There is a guy that just put some new Swift/Metro control arms on e-bay. He's from Canada so I assume that new parts are available there at a price much better that what you can get at US dealers. I need a new one for the left side of my Metro. Last time I checked with a US dealer they wanted $220 for one.

Thanks for the additional information, people, GeoJim and WestSideX.

Does anyone know a good online source for original equipment for Geo Metros? ... Especially if they carry suspension bushings and other parts...

I removed one of the steering knuckles yesterday, so I could get a better idea of how the wheel bearings are situated. I've ordered new bearings for both sides... figured I'd do those while I've got the wheels off and the brake parts removed.. Now I can see how the suspension arm - also called control arm - is configured to the frame. If I go much further, I'll be digging up into the engine compartment! 8-) -Rick

Haven't used them myself. Better if you know the part number: http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/

Rick let us know? I might be looking for bushings soon!

Often people are not pleased with the harsh ride of the PU bushings. New oem style can improve ride and handling while keeping ride quality.

One inexpensive way to improve the handling and decrease body roll is better swaybar(s). I think goesukigti told me that the late 90's metro front swaybar is bigger/better and is a bolt on. Should be super cheap at the local salvage yard.

Are the control arms the same between gen1 and gen2 metros. If so, you could get low miles control arms from a late model wreck. They go for about $30USD complete around here.

How tough is the swaybar to change, and is there a rear swaybar from the gen2 metro to match that will bolt onto the gen1, geozukigti?

The only tough part about changing a swaybar is the end links. After time, those bad boys get rusty has hell! They are then prone to breaking the nut, or bolt. Either way, they're usually not re-usable if they're 7 or more years old. The 95-00 front swaybars are much bigger than the 89-94 swift front swaybars. Most 89-94 metros had no swaybar at all. So, new front swaybar end links. I would go with polyurethane ones, and a 95-01 4cyl metro front swaybar would greatly reduce body roll. Now, if you want to go into fabrication, some late model Metro LSi's (1.3 SOHC) had rear swaybars. As did the 89-94 Suzuki Swift GT/GTi. But the 89-94 metro has no mounts welded into the floorpan for the rear swaybar. You would either need to fabricate a mount into your rear floorpan, or cut the mounts off a wrecked 89-94 Swift GTi, or late model Metro LSi/Swift, and weld them onto your floor pan.
As for the control arms, they're completely interchangeable from 1989-2000. All of them are the same. The springs and struts are fairly the same too. Only difference is spring rates, and strut stiffness/shaft thickness. Your best bet for a nice handling suspension is a set of Swift GT springs and struts. A little more rough of a ride, but it sits a tiny bit lower, thicker springs for a higher spring rate, and more stiff struts to prevent bottoming, and reduces body roll.

Hey geozukigti, thanks for the additional details on control arms for '93 Geo Metro.

You indicated that control arms were the same on Metros through year 2000.

Thinking I might be able to update the existing control arms with those from a lower mileage car, I checked several wrecking yards that had control arms for '99 models. One yard said they wouldn't fit a '93 Geo Metro, another said they would. I even sent them a picture of what I wanted. Interesting there's a difference of opinion on the interchange.

I got a reply back from SGTI saying that their $99 kit was indeed complete for both sides of the front end. I asked about a discount if more than one kit was purchased, and they said they gave 10% discounts if payment was made by cashier's check, money order or personal check. They didn't say they would provide a separate discount for multiple purchases.

As soon as I get the new rotors I think I'll just close things up and continue to use the existing control arms -- they're not that bad, actually. If the poly bushings were less expensive, say around $30 for a kit, I'd probably change them, but that's not the price.

If anyone has other online sources for suspension parts than those mentioned, I'd like to hear from you. Thanks again, Rick

There are several people on our Teamswift forum using Whiteline bushings. They did all 4 control arms for about $75 if I'm not mistaken. The part numbers are buried in their catalogs. You pay out the a$$ for shipping from AUS, but you gain the advantage of a good exchange rate. There are 2 or 3 U.S. whiteline retailers also. You can look them up on the website. That should save a ton in shipping if you order it through a retailer.

Thanks Alan,

What's an online source for the Whiteline bushings here in North America?

Below is the email reply I got from Aussie Mike Selvon about polyurethene bushings for our '93 Geo Metro. There website is www.whiteline.com.au. Prices are in Australian Dollars. $52 AD for the lower front bushings translates into about $36 for me here in America...

"Hi Rick,

Thanks for your interest in Whiteline products.

I have listed all the bush's that are available for you car.

Suzuki Swift GL,GTi, GLX Sedan & Hatchback 2 & 4WD 1/89 - 3/94

Front Control arm lower-Front bush SPF0678K $52.79 Aud
Front Control arm lower-Rear bush SPF0679K $27.99 Aud
Front Sway bar link to lower bush SPF0903-4K $10.75 Aud
Front Sway bar Mount to chassis bush SPF0618-__K Measure bar $14.77 Aud

We don't sell the Tie rod end dust cover, Or the ball stud cover. You may have to get these items from the manufacturer ie Suzuki"

That's a helluva lot cheaper than ssgti.com I don't know any online sources, but I'll find one you can call and order from. Whiteline's website is down right now