[Supras] Some questions about '88 NA Sport Roof, suspension and AT

[Joel Watkinson (Cars)]

So, are you comparing the Poly bushing prices to the stock rubber? I
called Jeff about the rubber ones a while back and he said they were no
longer in production and that there was no way to order a complete set
of stock bushings anymore. From what I can find looking around, the only
place that has any kind of a full set is SupraSport. Although, I've
emailed them from their web page and called them and left messages and I
have never heard back....

But, are you saying that you can still get the full control arm and that
it has all of the bushings installed already? What are those part
numbers? If I recall, just the full bushing set was around $800 when it
was available, so, getting 4 new control arms *with* the bushings
installed for $800 is a good deal, especially if you have to pay someone
else to pop the bushing out and put the new ones in. I've not done it on
the Supra, but I have done it myself on my Fiero and that's neither fun
or easy. Even with a press, I resorted to burning them out, then
deforming the metal sleeve so that it could pop out, and then pressing
the new ones in. I'd easily part with a few hundred bucks to be able to
just swap the control arms complete units... Just getting those bolts
free is enough of a chore without adding the bushing work.

Since I've now got a bigger turbo and plan to have about 440 at the
wheels when done, I figure it's probably useless to put rubber in since,
someone correct me if I'm wrong, with that much power the rubber will
pretty much be shredded in no-time. I mean, if the rubber *can* handle
the power, I'd love to keep the stock ride and skip poly, but, in the
past, I've been advised to just accept the ride quality changes that
come as a trade-off of having that much power. Anyone with experience in
this? I mean, if I can buy 4 control arms for $800 and just swap those
out instead of bushings and maintain more of the smooth ride, I'm all
for that balance...
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: supras-bounces at supras.com 
> [mailto:supras-bounces at supras.com] On Behalf Of supraman88
> Sent: Thursday, May 03, 2007 5:37 PM
> To: Rockey Fox
> Cc: supras at supras.com
> Subject: Re: [Supras] Some questions about '88 NA Sport 
> Roof,suspension and AT
> 
> Rockey Fox wrote:
> > Suprasport.com has several sets of bushings on their website....
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----
> > From: Supraman <Supraman88 at verizon.net>
> > To: supras at supras.com
> > Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2007 12:17:45 PM
> > Subject: [Supras] Some questions about '88 NA Sport Roof, 
> suspension 
> > and AT
> >
> > It's time to do some more work on the Supra. My priorities 
> this year 
> > are the shocks, springs, bushings and the AT.
> >
> > I still haven't decided on shocks; I have 'new' springs (take-offs 
> > w/approx 20,000 on them). I'm probably going to go with 
> OEM, KYBs or 
> > Tokico AM shocks. The last time I had the alignment looked at, the 
> > tech said the Pass side bushings were too worn to do a proper 
> > alignment. So, since I'm doing one side, I'd better do 
> both. Since I'm 
> > doing all the shocks and springs, I might as well do ALL 
> the bushings 
> > (there is a creaking from the rear on left-hand turns sometimes, so 
> > the bushings and the shock mounts are all going to get done).
> >
> > Aftermarket bushings are out there, but I can't find them. I am 
> > betting that aftermarket polyprop bushings are just as expensive as 
> > OEM and will last longer (but who knows how long the car 
> will last? If 
> > i have my way, at least a few more years...). Also, I'm betting 
> > 1/2-2/3 of the bolts are just going to snap, so I need a source for 
> > the bushings and the bolts (probably Toyota for those).
> >
> > Also, the AT does not shift by itself, for a number of reasons. The 
> > 'adapter' at the tranny end of the speedo cable is broken 
> (SURPRISE!) 
> > so the speed sensor in the dash isn't getting input, and two of the 
> > solenoids are not reading anything on an Ohm meter. I have 
> heard this 
> > is a common problem not only with Toyotas, but also the 
> Jeep Cherokee, 
> > which uses the same A340 tranny.
> >
> > I have heard there are aftermarket soleniods available at a 
> good price.
> > When I was working at a Toy dealer, *MY* price per solenoid 
> was $135!!!
> > I can get a set of 4 for $67 on-line. I have heard of others using 
> > these as replacements.
> >
> > I guess, from what I have read, that the solenoids gum up 
> from lack of 
> > proper maintenance and don't work. Does anyone know how 
> this happens? 
> > I mean, does the shifting action pushing against the clogging cause 
> > the winding to burn out? It would seem to me, like a 
> similar problem 
> > with my Mazda 626 with Hydraulic Lash Adjusters, that a 
> cleaning might 
> > make them work again, but not if the windings are burned. Yeah, I'm 
> > cheap! (I'm also unemployed right now...)
> >
> > Any and all (um, USEFUL!) suggestions are welcomed! I will 
> spend the 
> > money required to do the shocks, bushings and solenoids, 
> but I'm also
> > trying to be 'economical'...   ;)
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
> >
> > 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
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> 
> I thought they were pretty expensive ($122 for 8 uppers, $68 
> for 8 lowers). Then I went to Toyota. $29 each for the 
> uppers. Lowers? Uhn-uh! 
> Gotta buy the whole Control Arm for $197 each! WOW!
> 
>  From what I have read, replacing the lower bushings is a 
> *bitch*, but it beats $400!
> 
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