Energy Suspension MX-3 Front Control Arm Bushing How-To

[IMACHU2]

Energy Suspension does not make front control arm bushings for a MX-3. You can use their Escort kit if you follow this through though. You will need Energy Suspension P/N 4.3152G (BLACK) and 97-01 Ford Escort or ZX-2 #13's (see diagram)


97-01 Escorts are easy to find at the wrecking yard.


Ended up cutting mine off with a chunk of Escort control arm


To remove the old bushing either use a press or you can drill a million holes in it and pry it out. I cleaned mine out with a sanding drum on a drill and painted them.


I used a inexpensive press to push my bushings in, but you can use a piece of wood and a big freakin' hammer too.






There you go! Inexpensive Poly bushing upgrade for your MX-3. A wheel alignment would be a good idea after this. My front sub frame was out, but you could leave yours in and just take your lower control arms off to up-grade them. (restoring my car).

[wytbishop]

Do you have a picture of the bushings before install? I would like to see exactly what they look like.

Also, the ES site says that this part contains "2 - 2384 lower control arm bushings (front position)"...so what part number is required for the rear position?..or does this part number contain 4 bushings...I'm a little confused by their information.

How snugly did the bushings fit in the control arm and how snug did the front bushing fit in the pocket of the subframe? One of the problems I had to solve was migration...they want to move around unless they are tightly contained. I would also be interested to know if they develop any noise down the line. Lubrication and squeeking were really important in my design because I've heard that other bushings have been very squeeky.

[IMACHU2]

Energy Suspension P/N 4.3152G includes 4 lower control arm bushing and two big washers. (Stolen image) Washers are not in the photo. Picture is of 4.3152R ("R" for red bushings)



Energy Suspension PDF file of bushin's
http://www.energysuspension.com/assets/ ... /17019.PDF" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The bushings would best be described as factory fit. Not too loose, not too tight. Energy designed them for an Escort and by changing the #13's a MX-3 is the same as an Escort.


I have not driven on them yet, but I have never had trouble with a Energy Suspension Product. (been selling their product for almost 20 years). Only problem I have ever had with them is the odd bushing shortages in their kits, which they have replaced no questions asked. I have installed a number of their kits in my other project cars without trouble.

[wytbishop]

Wow thats cheap. You're going to put me out of business.

This is good information. My research into polyurethane showed me that the most common complaint about aftermarket bushings is noise. Hence the use of grooves and the highest quality lube I could get my hands on.

I still think my product is a better product, but anything that helps the community is a good thing.

[IMACHU2]

The Energy Bushings have grooves in them and the kit came with a little tub of their highly acclaimed bushing grease. Please don't hate me I did not know jobs were at stake

[MapaX5]

hey, could you take a better pic of the bushings installed on the car...
i put mine in and for some reason they keep getting "pulled" under spirited driving. it's actually getting kind of dangerous.
i actually don't know which side goes where...
they have like a "bigger" side to them, does that go towards the front or rear? i'm just confused.
thanks.

[IMACHU2]

Ya It was kinda confusing. Four busings and two washers in a box. They did not even wish you luck, never mind instructions. I have 4 BG's to look at so I was lucky. I kept the suspension from my $200 323 to roll the shell of my car around. I looked at it ten times LOL. (5 times for the front and 5 times for the rear).

[turpro1993]

Just to add to the thread, I have that kit(actually the whole zx2/3rd ge scort hyperflex kit) on my 93 protege so its safe to say if you can't find that #13 from a 3rd gen scort you can grab it from a 90-94 protege lx.

[MapaX5]

yeah, that's how i put them in the car, and the bushing was all the way in the C clamp...went for a "spirited drive" and when i came back, the thing had come out like half the way. so i'm pressuing it goes:
Bushing (big end towards front), metal sleeve, big washer, nut? (on C clamp)
then the one that goes ON the arm itself doesn't use the washer?

[IMACHU2]

Yep. You got it.....now.

[MapaX5]

cool. thanks.
i start vacation as of 7:30 pm tomorrow... so, i'll re-assemble everything in here.
Do you know if i need to replace the ball-joints when i take the LCAs off the car? this is my DD, so i need to make sure i have everything i need before i start tearing stuff appart.
thanks again!

[MapaX5]

hey, does this work for the rear too?
if so, same parts? or anything different?

[IMACHU2]

cool. thanks.
i start vacation as of 7:30 pm tomorrow... so, i'll re-assemble everything in here.
Do you know if i need to replace the ball-joints when i take the LCAs off the car? this is my DD, so i need to make sure i have everything i need before i start tearing stuff appart.
thanks again!

Nope, as long as the boots are in good shape and they didn't clunk just re-install

[IMACHU2]

MapaX5: "hey, does this work for the rear too? if so, same parts? or anything different?"

We have a thread for that!
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=51806" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[MapaX5]

ok, thanks!