Nismo B15 Hard Bushing Install
I think quite a few folks have passed up the Nismo hard bushings because it appears too difficult to install. I'm here to tell you it's not with the right tools. The car's responsiveness is improved and roll stiffness is increased. For those weekend racers, this is a great mod. Not to mention one of the best replacements for OEM if your ball joints are shot (like mine where).
I completed this install in approx 4hrs with no instructions and sort of guessing as I went, but it came together quite nicely. Here is a simple step by step to help.
Tools:
Sockets - deep well
10mm, 14mm, 17mm, 22mm
Air tools -
Socket Wrench, Impact Wrench
Misc tools -
Ball joint press set, Hammer, pliers, screwdriver, 2 med size cotter pins
All of these tools are a necessity. If you dont have air tools, or unable to rent the Ball joint press set, stop right here. If you do, then lets move on.
NISMO KIT
Special Tool - Ball Joint Press Set
1. Getting started
Jack up the car, remove the wheels and leave the key in the ignition so the steering wheel doesnt lock. Dont not leave the key in the on or acc position.
2. Removing the front lower control arms
This step can be accomplished so quickly you'll probably surprise yourself. Removing the control arm doesnt involve removing the brakes, hub or axle.
Step 1. Remove the cotter pin from the ball joint. Loosen the 17mm nut until the nut is just resting against the bottom of the axle. (See picture below) Do not force the nut out or try to remove it. The nut should be at the top of the ball joint now.
Step 2. Remove the 14mm nut on the sway bar end link. Remove the nut, washer and lower bushing. Swing the sway bar up so that the end link threads are no longer seated in the control arm.
Step 3. Loosen the 3 17mm bolts on the back of the control arm, 1 turn only
Step 4. Loosen the 22mm bolt. Remove the nut but leave the bolt through the control arm.
Step 5. With a Hammer, wack the spindle in the EXACT spot circled. Two good wacks and the ball joint will drop from the spindle - resting on the loosened nut at the top. Do not hit the lower control arm. Remove the nut from the ball joint.
Step 6. Remove the 3 17mm bolts from Step 3. Remove the 22mm bolt from Step 4. Remove the lower control arm. Yes, its that easy.
3. Installing the Nismo Lower Control Arms
The install is the exact reverse of the removal. Follow the torque guidelines in the Nismo instructions. As you can see above, my ball joints were toast.
Step 1. Position the lower control arm so that the ball joint is partially seated in the spindle
Step 2. Align the front and rear portion of the lower control arm (LCA) and install the 3 17mm bolts and 22mm bolt loosely. Also seat the sway bar end link through the LCA. Install the bushing, washer and nut to hand tight.
Step 3. Fully torque the ball joint nut, install the new cotter pin, and tighten all bolts to spec. Now move on the other side and complete the other LCA.
4. Removing the Scott Russell Linkage (SRL) from the Rear Beam
There are 3 bushings to be pressed out from the SRL (note NB in the picture). Two in the aluminum dogbone and one located on the left side of the SRL (when looking from the rear to the front).
Step 1. Remove the 17mm bolt/nut from the left side of the SRL.
Step 2. Loosen the 17mm nut from the right side one turn only.
Step 3. Loosen the 17mm bolt and nut from the right side of the dog bone one turn only.
Step 4. Remove the 22mm nut from the center of the SRL, left side of the dog bone.
Step 5. Remove the 17mm nut from Step 2. Remove the 17mm bolt and nut from Step 3.
Step 6. Slide back the SRL off the center pivot arm from Step 4. The SRL and dog bone can now be removed. Notate on the dogbone which side is up and faces forward. The bushing sizes are different.
I think quite a few folks have passed up the Nismo hard bushings because it appears too difficult to install. I'm here to tell you it's not with the right tools. The car's responsiveness is improved and roll stiffness is increased. For those weekend racers, this is a great mod. Not to mention one of the best replacements for OEM if your ball joints are shot (like mine where).
I completed this install in approx 4hrs with no instructions and sort of guessing as I went, but it came together quite nicely. Here is a simple step by step to help.
Tools:
Sockets - deep well
10mm, 14mm, 17mm, 22mm
Air tools -
Socket Wrench, Impact Wrench
Misc tools -
Ball joint press set, Hammer, pliers, screwdriver, 2 med size cotter pins
All of these tools are a necessity. If you dont have air tools, or unable to rent the Ball joint press set, stop right here. If you do, then lets move on.
NISMO KIT
Special Tool - Ball Joint Press Set
1. Getting started
Jack up the car, remove the wheels and leave the key in the ignition so the steering wheel doesnt lock. Dont not leave the key in the on or acc position.
2. Removing the front lower control arms
This step can be accomplished so quickly you'll probably surprise yourself. Removing the control arm doesnt involve removing the brakes, hub or axle.
Step 1. Remove the cotter pin from the ball joint. Loosen the 17mm nut until the nut is just resting against the bottom of the axle. (See picture below) Do not force the nut out or try to remove it. The nut should be at the top of the ball joint now.
Step 2. Remove the 14mm nut on the sway bar end link. Remove the nut, washer and lower bushing. Swing the sway bar up so that the end link threads are no longer seated in the control arm.
Step 3. Loosen the 3 17mm bolts on the back of the control arm, 1 turn only
Step 4. Loosen the 22mm bolt. Remove the nut but leave the bolt through the control arm.
Step 5. With a Hammer, wack the spindle in the EXACT spot circled. Two good wacks and the ball joint will drop from the spindle - resting on the loosened nut at the top. Do not hit the lower control arm. Remove the nut from the ball joint.
Step 6. Remove the 3 17mm bolts from Step 3. Remove the 22mm bolt from Step 4. Remove the lower control arm. Yes, its that easy.
3. Installing the Nismo Lower Control Arms
The install is the exact reverse of the removal. Follow the torque guidelines in the Nismo instructions. As you can see above, my ball joints were toast.
Step 1. Position the lower control arm so that the ball joint is partially seated in the spindle
Step 2. Align the front and rear portion of the lower control arm (LCA) and install the 3 17mm bolts and 22mm bolt loosely. Also seat the sway bar end link through the LCA. Install the bushing, washer and nut to hand tight.
Step 3. Fully torque the ball joint nut, install the new cotter pin, and tighten all bolts to spec. Now move on the other side and complete the other LCA.
4. Removing the Scott Russell Linkage (SRL) from the Rear Beam
There are 3 bushings to be pressed out from the SRL (note NB in the picture). Two in the aluminum dogbone and one located on the left side of the SRL (when looking from the rear to the front).
Step 1. Remove the 17mm bolt/nut from the left side of the SRL.
Step 2. Loosen the 17mm nut from the right side one turn only.
Step 3. Loosen the 17mm bolt and nut from the right side of the dog bone one turn only.
Step 4. Remove the 22mm nut from the center of the SRL, left side of the dog bone.
Step 5. Remove the 17mm nut from Step 2. Remove the 17mm bolt and nut from Step 3.
Step 6. Slide back the SRL off the center pivot arm from Step 4. The SRL and dog bone can now be removed. Notate on the dogbone which side is up and faces forward. The bushing sizes are different.