Suspension and Bushes questions???

[wun911]

I have an MX5 (2001) its done 130,000 km. Just recently an alignment was done when I installed new tyres.

I want to buy the TEIN SS in October and maybe install them myself...

1 How long should you drive on the new suspension to make it settle before you get an alignment done?

2 Maybe I can kill two alignments with one stone... At 130,000 k Should I change the bushes while im changing suspension or can it wait longer?

3 Whats the advantage of the polyurethene bushes apart from the fact they are harder? Do they last longer than rubber ones? Are they cheaper then a set of stock OEM rubber bushes?

[StanTheMan]

I'd wait about 200-300km for the suspension to settle. before allignment.

The polyurethane bushes will probably outlast the car. Expect $350 or more for a professional to install it for you. Its a lot of work but heaps of fun if you have the right people doing it with you.

if you do both at once.....I'd probably try not to do more than 200-300 km before alignment as the alignment will most likely be way out.

at 130k km......I'd be inclined to do the bushes approaching 200k mark. but thats a personal choice. According to Norm Garret. You bushed would be farked by now.

When my car had 210k km I drove a car which had 150k on it. pretty much the same suspension set up as my own. The difference was mind blowing.

[Insurgence]

1) I didnt know you needed to to this but it kinda makes sense.
2) I would do both because it will save you time on the actual install and on the alignment

My advice: you have new tyres. when you do the suspension the alignment will be very very very very very out of whack. so out of what it will be dangrous to drive and unevenly wear your new tyres significantly. So I would not drive on an unaligned car for more than a week.

[bruce]

Is it important to get a 4 wheel alignment or just a front wheel alignment (it's for my shopping trolley)?
Is it affected by a car being front or rear wheel drive?