Need help locating OEM 1g AWD rear subframe bushing

mondale · May 13, 2013

I am looking for a source for the stock type rear subframe bushings. Not the mustache bar bushings, but the big ones that tuners nation and boostedx sold poly replacements for. The issue that I am having is that my outer ring of my stock bushing is badly rusted, and this ring must be present for a proper fit of the machined aluminum bushings that I have purchased from Bulfab found here:
Bulfab, LLC. Custom Fabrication - Subframe Bushings
I do not think that the bushings will fit properly as they are a very tight fit by design. I would be willing to buy 2 new OEM or OEM type (napa or etc which I have tried already) bushings and destroy them to get this outer ring that I need. Does anyone know where I can get these new? Mitsu says no, as well as all the store front parts stores that are nationwide. I am running out of ideas besides returning these ones and getting a custom set machined that will fit without the outer bushing ring in the subframe. Thank you for looking!

3kgt2nv · May 13, 2013

how many do you need. they are non replaceable parts from mitsu so the only option is to have a set or get one from a subframe.

I have a parts rear subframe i could get you one from

mondale · May 13, 2013

I would need 2 that are rust free or close to it. I am not sure if you will be able to get them out of the subframe without damaging them though?

3kgt2nv · May 13, 2013

ill take a look at them. i have a blasting cabinet so making them rust free is not an issue

mondale · May 13, 2013

Sounds good. Its not necessarily the cosmetic rust or the rust that is protruding that is an issue, it is the rust that has taken away from the thickness of the metal in my case that will cause the bushing to not be held tightly. A sandblaster may help getting the bushing out by removing the rust, but if the rust has left spots thinner, then I am in the same boat as I am now. Please let me know what you find on them, mine appeared fine until I drilled out the bonded rubber portion, then you could see where water had done damage for 20 years. Anyone else know if anyone over in China re-pops these and sells them as oem replacements in case 3kgt2nv's are rusted as well?

GSLENK · May 13, 2013

I doubt china has any interest in producing knockoff sleeves.

performance · May 13, 2013

Subframe & mustache bushing SALE $157 - DSM Classifieds Insert, if i'm not mistaken, 3 inch exhaust piping for new sleeves.

3kgt2nv · May 14, 2013

mine are shot. i beat one up getting them out but they are noticeably thinner in the exposed parts

mondale · May 14, 2013

performance said:
Subframe & mustache bushing SALE $157 - DSM Classifieds Insert, if i'm not mistaken, 3 inch exhaust piping for new sleeves.

Could you link to a source on the 3 inch exhaust bit? It would have to be within a few thousandths of new OEM for it to work correctly on both the outer and inner diameters. It would be awesome if they are the same but seems a bit too convenient for these cars.

3kgt2nv- Thank you for looking. I am not sure how many people's outer rings are in good shape to be honest - my car has some under body surface rust only. I think it is one of the cleaner 1g's on the road in my area and the bushing rings are still toast.

3kgt2nv · May 14, 2013

its why i went with the boostx poly bushings. they didnt need to be as perfect since the poly will expand a bit when compressed with the bolts.

performance · May 14, 2013

Boostx made them specifically to replace only the rubber bushing, because northern cars are prone to rust. Hence why we talked about the sleeve inserts. When I picked mine up from him, he stated that exhaust pipe will work, but they must be pressed in. The sleeves are important, because of the rigidity aspect. I can have a measurement tomorrow morning. Funny enough my subframe is out, and I'm doing a complete overhaul on the diff, propeller shaft, and subframe. Sorry, I don't have the measurement this second, and it's too dark to scurry around outside.

mondale · May 15, 2013

performance said:
Boostx made them specifically to replace only the rubber bushing, because northern cars are prone to rust. Hence why we talked about the sleeve inserts. When I picked mine up from him, he stated that exhaust pipe will work, but they must be pressed in. The sleeves are important, because of the rigidity aspect. I can have a measurement tomorrow morning. Funny enough my subframe is out, and I'm doing a complete overhaul on the diff, propeller shaft, and subframe. Sorry, I don't have the measurement this second, and it's too dark to scurry around outside.

I am curious if the 3 inch will actually be a tight enough fit in the subframe and the aluminum bushing at the same time. Could you please take a measurement with a caliper of the bore of the hole the bushing goes in with the outer bushing ring knocked out of it (if you are removing the whole bushing)? I am kind of in a hard place because to get that measurement would mean that I would ruin the outer ring getting it out. If the exhaust pipe won't work with these solid bushings, I would have to return them and get some poly ones from whoever makes them anymore.

performance · May 15, 2013

Leave the ring. It is crucial that it is not removed. The outer ring is tempered. I burned my bushings out. Get the poly bushings. The aluminum bushings will make you to hate driving your car. Hit up Boostx. He makes them as a combo for the subframe and mustache bar. Boostx told me 3" exhaust can be used if the outer ring is rusted out, or for some reason you take it out.

mondale · May 15, 2013

performance said:
Leave the ring. It is crucial that it is not removed. The outer ring is tempered. I burned my bushings out. Get the poly bushings. The aluminum bushings will make you to hate driving your car. Hit up Boostx. He makes them as a combo for the subframe and mustache bar. Boostx told me 3" exhaust can be used if the outer ring is rusted out, or for some reason you take it out.

That is what I really needed to know. I picked up a 3" OD section and it seems like it is right on as far as piping to bushing fit. I am going to try to get the rusted outer ring out of the subframe tomorrow. They are just too far gone for me to put confidence in with how thin they are in some spots. Hopefully the OD of the exhaust piping fits tightly like boostedx says, if it is then this just might work! I am not concerned with the noise, the mustache bar is a tubular solid mount as well, and the car isn't driven much at all. I will post results when I get things further apart.

GPLaserRS · Feb 16, 2014

Mondale, did the 3" exhaust pipe pieces work as a good substitute sleeve for your poly bushings? I'm in the same situation and knowing that this is a solution would help infinitely...

xincubusx311 · Mar 10, 2014

Has the exhaust pipe as a sleeve worked for you guys? Im in the same boat right now. I removed the outer sleeve without knowing it needed to stay in. I don't want to buy another subframe if I don't have to.

94allwheeldsm · Mar 10, 2014

When I replaced my rear subframe bushings with the RTM bushings the outer ring came out due to being so rusty. I don't understand why they would make those bushings to retain that outer sleeve on 20+ year old cars. It just doesn't make sense! So I had to use a 3" exhaust with a wedge cut out of it because the subframe tapers at the top.

GPLaserRS · Mar 16, 2014

The 3" exhaust pipe I picked up at the local auto parts store fit over the poly bushing perfectly. I am currently in the process of media blasting out the rust inside of where the bushing fits inside the subframe. I'll post pics when I get a chance to show how it looks.

Guillaume · Mar 16, 2014

Not sure that's what you are looking for but I would give these guys a call anyways

RTM Racing :: MITSUBISHI :: DSM: 1g (90-94) :: Suspension & Steering :: Bushing Kits :: RTM Rear Subframe Bushing Kit: 1g DSM

GPLaserRS · Mar 16, 2014

Guillaume said:
Not sure that's what you are looking for but I would give these guys a call anyways

RTM Racing :: MITSUBISHI :: DSM: 1g (90-94) :: Suspension & Steering :: Bushing Kits :: RTM Rear Subframe Bushing Kit: 1g DSM

The original maker of the bushings was Tuner Nation, their kit required the use of the stock rubber bushing (outer) sleeve to press the new poly bushing in to. For a lot of us that have rust this isn't an option because that sleeve rots out and then the poly bushing won't fit tight like it needs to. RTM does make a version also, but it too requires the stock sleeve. But for the people interested in this thread, we need to find a solution to make the poly bushings (be it Tuner Nation or RTM) we already have work. Hence the "3" exhaust pipe sleeve" fix. But, for anyone looking to pick up a new set of rear sub frame bushings, RTM is who I'd recommend.

Paul@RTM · Mar 16, 2014

RTM does make a version that eliminates the need for the stock sleeve, but for the people interested in this thread have the original version and need to find a solution to make them work. Hence the "3" exhaust pipe sleeve" fix.

I'm not sure what you're trying to say, but it may confuse some people about what RTM makes. RTM's bushings do not require the INNER sleeve to be re-used (the stock inner sleeve has an ID to fit a 14mm bolt and the OD is about 3/4"), however, the RTM bushings require that the OUTER sleeve (the stock one is about 2.8" in diameter) be retained. If this OUTER sleeve is not retained, RTM's bushings will NOT work correctly. You mention the "3 inch exhaust pipe sleeve fix" which I assume is in reference to the large outer sleeve. Just to repeat, RTM's bushings require the large diameter outer bushing be retained and in reasonably good condition.

GPLaserRS · Mar 17, 2014

Paul, I apologize and edited my last post. I had to go to your site and re-read your product description a couple times before it clicked. RTM kit bushings have a tapper at the top and replace the inner sleeve with a new one, but require the use of the original outer sleeve.

Is there a chance you guys would be willing to take some measurements and make a poly bushing that doesn't require an outer sleeve at all?

Paul@RTM · Mar 17, 2014

Is there a chance you guys would be willing to take some measurements and make a poly bushing that doesn't require an outer sleeve at all?

We're picking up a rear subframe locally which we can use for R&D. We're going to use it to see what the possibilities are. We may design our own metal sleeve to replace, or as you suggest, a urethane bushing that doesn't require a sleeve. We won't know 'til we have the subframe and start cutting into it.

LaserRS92 · Mar 17, 2014

I know this is the start of an idea, but when do you recommend I check back on this for results? 2 months? Just looking for an idea.

Paul@RTM · Mar 17, 2014

I know this is the start of an idea, but when do you recommend I check back on this for results? 2 months? Just looking for an idea.

We'd have at least a notion of what's involved probably sooner than that. But an actual sellable product (if we even decided to take on such a project) would be a few months at least. Since we're not a Supporting Vendor we certainly wouldn't be announcing the existence of such a product on this forum.

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Need help locating OEM 1g AWD rear subframe bushing

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