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SuperPro Polyurethane LCA bushings

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Old Sep 16, 2019 | 01:19 AM
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chezgk's Avatar
chezgk
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Joined: Jul 2012
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From: MNL PH
Default SuperPro Polyurethane LCA bushings

Thought I'd share that SuperPro polyurethane lower control arm bushings for the XA30 and XA40 RAV4's fit our vehicles perfectly. Expected, as both the RAV4 and NX's lower control arms are interchangeable. The parts I had installed were:

SPF3589K: front LCA PU bushing, center holed
SPF3867K: rear LCA PU bushing, double offset (center holed and single offset models are also available)

SuperPro quotes 1* increase in caster for their double offset kit. We probably got another degree or so by pulling the front lower subframe forward while tightening everything back up (big difference where the bolts and nuts now sit relative to wear marks indicating where they used to be). As my caster used to be 5* to 5.5*, current caster should be around 7* to 7.5*. This is slightly more than the current VA Subaru WRX's IIRC.

Install instructions: I generally followed TRAV4.net's guide for the XA30 RAV4 here: TRAV4.net Front Suspension Lower No. 1 arm guide and Cusco's installation guide for the NX/Alphard/Estima/Previa's front sway bar here: Cusco front sway bar guide

Initial impressions: Steering feedback was greatly improved, despite my reversion to the original front sway bar. There is a little increase in steering effort required, but that's usual fare for caster increases. Ride is also a little firmer with the PU bushings despite reverting to the OEM bar, compared to the original rubber LCA bushing-Cusco 30mm front bar combo. The nose dives less when braking hard. Accelerating hard out of corners no longer triggers traction control. I haven't been able to do any sort of spirited run but expect greater front end cornering grip the next time I do so, reason being the increased caster causing wheels to lean towards whichever direction the steering wheel is turned to. This is commonly known as dynamic camber gain.

Photos: I wasn't able to take much during the install, just after the install with the vehicle parked. The front wheels are now pushed forward and no longer centered in the wheel well - the only telltale sign of increased caster. (no rubbing)

Hope this helps others.


Last edited by chezgk; Sep 16, 2019 at 05:05 AM.
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