One reason Energy Suspension has remained one of the most respected names in performance suspension is the breadth of its product lineup. Rather than specializing in one component, the company offers polyurethane replacements for nearly every suspension and drivetrain mounting point on many popular domestic and import vehicles.
This allows enthusiasts to replace only the bushings they need—or completely rebuild an aging suspension with a Master Bushing Kit.
Whether you’re restoring a 1993 Honda Civic, building a Lexus IS300 drift car, tightening the steering on a Toyota Tacoma, or refreshing a Mazda Miata, understanding what each component actually does is the key to building a suspension that performs as intended.
Master Bushing Kits: The Complete Suspension Refresh
If your vehicle is more than 15 years old, chances are nearly every factory rubber bushing has begun to deteriorate.
Instead of replacing individual bushings one at a time, Master Bushing Kits replace nearly every major suspension bushing throughout the chassis.
Examples include:
- Energy Suspension 16.18103R — 1992–1995 Honda Civic / 1993–1997 Civic del Sol
- Energy Suspension 11.18102G — Mazda Miata Hyper-Flex Master Kit
These kits typically include bushings for multiple suspension locations, allowing the entire suspension to work together as a system rather than leaving old rubber mixed with new polyurethane.
Benefits
- Restores factory suspension geometry
- Reduces unwanted suspension movement
- Improves steering response
- Eliminates worn rubber throughout the chassis
- Improves braking stability
- Reduces chassis flex
- Extends suspension service life
Master kits are especially valuable for:
- Restoration projects
- High-mileage vehicles
- Track cars
- Autocross builds
- Weekend canyon cars
Control Arm Bushings
Control arms determine the exact position of each wheel during suspension travel.
Their bushings absorb loads created by:
- Acceleration
- Braking
- Cornering
- Road impacts
As rubber ages, control arm movement becomes increasingly unpredictable.
The result is:
- Steering wander
- Uneven tire wear
- Poor alignment retention
- Reduced braking stability
Products like the Energy Suspension 5.3122G Control Arm Bushing Set replace deteriorated rubber with Hyper-Flex polyurethane.
Why Upgrade?
Benefits include:
- Improved steering precision
- Better suspension articulation
- More consistent alignment
- Reduced control arm flex
- Improved chassis response
Control arm bushings are among the most noticeable upgrades for older performance cars.
Steering Rack Bushings
The steering rack transfers driver input directly to the front wheels.
Factory rubber rack bushings allow a surprising amount of movement under heavy steering loads.
Energy Suspension offers products including:
Replacing worn rack bushings helps eliminate unwanted rack movement.
Performance Improvements
Drivers typically notice:
- Faster steering response
- Better on-center feel
- Reduced steering delay
- More precise corner entry
- Improved front-end confidence
These upgrades are particularly popular among:
- Toyota truck owners
- Off-road enthusiasts
- Road course drivers
- Autocross competitors
Sway Bar Bushings
Sway bars—or anti-roll bars—connect the left and right suspension to reduce body roll.
The bushings supporting the sway bar play a larger role than many enthusiasts realize.
When rubber bushings soften:
- The sway bar twists before it begins working.
- Cornering response becomes delayed.
- Body roll increases.
Products such as:
- 8.5141R Front 26mm Sway Bar Bushings
- 8.5118R 27mm Toyota Front Sway Bar Bushings
- 9.5158G Greasable Universal Sway Bar Bushings
restore proper sway bar function.
Benefits
- Reduced body roll
- Improved cornering stability
- Sharper steering response
- Better suspension consistency
Because sway bar bushings are relatively inexpensive and easy to install, they’re often one of the best dollar-for-dollar suspension upgrades available.
End Link Bushings & Grommets
The sway bar itself is only part of the equation.
End links transfer suspension movement into the sway bar.
Energy Suspension products like the:
replace worn rubber components that often develop:
- Clunks
- Looseness
- Excessive compliance
Fresh polyurethane restores proper sway bar engagement while reducing unwanted movement.
Rear Trailing Arm Bushings
On many Honda platforms, rear trailing arm bushings become one of the first suspension components to fail.
The:
- Energy Suspension 16.7106G Rear Trailing Arm Bushing Set
is especially popular among:
- Honda Civic owners
- CRX enthusiasts
- Civic del Sol builders
- Acura Integra restorations
Why They Matter
Trailing arm bushings control:
- Rear wheel location
- Braking stability
- Rear toe consistency
- Suspension articulation
Replacing worn bushings reduces:
- Wheel hop
- Rear-end instability
- Tire wear
- Suspension noise
For older Hondas, few suspension upgrades provide a larger improvement.
Leaf Spring & Rear Spring Bushings
Truck owners often overlook leaf spring bushings until they begin hearing clunks from the rear suspension.
Energy Suspension offers several options, including:
These bushings help maintain:
- Axle location
- Spring alignment
- Towing stability
- Ride consistency
Benefits
- Better towing control
- Reduced axle wrap
- Less spring movement
- Improved rear suspension durability
These upgrades are ideal for:
- Pickup trucks
- SUVs
- Off-road builds
- Classic trucks
Transmission Mounts
Suspension isn’t the only place where polyurethane shines.
The drivetrain also relies on rubber mounts.
Products such as the:
- 3.1108R GM Transmission Mount
replace worn rubber transmission mounts with polyurethane.
Benefits include:
- Reduced drivetrain movement
- More consistent shifting
- Better throttle response
- Less wheel hop
- Improved drivetrain stability
Performance enthusiasts often combine polyurethane engine mounts with transmission mounts for even greater drivetrain control.
Body Mount Bushings
The body of a truck or body-on-frame SUV is isolated from the frame using body mounts.
Over time, these rubber mounts compress and crack.
Products including:
- 9.4102G Universal Body Mount Bushings
provide an excellent solution for:
- Restorations
- Custom builds
- Off-road vehicles
- Classic trucks
New polyurethane body mounts restore proper body alignment while improving chassis rigidity.
Universal Hyper-Flex Components
Not every suspension project uses vehicle-specific parts.
Energy Suspension also produces universal components for custom fabrication.
Examples include:
- Universal flange bushings
- Universal sway bar bushings
- Universal body mounts
- Shock eye bushings
- Shock mounting bushings
Examples from the Hyper-Flex lineup include:
- 9.8107R Hourglass Shock Eye Bushings
- 9.8141G Shock Bushing Set
- 9.9483R Universal Link Flange Bushings
These components are commonly used in:
- Custom race cars
- Off-road fabrication
- Hot rods
- Restomods
- Tube chassis builds
Choosing the Right Upgrade Path
One of the biggest mistakes enthusiasts make is replacing suspension components randomly.
A smarter approach is to prioritize upgrades based on the vehicle’s symptoms.
If your steering feels loose:
Upgrade:
- Steering rack bushings
- Control arm bushings
- Sway bar bushings
If the rear suspension feels unstable:
Upgrade:
- Trailing arm bushings
- Rear spring bushings
- Leaf spring bushings (truck applications)
If the drivetrain moves excessively:
Upgrade:
- Transmission mount
- Engine mounts
- Differential bushings (where applicable)
If you’re rebuilding an older chassis:
Start with a Master Bushing Kit.
Refreshing every major suspension pivot at once provides the greatest improvement in handling consistency while reducing future maintenance.
Why Energy Suspension Covers So Many Platforms
One reason Energy Suspension remains a favorite among enthusiasts is its extensive vehicle coverage. The product line supports everything from Honda Civic, CRX, Civic del Sol, Acura Integra, Mazda Miata, Toyota trucks, Toyota SUVs, Lexus IS, Lexus GS, GM performance vehicles, Smart Fortwo, and numerous universal fabrication projects. That broad catalog makes it possible to use the same proven Hyper-Flex® polyurethane technology across nearly every suspension system on a project vehicle, creating a consistent driving feel and long-term durability.
Coming Up in Part 4
Next, we’ll examine real-world performance gains from polyurethane bushings, including how they affect steering response, suspension geometry, body roll, wheel hop, braking stability, towing performance, autocross lap consistency, track-day handling, off-road articulation, and tire wear. We’ll also compare OEM rubber vs polyurethane vs spherical bearings, helping readers determine which material is best for their driving style and build goals while targeting high-value SEO terms like polyurethane suspension bushings vs rubber, suspension handling upgrades, steering response improvement, wheel hop reduction, and suspension performance tuning.
