spherical load bushings?
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spherical load bushings?
Just got my car back from the shop a few weeks ago! Its running solid. The guy who tuned my car drove it around and said I should replace my spherical load bushings. I've never hear of them? Their are 6 bushings total (3 per side). From what he told me two are found in the lower control arms, and I believe one is in the upright itself? Does anyone have any info on these bushings and where i could get some? He said i could get them from Mazda but they are $80 a peice
#6
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The shop is correct there are six pillow ball or spherical ball bushings in the rear suspension. Three on each side. With mileage they do tend to get loose and become very noisy. Even a little play in one bushing can be amplified and result in knocking. Go here for more details... Pillow Ball Replacement
In my experience it's very difficult to locate the specific offending bushing. And since if one is getting worn the other five probably are close behind. its usually easier and no more expensive in the long run to just replace all of them.
If any of the rubber seals on those bushings are bad or dried out replace them as well. They aren't expensive. And be sure to add some grease underneath the seals when reinstalling. It's not so much for lubrication but to keep moisture and dirt out.
While that link is informative personally I think you need A traditional press for them. If you don't have one it may be best to have it done professionally. You can save yourself some money by taking the individual suspension pieces off yourself.
In my experience it's very difficult to locate the specific offending bushing. And since if one is getting worn the other five probably are close behind. its usually easier and no more expensive in the long run to just replace all of them.
If any of the rubber seals on those bushings are bad or dried out replace them as well. They aren't expensive. And be sure to add some grease underneath the seals when reinstalling. It's not so much for lubrication but to keep moisture and dirt out.
While that link is informative personally I think you need A traditional press for them. If you don't have one it may be best to have it done professionally. You can save yourself some money by taking the individual suspension pieces off yourself.
Last edited by Sgtblue; 07-30-15 at 05:54 PM.
#7
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thanks for all the help! Im almost 99% sure that was the bushings he was speaking of! Ive never heard of the being called spherical load bushings though.
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#8
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If money is tight and you don't want to replace them all...in my experience it's usually the lower one on the 'I' arm that's wears out first. My replacements have lasted ~70k now and I credit that to using a needle grease-gun fitting to keep grease behind the seals.
#9
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I'm a little late to the party but clunking in the rear is usually caused by worn pillow ***** (never heard them called spherical load bushings either). It's best to just replace all of them at once but like Sgtblue said, you can get away with replacing the bad one(s) if you're really tight on money. Genuine Mazda pillow ***** need to be greased after pressing them in. J-AUTO pillow ***** are maintenance free and don't require any grease. Grease will actually shorten the life of J-AUTO pillow *****.
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Sorry for the lack of responce! i did go to the local Mazda dealership and they quoted me at $550.00 for all 6! I think im gonna go the j-auto.net route! thanks for all the help guys!
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