Now that the weather is nice, I am going to put on the front end of the ES kit I have. First are the tie rods... which is problem #1. Here is a picture of what I am working with:



Now, I had to burn off the bottom half of one of the torn bushings on the ball joint side (Right side in the picture). Couldn't figure out why it was looking funny and was different than the stock bushing. The stock went around the joint but inside the rod end lip, so to speak, whereas this one goes around? I was confused until I pushed it all the way down and it snapped around the whole end, instead of between the lip and ball joint like stock. I assume that is correct? Also, I will put some new axle grease in it, is that alright?

Now for the other end. It had a different bushing stock, but I am supplied with the same bushing as the other side. It is much too big!



How are these things supposed to go on? Am I missing something?

 

How long have you had the car? It's probably been "rigged" in the past and the wrong or cheap aftermarket tie rod end installed. Get some quality replacements like Moog brand or "Power Performance" if they make 'em for FB's and put the dust boot covers on the new ones. Hell, those dust boot covers don't do anything for performance-just for looks anyway...

 

BTW-a quality aftermarket replacement will have a zerk fitting so you can purge out any contaiminated or old grease with fresh grease from a gun...

 

It has it, see picture.

 

Right hand side of the first pic doesn't have one...Sorry I didn't see it in the other pic...

 

It does not have a ball joint. That is what hooks to the wheel portion of the car. I suck at terms, sorry.

 

Ok, lets get some terminology straight first. What your messing with there are just the dust covers for the tie rod ends; inner and outer. The outer is the wheel side. If the covers were ripped or bad, then by all means replace them. I did this on mine a long time ago, the covers just snap on over the tie rod end. Not sure why the one is sooooo much smaller, maybe theres a smaller boot you can get. Check the mazdatrix site and see what they list for the covers inner and outer. May be different part numbers.

Now the bushings are in two places; the first one is in the pivot point of the lower control arm and is a bitch to get out and the second ones are in the front on the frame under the radiator with the big torsion rods that attach to the lower control arm. They are big two piece donuts and are fairly easy to replace just be careful to mark the amount the torsion rod nut is tighten down so when you put the new bushings in you get back to that same setting so your alignment will be close to right. You may still want to get it aligned once you change out everything.

Note the ball joints are sealed and not meant to be replaced in the control arm. I've heard of replacing them but you have to make sure they are anchored in there with a weld or a clip so they can't come loose. Normally you replace the control arm if the ball joints are loose.

 

Thanks

This just in: They are generic ES bushings that can be used for an assortment of cars. I guess I just put it on and hope for the best.