Update... I just got the Lower control arm Heim links.. Rear will be finished tommorow. Will post more pics also. I'll measure for a new driveshaft after the install and should drive the car next week..

 

 

What ever happen with the further updates on this? ;]

 

Wondering as well, looks like Steve was banned for some reason though.

I have my rear end in now as well, and am wondering why Steve said he had to run heim links for the lower links to center the rear end properly? I have also read that it is a bad idea to use heim links for the trailing arms...

Here is just a quick shot of my rear end, I have to take a couple more but I am in the process of installing the wilwood rear brakes.

 

prob got banned for posting pics of that sweet fd in the 1st gen section

 

Other than being noisy, why would rodends be a bad idea ?

 

IIRC, he was banned due to threatening or something

 

Well according to mazdatrix: "We have found that the rear suspension on these cars needs to have soft rubber bushings in order to move properly. Replacing the bushings in these links with urethane or heim joints is not recommended. In addition, as the rubber in these links ages, it becomes harder. If you are trying to make the car handle consistently, we recommend replacing all four links with new Mazda links, especially on race cars!"

How true this is I dunno, thats why I was kinda looking for some input from Steve on the subject.

 

I believe this only applies when retaining the stock 4 link.
Since the upper and lower links are unequal length,they compress the rubber bushings as they swing at different rates,which is what causes the rearend suspension bind in our cars.By keeping the bushings soft,they can compress and reduce the bind.This is why you can replace the lower rod ends with poly and not have much problem,since the upper arm's bushings will still compress and deform.
If you switch to a 3 link,then the rearend can swing without binding and the bushings can become heim ends or some other more ridgid type of swivel.