I got a complete front end set of Energy Suspension poly bushings from Mazdatrix today, including sway bar end link bushings, sway bar mount bushings, tension rod bushings, and lower control arm bushings. I went to install them (starting with the sway bar mount bushings), and I immediately hit a snag. After having to pry the mount bracket off, I removed the old bushing, lubed and installed the new one (checking to make sure it was the same size), and went to reinstall the bracket, when I discovered that the bracket's hole is about 1/4 inch too far towards the rear of the car to line up with the corresponding hole on the subframe.

I tried levering the swaybar forward to get the holes to line up, but all that did was cause the bracket to tilt forward, and away from the hole. Hence, i need some assistance from somebody who has some insight into this dilema, or has done the same thing i have (tried searching, and didn't come up with anything usefull).

My car is currently half in and half out of my garage (don't ask why), so, as you can imagine, I'm in a little bit of trouble if I can't get this worked out.

If if turns out I need to take it to a mechanic, I'd like to know that as soon as possible so that i can put back together what I can and make an appointment.

Also, it there's anything I might need to know for the installation of the rest of the front end bushings, let me know now so that I might not have to make another thread.

Thanks---Fred

 

I dunno man..... mine went in just fine. Is the sway bar disconnected from the end links? Maybe it's just binding up on ya. Work it a little, I'm sure it'll go in.

I had the hardest time with the lower control arm bushings. I think I ended up drilling the damned things out. I couldn't press the new ones in either so I brought 'em down to the local garage and they used a press. Good luck with the project your handling will by WAY tighter when it's done!

--Bob

 

Well, I finally got the holes to line up after doing what inittab suggested and undoing the end link, but now I have a different problem. The bolt refuses to thread in. Its almost as if the threads on the really shallow taper on the end aren't quite spaced right or something. Does anybody know the specs for those bolts so I can just buy a couple new, regular ones? Thanks.

-Fred

 

Hey Fred, glad ya got it to go. Those new poly bushings aren't as flexible as the old rubber ones eh? As with most bolts I "undo" on the rex, I pretty much always use anti-seize when resinstalling. It helps lubricate the rusted bolts and makes removal much easier the next time. Try using some anti-seize, it's messy but it's well worth the investment and always works for me.

--Bob

 

Put the bolt in without the brace to rethread the bolt. That should work.