jutny

can someone tell me how specifically to replace the stock lower control arm bushings with the Energy Suspension ones from mazdatrix? (front suspension)

i have to get the whole front suspension done tomorrow in preperation for Rotorfest2k3 on sunday, as of now the car is up on blocks, and that's not really gonna cut it.

I have NEW control arms (from mazdatrix), and they came with new bushings, but i want to use the Polyurethane ones just for the hell of it, but i'm a little unclear as to the installation process, so if someone could clear that up by like... 10:00 am tomorrow, that would be so key.

nosajwrx-7

hold the arm on top of a vise with the jaws apart enough for the sleave to slide though, now, knock it out with a hammer and punch. Now, open the vise up further and do the same with the rubber portion. It may help to cut the fat end of the bushing off so that the arm will sit on the vise more.

inittab

The bushings
punch out, drill out, burn out, scrape out, dig out, sand out the old bushings. Whatever works for you just get 'em out. When installing the poly bushings, use plenty of that grease that comes with them. I used synthetic grease on mine and it worked great!

The process
Chock the front wheels, put the back part of the frame of the car on jack stands and support the "pumpkin" with a jack. Take the wheels off and then remove each lower control arm. While your under there, loosen up the upper control arms (all four bolts). Now go ahead and install your new lower control arms but leave the bolts loose, do NOT torque them down. Lift the rear of the car with the jack and put the jackstands under the axle and rest the car on them. This will put all of the weight of the car on the axle. Now go ahead and torque the upper and lower control arm bolts to factory spec. Double check your work, put the tires back on and go for a spin! Good luck!

I'm bummed that I can't make Rotorfest2k3 this Sunday! Take some pics and post 'em here okay?

--Bob

jutny

aw man, why cant you make it?

LongDuck

Same story here - just purchased Mazdatrix lower control arms (fronts), both sides, and have decided to stick with the Mazda engineers and leave the rubber bushings in place on the lower control arms rather than swap them out for the polymer ones.

I think that the rubber has more flex, which may help to extend the life of other rubber components in the front suspension, given that I have already installed RB springs, Koni 1-1/8" stabilizer, and MB272 15x6.5 wheels and tires. With these mods, I think they have contributed to the failure of the rubber donut at the strut tower mount.

Given that, I decided to go simple and stick with the parts as they come. For the added $15 for the Energy Suspension poly-bushings, I don't need the hassle of punching out the stock (and brand new) bushings. On another note, Mazdatrix notes that the ball joint and the lower bushing go out at the same time, and I want to keep these components in balance.

Please let us know how your installation goes, however, as I'd like to know if there's performance to be gained using poly. Thanks,

82transam

iTrader: (18)

cause he's whipped thats why


just jokin bob.

Yea, to get the bushings out cut the fat end off with a hack saw or something then put it in a vice and smash the rest out with a punch and BFH. I took it all out at once, no need to get the metal and rubber out seperate.

82transam

iTrader: (18)

oh yea, don't kill yourself trying to make the car perfect for rotorfest, just make sure your there, hell my car is gonna be half primer