Nut size

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Oct 20, 2017 | 01:43 PM

lwrobins

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seattle seven

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From: bellingham wa

Nut size

What is the size socket needed for the center nut on the watts link for my 85 GSL.

Oct 20, 2017 | 05:20 PM

swbtm

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From: North Jersey

the center pivot bolt? 21mm, the same size as the control arm to body bolts. The other watts links are 19mm sockets. (I could be mistaken, but that would mean my eyes lied to me as I just looked, it has happened though)

Oct 25, 2017 | 12:19 PM

DreamInRotary

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From: Cambridge, Minnesota

I believe swbtm is correct, I don't remember there being a bigger nut back there. If there is I think it was 24 or 26mm, for the center linkage.

Oct 30, 2017 | 02:16 PM

82transam

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From: North Jersey

Yep 21mm for the big center pivot, same as the upper and lower control arm bolts. The watts to body bolts are a 17mm head, same as the lower shock mounts...

Oct 31, 2017 | 01:34 AM

LongDuck

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From: Phoenix, AZ

Are you guys running the OEM rubber bushings on the Watts link - or is polymer good in this location because there's less motion than the rear arms? I know it's bad ju-ju to install polymer on the upper and lower rear arms because they're too stiff and can actually tear off the mounts under hard driving. I have a full set of polymer bushings for the back, but am planning to go OEM Mazda and just curious what others have found.

Also, Mazdatrix offers this;

Worth it - or a solution looking for a problem? TIA

Last edited by 82transam; Oct 31, 2017 at 11:17 AM.

Oct 31, 2017 | 10:13 AM

DreamInRotary

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From: Cambridge, Minnesota

Quote:

Originally Posted by LongDuck

I have full polyurethane in mine, front and rear - every bushing offered by Energy Suspension. I can tell you that the rear end is stiff and tight with the bushings, but that's about it.
I don't have enough miles on this car to offer an opinion on comparing them over stock though, so I'll let someone else answer.

Oct 31, 2017 | 11:11 AM

82transam

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From: North Jersey

I had Poly in my watts for many years and it was great - same with the lower control arms. I kept rubber in the uppers though.

The Mazdatrix Watts reinforcement is a good investment I think. I have it on my one FB (the only one that still has a watts at this point) and it seems like good insurance. That said, I'd never had the stud shear off before installing it, but it can't hurt to put them in double shear

Last edited by 82transam; Oct 31, 2017 at 11:16 AM.

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Nov 1, 2017 | 11:16 PM

j9fd3s

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From: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/

Quote:

Originally Posted by LongDuck

Are you guys running the OEM rubber bushings on the Watts link - or is polymer good in this location because there's less motion than the rear arms?

i looked at mine, and went spherical bearing.

the axle has to twist as it goes up and down (pinion angle changes). i found on mine that the stock stuff binds, the spherical bearings can twist, so no binding. also it lets you center the axle in the car.