Replacing the idler arm
 

The bushings on my are gone and it's starting to make a lot of noise, wheres the best place to buy a new one to replace this?

Get a MOOG one from rockauto.com or a local auto parts store.

I've heard people talk about when you replace the idler arm to get upgraded bushings, does that one have upgraded bushings? doesn't say.

It has a balljoint so it's better, faster, stronger. Well, maybe not faster.

I see, how hard is it to replace these. Is it DIY capable?

yours is at the shop, come by and mail the rear spoiler and ill put it in

it is beyond easy, jack the car up, right side, remove carter pin, remove nut, and replace ! ! I replaced mine in 1990 and 2004.

So stock bushings hold up fine.

It's actually one of the easiest things to replace on the whole front end. Less total work than doing brake pads.

Cool! Definitely going to order one of those MOOG idler arms and replace it at my buddy's shop. Thanks guys!!

Just to confirm, the moog part comes with new bushings correct?

Alright just ordered the moog one, hopefully it does come with the new bushings! Will let everyone know how the installation goes, sounds pretty easy :)

do ball joints have bushings (yes i dont actually know...)

No not really. A ball joint is usually a metal ball in a cup. I suppose some could have nylon bushings to reduce friction, but I haven't seen any.

cool. something else confirmed

Should be pretty easy, I'm replacing all the tie rods(inner and outer), idler arm and getting an alignment before sevenstock. The moog part comes with one bushing, but there's another bushing you need to order.

I just did this last night and it was really easy (1/2 hour tops) you may need a pickle fork to pry the joint between the inner tie rod and the idler arm (so you can get the jaws of the pitman arm puller in)

Damnit really?? I need to find out which one so I don't have to wait around when I get the idler arm. I think it's this? Found right under the idler arm I ordered on rockauto:

1985 MAZDA RX-7 1.1L 1146cc R2 : Steering : Idler Arm Bushing
BECK/ARNLEY Part # 1013815 More Info

Part Image
$4.85

Yeah. That's the one you need.

Gotcha, going to purchase that now, thanks.

No prob, just get me a raffle ticket at SS :)

Haha, for sure. What car are you bringing?

I'll be bringing my 83 GSL. Can't wait!!

Nice!! Did you go last year?

Nope, I went to SS 9. This will be my second year coming. They better bring out the 787B! haha

Just out of curiosity, where does the other bushing go? I never really looked at my idler arm, just ripped the whole thing off and shoved it in the trash along with the rest of the steering system.

Looking from the image of the MOOG arm, I don't see where is would go. I always thought the moog piece did away with the bushing in exchange for a ball joint.

https://info.rockauto.com/getimage/g.../K9369_TOP.jpg