Anyone know where to find OEM rubber tension rod bushings? I don't really want to go poly up there - had some bad experiences with bent & broken TC rods on the 510.

 

Tried calling Mazda ?

 

part number is 8871-34-136B, Mazda has tons of them. retail list price is $7.16 each.

 

google that part number, you'll find it cheaper than $7.16 although it may not be "official mazda parts"

 

Thanks for the P/N - the parts guy at my local dealer couldn't find it without it. I can find em a bit cheaper online, but free overnight shipping is priceless

 

I've been running urethane on my '85 autocrosser/daily driver for several years now (50,000 miles?). The car is used hard, and makes cross country trips every year. Never had an issue with the tension rods, which I have just inspected again as part of a winter suspension inspection/refreshing.

The only real benefit I felt from the urethane bushings over stock was sharper control during braking. It felt a bit "mushy" with the rubber in there.

So, if you change your mind the ones I went with were from www.re-speed.com




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From what I've gathered the issues I've seen with Datsuns and poly tension rod bushings has more to do with the geometry of the front suspension. Shouldn't be as big an issue with RX7's.

The tension rods on 510s and Zs attach the control arm and body at a much steeper angle - their bushings need to flex and twist quite a bit to allow for natural suspension movement. Poly bushings take that flexability away, so something's got to give...

However, since that angle on the RX-7 is shallower poly bushings are more tolerable because the bushings aren't called upon to twist quite as much.