Kenteth

I have an S5 with a bad ball joint.

I've got a set of S4 LCAs with S4 sway bar links. The LCAs probably need new bushings.

So I'm thinking of what all I need to buy--

1) S4 Ball joints (pair)
2) Mazdatrix Swaybar links (the kind you set for 0-prelooad). -- Will the "86-91" mt links work with the S4 LCA/S5 Chasis setup?
3) Bushing kit: I need a bushing kit. The bushings on the LCAs look ok, but I figure I might as well replace them. If I get a poly bushing kit, will the 2nd gen kit work across the board -- covering all the S5 suspension, AND the S4 LCAs, or will I need to by the S4 LCA bushings seperately?

Also:

If I get the MT sway bar links, do they include the bushings with them, its hard to tell in the picture on their website.

MT suspension: http://www.mazdatrix.com/h6_86-92.htm
mt links: H-M010F
sway bar bushing: H-95128
2nd sway bar bushing: H-98134
f-LCA bushings: H-113102

Racing beat alternatives: www.racignbeat.com
rb links: Sway Bar End Links

Corksport: http://www.corksport.com/store/index.php3?cat=214917
Prothane bushing kit: "This urethane bushing kit comes with bushings for the rear sway bar(14mm), front sway bar (24mm, fits "A" brkt), rear c-arm, front c-arm, tie rod end boots (.472"X1.200" and .550"X1.438") "

Thanks for clearing stuff up for me.

scathcart

2) Yes, they will work fantastic.
3) If you get the 2nd gen complete kit, you will get all the bushings for the sway bars to fit your car AND the bushings to fit in the stock S4 endlinks... if you are replacing the endlinks with the Mazdatrix versions, you would not need the Endlink bushings.
The LCA bushings themselves are identical between series, the only difference is the endlinks, the ball joints, and the endlink mounts.

ALSO:
The MT sway bar endlinks don't use bushings... at all. They replace the binding rubber/polyureathane bushings with a spherical metal ball joints. As far as handling goes, the MT bushings are, by far, the best, offering the least resistance to suspension bind and almost zero deflection.

ilike2eatricers

I have the mazdatrix adjustable sway bar endlinks and there are no bushings. They have eyelets that swivel and metal beveled spacers that mate up to the eyelets but no bushings.I actually need to readjust mine today since I misunderstood the directions. All the pieces are metal and very well made.

Kenteth

Excellent, thanks guys

inflatablepets

I don't think the links will work properly. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. The S5 Sstabilizer bar is shorter than the S4 unit. There will be quite an angle on the links if you use S4 links and S5 stabilizer bar. I have this on the car right now and plan to change the setup when the weather warms up a bit.

ilike2eatricers

I'm having some issues adjusting them right now. Mazdatrix advertises that they work for s5's.

https://www.rx7club.com/suspension-wheels-tires-brakes-20/how-properly-adjust-preload-swaybars-374633/#post3858162

Kenteth

You're using S4 links with S5 LCAs or S4 LCAS?? The setup I'm proposing is an S5 stabilizer bar, S4 LCA, and the MT links.

inflatablepets

Sorry I wasn't specific. S4 lower control arms. When I bought the car, one side was a S4 LCA because they had no idea as to what they were doing. The car was ditched ir crubed really bad. I then replaced the S5 LCA on the driver side with a S4 LCA from my parts car. They didn't have the seay bar links hooked up, the S5 Passenger side link was missing. I then took the S4 links off my parts car. Now I need to take the sway bar off, and replace the front end bushings.

Kenteth

Ok... sooo...

S5 chasis, S4 LCAS, S4 links, and an S5 sway bar didin't work? Or did it have an S4 sway bar? Reason I ask is there have been many reports that the way around the POS S5 ball joints is to use S4 LCAs and S4 Links with the S5 sway bar?

inflatablepets

Well, It does work, just not well. The S5 Sway bar is shorter from the end link mounting points and the S4 links are a bit shorter. It puts a great deal of torsion on the sway bar. I'll get a pic of it shortly.

Kenteth

So you're saying S4 Sway bar to compliment the MT links, and S4 LCAs?

inflatablepets

Yes.
Here are pics of S5 car, S4 lower control arms, s4 end links, S5 sway bar. Note the angle of the links, and the stress they put on the bushing.
http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=12/36015362765.jpg
http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=12/36015365592.jpg

RX8SS

Great info, I'm in the process of doing the same thing. But I do have a s4 sway bar and now I am going to remove my s5 and put in the s4 to get the correct link positions.

Later

VacavilleFC

can i get a repost of those pictures of the differences in those parts please

inflatablepets

Sorry, I don't have the pics anymore.

For that matter, I don't have the car anymore either.