Can anyone help me with how to change the trailing arm bushings? The FSM describes a complete rear end disassembly, but I just want to change the bushings. Any tricks – short cuts?

 

Or should I just take it to a $hop?

 

i need some bushings for my car too, i have tried everywhere and if i getthem from mazda i was lookig at 400 for a peice i didn't need. insted i just took epoxy to it and made it work, can doesn't quite handle the same but that is the way it is going to be until i find a replacement...if you find of anything let me know

 

I got the bushings and had a look at it last weekend. I looks like you have to bend back some sheet metal just to get the pivot bolt out? I plan to mark the toe adjust position for reassembly. BUT, does the whole trailing arm have to come out, or can the bushings be replaced with everything else still attached?

 

I did all the bushings on the front a couple weeks ago on my car.

I'll be doing the back this weekend. I have not looked at it a lot, but I do not think there are any shortcuts. I believe that you have to take the whole rear assembly off to do it, including hub and everything. Thats what the directions said from the Racing Beat toe eliminator bushings at least, and I'm sure its the same for any of the trailing arm bushings.

 

Trailing arm bushings will require removing the brakes, triaxial floating hubs, rear sway bar, and rear shocks. And quite honestly, I can't see how you can get the front trailing arm bolts out without dropping the subframe (which is what I did).

Once the trailing arms are separated, you'll need a hammer, and chisel to punch out the old bushings, and a vice to squeeze in the new ones.

PaulC

 

Thanks Paul.
I guess I'll have to just ignore the clunks & groans until I have a full Saturday free.

 

You can get the bolts out but I had to cut some of the body flange away to do it. Just plan on dropping the subframe. Make sure when removing the bushings you get it all out. If the new bushing doesn't slide in with relative ease there is still part of the old one in there. It's a metal sleeve that lloks like it's part of the trailing arm. If you don't get it out you'll know it. Plan on a LONG day to get it all done. An alignment isn't a bad idea when you're done.

Chris