What struts/bushings to buy?
10-28-13, 10:41 AM
#1
What struts/bushings to buy?
I'm looking to replace the OEM struts (as well as possibly the springs) on an '87 TII.
Also, pretty much every bushing in the car is toast, so I'd like to replace those as well. At least all the swaybar bushings (including the endlinks) and the control arm bushings in the front, and the trailing arm/trailing arm link bushings in the rear.
I'm looking for parts that are OEM or a slight upgrade in terms of overall and ride quality.
I don't want to put squeaky poly bushings in the car, or struts that are going to be worn out in 6 months, and I don't want it to ride any worse than it did when it left the factory.
What should I buy? (and where should I get it from?) I'd like to keep the parts pricing under $700 if that's possible.
Also, pretty much every bushing in the car is toast, so I'd like to replace those as well. At least all the swaybar bushings (including the endlinks) and the control arm bushings in the front, and the trailing arm/trailing arm link bushings in the rear.
I'm looking for parts that are OEM or a slight upgrade in terms of overall and ride quality.
I don't want to put squeaky poly bushings in the car, or struts that are going to be worn out in 6 months, and I don't want it to ride any worse than it did when it left the factory.
What should I buy? (and where should I get it from?) I'd like to keep the parts pricing under $700 if that's possible.
10-28-13, 11:06 AM
#2
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Posts: 30,827
Received 2,595 Likes
on
1,843 Posts
Racing beat has some nice sway bar endlinks, Sway Bar End Links - Front or Rear for 86-92 RX-7 - Racing Beat
or i think you can buy bushings for the stock S4 links?
for the rear trailing arm bushing, i like the OEM one, as its a multi axis pivot. the OE bushings are cheap too.
in the front i would actually also stick with OEM or the competition if you can find em. i put a set of poly arms on mine and i don't like the way they pivot, or more accurately, they don't move freely enough. again the stock bushings are cheap too.
for springs the eibach prokit is probably the "best" if you can find a set, pretty sure they don't sell it new anymore.
for struts i like the KYB AGX's as a drop in, but the tokico is good too.
or i think you can buy bushings for the stock S4 links?
for the rear trailing arm bushing, i like the OEM one, as its a multi axis pivot. the OE bushings are cheap too.
in the front i would actually also stick with OEM or the competition if you can find em. i put a set of poly arms on mine and i don't like the way they pivot, or more accurately, they don't move freely enough. again the stock bushings are cheap too.
for springs the eibach prokit is probably the "best" if you can find a set, pretty sure they don't sell it new anymore.
for struts i like the KYB AGX's as a drop in, but the tokico is good too.
10-28-13, 12:29 PM
#4
Racing beat has some nice sway bar endlinks, Sway Bar End Links - Front or Rear for 86-92 RX-7 - Racing Beat
or i think you can buy bushings for the stock S4 links?
for the rear trailing arm bushing, i like the OEM one, as its a multi axis pivot. the OE bushings are cheap too.
in the front i would actually also stick with OEM or the competition if you can find em. i put a set of poly arms on mine and i don't like the way they pivot, or more accurately, they don't move freely enough. again the stock bushings are cheap too.
for springs the eibach prokit is probably the "best" if you can find a set, pretty sure they don't sell it new anymore.
for struts i like the KYB AGX's as a drop in, but the tokico is good too.
or i think you can buy bushings for the stock S4 links?
for the rear trailing arm bushing, i like the OEM one, as its a multi axis pivot. the OE bushings are cheap too.
in the front i would actually also stick with OEM or the competition if you can find em. i put a set of poly arms on mine and i don't like the way they pivot, or more accurately, they don't move freely enough. again the stock bushings are cheap too.
for springs the eibach prokit is probably the "best" if you can find a set, pretty sure they don't sell it new anymore.
for struts i like the KYB AGX's as a drop in, but the tokico is good too.
Where to get the OE bushings? The dealer?
I put poly bushings in my GTR and most are quiet but some are squeaky. The owner of this car is older and won't want anything to squeak, or I'd be more willing to consider putting poly ones in, especially with a whole master kits being so cheap.
10-28-13, 12:59 PM
#5
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Posts: 30,827
Received 2,595 Likes
on
1,843 Posts
Where to get the OE bushings? The dealer?
I put poly bushings in my GTR and most are quiet but some are squeaky. The owner of this car is older and won't want anything to squeak, or I'd be more willing to consider putting poly ones in, especially with a whole master kits being so cheap.
I put poly bushings in my GTR and most are quiet but some are squeaky. The owner of this car is older and won't want anything to squeak, or I'd be more willing to consider putting poly ones in, especially with a whole master kits being so cheap.
if you get any kind of deal the OEM bushings are in the $160 area, which is more than poly, but i wouldn't say its expensive either
10-28-13, 07:06 PM
#6
I carry OEM bushings and poly bushings for FCs. OEM will be more expensive than poly but it's still relatively cheap since FCs dont require that many bushings. As for shocks/struts, KYB AGX are the way to go at this point in time. The KYB's are adjustable and feel great on daily drivers on their softest setting. Your teeth and interior won't be rattled off especially when combined with the stock springs. Tokico's HP (blue shocks) are a very popular, non-adjustable stock replacement but unfortunately, Tokico isnt manufacturing anything at this time so these are on backorder for who knows how long.
All of these parts including sway bar links are available through my website: www.j-auto.net
All of these parts including sway bar links are available through my website: www.j-auto.net
Trending Topics
10-29-13, 11:09 AM
#8
I carry OEM bushings and poly bushings for FCs. OEM will be more expensive than poly but it's still relatively cheap since FCs dont require that many bushings. As for shocks/struts, KYB AGX are the way to go at this point in time. The KYB's are adjustable and feel great on daily drivers on their softest setting. Your teeth and interior won't be rattled off especially when combined with the stock springs. Tokico's HP (blue shocks) are a very popular, non-adjustable stock replacement but unfortunately, Tokico isnt manufacturing anything at this time so these are on backorder for who knows how long.
All of these parts including sway bar links are available through my website: J-AUTO - Bushings, Suspension, Brake Upgrades for Mazdas
All of these parts including sway bar links are available through my website: J-AUTO - Bushings, Suspension, Brake Upgrades for Mazdas
Thanks
10-29-13, 05:26 PM
#9
10-29-13, 05:42 PM
#10
+ 1 on the j-auto bushings. thats on my list to get the full kit. other wise the oem ones i think you can get from mazdatrix for about the same price. i have heard mixed issues with poly with bushings. not so much about squeak but stuff about over stiffness not enough flexibility and that oem are better. anything is better than what i got now (25 yr old squeaking oems) i wouldnt worry too much about it. get the j auto ones help support a fellow rx7 contributor stay in business.
10-29-13, 05:59 PM
#11
Moderator
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Posts: 30,827
Received 2,595 Likes
on
1,843 Posts
there are two kinds of pivots on the FC.
the front bushings are a simple single axis pivot, so any bushing works here, and the poly/delrin are good choices, the only thing you need to do is make sure it can pivot freely.
the rear is a multi axis bushing, it not only moves up and down, but it needs to twist too. this makes poly/delrin not such a great choice as they bind instead of pivoting. this leaves either spherical bearings or stock rubber as choices. the only real downside to the spherical bushings, besides cost is that they have no cushion, so when you hit stuff, it bends the car/arms subframe
10-29-13, 06:16 PM
#12
there are a few things that matter for bushing choice, and sometimes its an easy choice, and there is a compromise. obviously different materials have different properties
there are two kinds of pivots on the FC.
the front bushings are a simple single axis pivot, so any bushing works here, and the poly/delrin are good choices, the only thing you need to do is make sure it can pivot freely.
the rear is a multi axis bushing, it not only moves up and down, but it needs to twist too. this makes poly/delrin not such a great choice as they bind instead of pivoting. this leaves either spherical bearings or stock rubber as choices. the only real downside to the spherical bushings, besides cost is that they have no cushion, so when you hit stuff, it bends the car/arms subframe
there are two kinds of pivots on the FC.
the front bushings are a simple single axis pivot, so any bushing works here, and the poly/delrin are good choices, the only thing you need to do is make sure it can pivot freely.
the rear is a multi axis bushing, it not only moves up and down, but it needs to twist too. this makes poly/delrin not such a great choice as they bind instead of pivoting. this leaves either spherical bearings or stock rubber as choices. the only real downside to the spherical bushings, besides cost is that they have no cushion, so when you hit stuff, it bends the car/arms subframe
souds like the logical choice would be hard in her front (poly) and softly in her rear (oem) lol
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SakeBomb Garage
Group Buy & Product Dev. FD RX-7
8
10-09-15 10:05 PM
mulcryant
2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992)
10
09-09-15 05:24 PM