I recently changed all the pillow ***** on the left side of my car thinking it would cure the clunking problem i was experiencing. After replacement things were definitely better but there is still clunking going on back there. Is there any other bushes i should check, the rear end felt very solid when i put it back together.

I also changed the diff bushes while i was there so they can be dicounted.

Any help appreciated.

 

the top of the probability list as to clunking is the big fat rubber bushing located at the front of your lower (longitudinal) link in the rear.

3 options:

mazda only sells the bushing w the aluminum link (?) ($$)
remove the link (easy) press out the bushing and replace w a nylon bushing
buy/make a tubular link w a spherical rod end to replace the rubber. (Rotary Exteme or other vendors)

howard coleman

 

I had alot of clunking from the toe links as wel as pillow ballsl. I replaced all those and have almost no clunking left. I didnt do the trailing arms yet so I think that is where my occasional rare clunk is coming from, I have to hit a bump pretty hard to get any noise now.

 

I'm planing on doing the pillow *****, trailing arms and toe-links over the winter, i don't think my diff bushings are very bad, plus they look like a PITA to change out. How hard was that?

 

If above is not replaced and "clunking" noise continues will it damage the suspension of the car?

 

Why dont you go ahead and replace the pillow ball bushings on the right side of the car too? I never understood why people do things like this half assed.

 

Generally you don't replace bushings that are not worn. So it is not "half assed" to leave them.

Replacing bushings that don't need to be replaced would be referred to as "dumb assed"

 

exactly adam c. the right side is making no noise what so ever, so the old adage of if it ain't broke don't fix it comes into play there. i will do the trailing arms and see what happens.

thanks for the reply guys.

Section 8, i thought doing the diff bushings was pretty easy. i removed the PPF and tail shaft, undid the top bolts holding the diff to the frame. i also undid the hand brake cable. once you have done this the whole diff centre can rotate on its axles. i was able to spin it round 180 degrees so i could get at the bolts holding the carrier to the diff.

 

I replaced all mine even though the left side was making no noise. Turned out they really were just about as bad as the right side. Just because the bushing isnt making noise doesnt mean it is still good. Remember that the bushings on the right side are just as old and have as many miles as the bushings on the left. They will wear at about the same rate unless you are racing circle track regularly. If I were you I would have done them all as well, now you are just going to have to do the other side in a couple months when they start making noise.

I agree with Mike Nola on this one.