Installed rear pillow ball bushings this weekend - BIG writeup
#1
RX-7 Bad Ass
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iTrader: (55)
Installed rear pillow ball bushings this weekend - BIG writeup
Replaced the rear pillow ball bushings for a customer this weekend. The car is a '93 base, owned by the original owner, 112,000 miles. The bushings were really bad - BIG TIME clunking, sloppiness in the rear suspension, all kinds of badness.
I got all the bushings installed - took a while to figure out the first side, but took me 30 MINUTES to do the other side. No kidding! Air tools are your friend .
Guys, if you've been putting off replacing the bushings, bump it up on your priority list. This makes a HUGE difference in how the car handles, rides, and feels. It may be pricey for the bushings, but it's VERY well worth it. It's like you get a new car!
OK, enough stalling -
http://www.clubrx.org/default.asp?id...ntent=32&mnu=5
There are a LOT of pics in the article, so you 56k guys be patient .
BTW, if anyone in the Southeast within easy driving distance of Pensacola needs the job done, I'll be happy to do it "while you wait" for $100 plus the cost of parts. I've got this job down like a dress on prom night .
Enjoy! And let me know if there's anything I missed or need to revise.
Thanks,
Dale
I got all the bushings installed - took a while to figure out the first side, but took me 30 MINUTES to do the other side. No kidding! Air tools are your friend .
Guys, if you've been putting off replacing the bushings, bump it up on your priority list. This makes a HUGE difference in how the car handles, rides, and feels. It may be pricey for the bushings, but it's VERY well worth it. It's like you get a new car!
OK, enough stalling -
http://www.clubrx.org/default.asp?id...ntent=32&mnu=5
There are a LOT of pics in the article, so you 56k guys be patient .
BTW, if anyone in the Southeast within easy driving distance of Pensacola needs the job done, I'll be happy to do it "while you wait" for $100 plus the cost of parts. I've got this job down like a dress on prom night .
Enjoy! And let me know if there's anything I missed or need to revise.
Thanks,
Dale
#3
RX-7 Bad Ass
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iTrader: (55)
Yeah, I told him I was documenting some of the stuff I did on his car - he doesn't mind . He's just happy I know what the hell I'm doing on the car instead of Bubba Buttcrack the mechanic .
Dale
Dale
#6
RX-7 Bad Ass
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iTrader: (55)
Not with that huge C-clamp press and the impact gun. Took me literally 1 minute to get the A-arm out of the car, then I had plenty of room to line everything up and work on it.
I I was doing Max's bolt, nut, and washer method, I'd definitely do it in the car. I tried to do it that way on the driver's side - didn't have enough room. Took the fender liner out that covers the gas filler nozzle - still not enough room. That C-clamp with the press bolt all the way out is pretty big.
All I had to do extra was remove the swaybar end link and the 2 14mm bolts holding it to the body.
Dale
I I was doing Max's bolt, nut, and washer method, I'd definitely do it in the car. I tried to do it that way on the driver's side - didn't have enough room. Took the fender liner out that covers the gas filler nozzle - still not enough room. That C-clamp with the press bolt all the way out is pretty big.
All I had to do extra was remove the swaybar end link and the 2 14mm bolts holding it to the body.
Dale
#7
Nice work, Dale.
I've been postponing this job for awhile. I've had the set of 6 pillowballs for about 4 months. :p
I was ready to invest in a hydraulic press to do this job, but that impact method is pretty slick. I don't have a C clamp that is that large, but buying one would certainly be cheaper (and take up far less space) than a-frame hydraulic press. You also don't have to remove the LCA with your method.
Sonny
I've been postponing this job for awhile. I've had the set of 6 pillowballs for about 4 months. :p
I was ready to invest in a hydraulic press to do this job, but that impact method is pretty slick. I don't have a C clamp that is that large, but buying one would certainly be cheaper (and take up far less space) than a-frame hydraulic press. You also don't have to remove the LCA with your method.
Sonny
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#8
RX-7 Bad Ass
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The C-clamp press I used was a free loaner from Autozone. They charge your card $99, and you get it back when you return it. I plan on buying one just to have my own tool, as it's like $39 from Harbor Freight.
Seriously, if you have impact tools and use that writeup, you can be DONE in an afternoon.
Dale
Seriously, if you have impact tools and use that writeup, you can be DONE in an afternoon.
Dale
#10
Rotary Enthusiast
Is there really a right side up to the upper A arms? I removed mine and took them to a machine shop to have the bushing and pillow ***** pressed in. Then I couldn't remember which way they went back it. But they seems to be symetrical so I assumed it didn't matter which way I had them. Do I need to go back and check?
#11
RX-7 Bad Ass
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I don't think it's possible to even assemble the rear suspension with the upper A-arms upside-down. If you see the Mazda logo at the top, they're in there right.
Dale
Dale
#13
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Is there a way to determine when to replace these bushings? My car has around 36,000 non-abused miles on it, and I've just recently heard a little 'clunk' from the right rear of the car. I was sure it was the RB exhast, but maybe not.....
#14
I think this is the clamp right, Dale?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38335
Damn, that thing is on sale for $20! I'm on it.
Sonny
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38335
Damn, that thing is on sale for $20! I'm on it.
Sonny
#20
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I like your C-clamp on steroids approach. I did this job a year ago using Max Coopers method of running a long high-grade bolt through two sockets and a stack of washers which was fairly time consuming. It worked but I'm sure using an impact wrench on that c-clamp is much faster.
Last edited by mgoddard1; 02-14-05 at 09:29 PM.
#21
RX-7 Bad Ass
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Yep, that's it at the link from Harbor Freight. MAN, that's a good price - I may just order one! I was going to wait until the local store opened Mar. 8th .
Dale
Dale
#25
Must be f'ing nice to live somewhere you can work on the car in sandals and short sleeves in February!
Thanks for the writeup. I wish I had it last winter when I did my bushings!
Thanks for the writeup. I wish I had it last winter when I did my bushings!