Howdy,

I just recently returned from Iraq and I have finally gotten some time to get to work on my FD. Everything is perfect on the car except for a slight clunking noise under initial acceleration and sometimes decceleration. I can make the car clunk when I sit down in it as well and slightly rock it back and forward. Ive been told that this was the pillowball bushings. Ive done some searching on here and it other forums but cannot find a very definitive topic dedicated to this problem. Maybe I am just retarded but I would love to have a decent reply to my particular symptoms. If there is anything I need to do to further describe the problem please let me know and I can go run outside to further diagnose the issue. Though I cannot do any serious maintenance as I am currently living in a barracks and we are not allowed to perform vehicle maintenance in the parking lot.

Any and all help is appreciated, thanks in advance.

Brian

 

Check this link:

http://www.maxcooper.com/rx7/how-to/...lls/index.html

 

Thank you for the link, I will most likely go about doing it by this manner when I a chance to.

What kind of damage can I incurr by not getting these replaced right away? I was shopping around on all the available vendor links I could find for pillowball bushings and I havent seen a package deal or even anyone that actually carries them. I suppose the mazda dealership would be able to order them for me at a horrendous price.

 

I think you are allowed to use the base MWR auto hobby shop to repair your car. It costs about $3.00/hour to use the lift and a little cheaper for static stalls, use of tools are free.

I use all branches of service MWR shops all the time, but need a current valid military ID.

 

I only head to the hobby shop when I know exactly what needs to be done. Dealing with the rednecks and their rice burner comments isnt exactly pleasant. That is most likely where I will end up replacing the bushings at though.

 

you might as well replace all six while you are in there. Using a hydraulic press is the way to go. Def use a auto hobby shop if you have access to one on your base.

For the best price order the bushings from Ray Crowe at Malloy Mazda, 888-533-3400. Attached is a pic with locations of the pillowball bushings.
Good luck!
-Spence

p.s. don't forget to mark your camber setting on the lower arms before/if you remove them. I did this job last weekend and it took about 2 hours for each side.

 

it might be your pillowball bushings but you might as well replace the diff bushings too b/c that could part of the problem

BTW; i'm in the USMC and i love the base auto shops they are an awesome resource

 

for some reason I doubt they have a hydraulic press. The washers, socket, and bolt method seems less complicated than completely disassembling my rear suspension.

ermin277 - thanks, that picture cleared things up alot. As well as the contact info for malloy mazda

tt7hvn - Differential bushings as well? Ive never had a chance to really be underneath my car so I am not sure what I am looking for exactly.

 

You don't have to disassemble the rear suspension - you only need to remove the arms. cf. https://www.rx7club.com/suspension-wheels-tires-brakes-archive-112/how-remove-replace-suspension-bushings-648765/

These are a total pain to remove, but you may as well do them too. Mine were shot as 50k miles. Search for many write ups.

 

Harbor Freight has a set to do this nicely:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38335