I am a FD driver from germany. Rotaries are very rare here. Only 150 FDs came to us. Therefore it is very hard to find a shop with good experience for that car. I have my enginge rebuilded with parts from the US because the parts are much cheaper there. The knowledge for that I got from the internet and the amazing rotary scene. Since the rebuilding I was driving 6000 km without problems! For this winter I plan to work on a other problem on my car – suspension clunking. I have found in the internet the information that cars produced prior 1992 came from factory with noisy upper a-arm bushings. Every time I stop my car I hear a clunk noise from the left and from the right side. Now I am collecting information to solve the problem.

Does anyone know that problem? Can you give me some advice? Can this work be done without special tools? Need I new arms or can I replace the bushings? Are there an alternative better bushing type?

Thanks in advance,

nogbold

 

Search for 'pillowball' and you will find your answer.

And then search for 'Ray' to find out where to buy them.

 

-The bushings have to be pressed out and in, thus requiring a special tool to do it.
-There are upgrades but I recommend using the stock ones, most of the upgraded ones give you a harsher ride
-You can get a good condition from members on this forum or just get the bushings themselves.
-yes it's a common problem

 

Get the pillowball bushings from Ray Crowe at Malloy Mazda:
703-490-8170 or 703-643-2936
He has the best prices and I think he ships overseas. Or try this:
http://mazdatrix.com/h93-95c.htm

To do the job:

If you have air tools you can follow this guide:
http://www.clubrx.org/default.asp?id...ntent=32&mnu=5

If you have only hand tools, try this:
http://www.maxcooper.com/rx7/how-to/...lls/index.html

Good luck. I have to do this too but I haven't had the time.

 

the problem didnt only exsist in the older FD's. Mine is a 2000 and i had the same problem. Went to the Mazda Dealer over here in Japan.. they repalced the bushings.. and WAHLAH! no more clunk. DGbike93 hit it on the head.. if i were in the states.. (or if i didnt have a 2yr factory warranty on my FD) then id go to Ray Crowe and get the bushings.

 

If I read the previous replies correctly, everyone was referring to the rear suspension. There was also a problem early on with the front upper a-arm, IIRC. There was a recall or TSB on these, and I got mine replaced at no charge, I think, during the first year I owned mine. IIRC, the outer bushing (ball joint) would get loose in the arm and clunk, and the whole arms were replaced.

I can't find this in the TSB's or recalls, so I might not be correct, but this is just some additional info that I think may apply to you.

Dave