I've been trying to trouble shoot a clunking sound whenever I apply the brake sometimes. Went to a suspension shop yesterday and they had a look at the car and said the bushings are fine, brakes are fine BUT my sway bar mounts are bent which is causing the sway bar to push up and rub against the lower control arm or something??? everytime the car dives due to braking.

I can't remember exactly what he said it rubs up against but would this sound right to you guys?

 

Sure, the sway bar brackets can definitely get bent...which might have also damaged the end links (I just went through this....now have the Widefoot mounts).

 

I rang around and a few shops have said this is a common problem. Apart from OEM brackets, where else could I purchase these?

If I was to go about completely fixing this, what other items do I need besides the bracket? Someone mentioned bushings for the toe link?

 

The end links for the sway bar could have been damaged. The only other alternative to OEM brackets is the Widefoot Racing mounts made by David Breslau. I think he has a few in stock and was considering starting a new group buy (which wouldn't help you now). They are quite expensive and overkill if you aren't tracking the car. Probably the best thing to do for is just fix the problem with OEM parts and not worry about it for another 7 years.

 

Here are a few pics of my brackets. I can't believe I've been driving around like this for almost 3 years. Final question, once I fix this should the car turn or feel any better?

 

Brackets look normal - rusty, but normal. Remove them and check for cracks in the welds.

later

 

how old is your fd? usually a clunk when you brake is the rear diff bushes. if you wanna be thorough change them all.

 

Yes one of my rear diff bushes is leaking and so is the diff. I'm going to change the bushes next week as well as this sway bracket and hopefully these very very annoying clunks will go away.

 

any fd getting on will have some kinda suspension clunk. go to ausrotary and PM lukus. he can get the full set of bushes for under 250 or so.

 

You legend. I'll do that now.

 

The bracket in that 1st pic are definately bent.

Once you get a new set, this is a relitavely cheap fix.

http://www.mazdatrix.com/getprice.asp?partnum=H-14120

 

LOL. one of mine is bent, and the other is broken. I figured it was from the previous owner running over something. but yes, one of mine is definately rubbing on either an oil line, or PS line.

 

Hi Rynberg,
I'm getting definitely getting the Group Buy for the Widefoot
mounts going, but if people are having swaybar bracket problems right
now, I can give them the GB pricing ASAP so they don't have to wait.
Just send me a PM.

And "quite expensive"? The new billet mounts are now much cheaper
than they've ever been, even at the regular price and with the insane
cost increases for aluminum and other metals that have occurred over the
last few years. I like to think they're well-worth the money as a one-time
fix with no need to buy extra braces, and because they're designed to
prevent problems down the road (frame cracking, damaged swaybars,
etc.).

Just tootin' my horn,
David Breslau
Widefoot Racing Co.

[and sorry for resurrecting an older thread]