Can someone who has upgraded their toe links and trailling arms explain to me how it has effected the handling characteristics of their car? I've been told by some people that after changing these, it makes the car handle completely differently. Some say, the car feels unstable at high speeds or that it is too twitchy. Can anyone give me any feedback as to which components they have used and how it affected the handling quality of their car?

 

I don't have aftermarket trailing arms or toe-links, but I know many people that do. They should allow a more precise response from the rear suspension, but an experienced autocrosser like DamonB can't tell the difference between aftermarket and good condition stock parts.

The people who complain about twitchy handling obviously didn't get an alignment after installing the toe-links. Since rear toe is adjusted with the toe-link (duh!), it is very likely they had toe-out on the rear, which would certainly be unstable. A common case of the ignorant user blaming the equipment....

 

There's nothing wrong with aftermarket toe links or trailing arms that will make the car twitchy. If they do I would have to feel that the car is not aligned correctly. Replacing a worn part with a new one can be nothing but an improvement in every case.

 

exactly what they said. they are more of a replacement than an upgrade since i believe they are about the same, maybe slightly cheaper, price as stock.

 

"upgraded" toelinks are fundamentally similar to the stock piece since they are both just a straight adj length rod w spherical bearings at each end.

toe links do not carry vehicle weight and while they do eventually wear out they are among the last of the rear bushings to need replacement. when they do need replacing you might consider the Rotary Extreme "upgrade" as it is very well made and uses premium spherical rod bearings.

there will be no difference in performance.

it is an absolute requirement that the rear toe be reset. ( a touch less than 1/8th toe in).

there IS a performance advantage to be gained when addressing the lower longitudinal link... this link controls all the engine torque and braking torque thru a cylindrical rubber (front of link) bushing which grenades.

when this happens you get axle bouncing under acceleration or braking. replace this bushing w nylon.. jimlab may offer the bushing. or you can get them at: http://www.suspensioncontrol.com

replacing this bushing w nylon does improve the way your car feels vs oem.

another option re this link would be to replace it w an aftermarket tubular rod w a spherical rod end. (not my preference because it increases NVH, it is much more expensive than paying about $70 for the nylon bushings, and i really like the beautiful design of the mazda piece... shine it up w some Never Dull... it is also lightweight.

while your at it check the bearings/bushings that always (they carry all the corner weight) wear out first... the 2 pillowball/spherical bearings in the lower lateral link.

if they have any play (click click) call Malloy Mazda and ask Ray Crowe to send you some... he's got the best price and shipping is free. one of these bearings is at the rear end of the lower longitudinal link but is located in the latitudinal link.

howard coleman