FB suspension bushings
05-08-12, 10:36 AM
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3rd time's a charm!!
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FB suspension bushings
I'm looking to replace all of my worn out, cracked front and rear suspension bushings. This car hasn't moved much in the last 18 years. I was about to order the suspension package, Tokiko HP's and all of the urethane bushing kits from RB, but noticed on the forums some people are saying that it's not recommended to use urethane bushings in the rear. My question is, why do they sell them then? Can anyone shed some light on this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
05-08-12, 02:14 PM
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Engine, Not Motor
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I'm not sure why urethane bushings would not be recommended in the rear. If no one has provided any justification as to why, then it's likely just an oft-repeated myth.
Urethane bushings certainly do increase NVH, so if that's something you are sensitive to, stick with stock bushings.
Urethane bushings certainly do increase NVH, so if that's something you are sensitive to, stick with stock bushings.
05-08-12, 04:28 PM
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NVH doesn't concern me. This is from mazdatrix site:
79-85 Rear Lower Suspension Links
We have found that the rear suspension on these cars needs to have soft rubber bushings in order to move properly. Replacing the bushings in these links with urethane or heim joints is not functional. In addition, as the rubber in these stock links ages, it becomes harder. If you are trying to make the car handle consistently, we recommend replacing all four links with new Mazda links.
Am I misinterpreting this? I want to be sure before I take the plunge into $1K in suspension parts and end up with a shitty handling car.
79-85 Rear Lower Suspension Links
We have found that the rear suspension on these cars needs to have soft rubber bushings in order to move properly. Replacing the bushings in these links with urethane or heim joints is not functional. In addition, as the rubber in these stock links ages, it becomes harder. If you are trying to make the car handle consistently, we recommend replacing all four links with new Mazda links.
Am I misinterpreting this? I want to be sure before I take the plunge into $1K in suspension parts and end up with a shitty handling car.
05-09-12, 08:36 AM
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05-09-12, 09:32 AM
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Taking it apart was easy! Stripping the body to bare metal was the hard part. I stripped the whole front, including the doors last year from a donor car, and did the back end and roof recently. The fun will be putting it back together!
05-10-12, 09:18 AM
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Mazdatrix knows what they are doing, however I've never seen or experienced any issues with urethane bushings in 1st gens as they describe. Built a LOT of 1st gens...
