Anyone replace suspension instead of bushings?
 

Still needing to redo the bushings except for pillowballs.

Prices from Ray make me wonder if it wouldn't be better to just buy all new parts (control arms etc.) because they come "loaded" with their bushings.

Seems like by the time you buy bushing sets, pay for their install (not able to do them myself) -- that it might not be much more to have all new parts?

I know bushings often fix problems, but with 150k on the chasis, some parts have to be really worn.

Anyone gone this route? Was it crazy expensive in the end or worthwhile?

Thanks for any input.

You know the control arms run $400-500 a piece?

Instead of purchasing pillowballs for the toe links and trailing arms you can buy aftermarket units.
Buying new suspension components instead of new bushing is more expensive, not less. Even second-hand.

Aftermarket pillowballs? Where?

The rear control arms are $1500 per corner and the fronts are $1000 - so you are talking $5k for new arms. A complete set of Mazdaspeed rubber bushings ($1500) and OEM pillowballs ($500) plus labour (~$1000) will total $3k. OEM or poly bushings will take $500 or more from that.

New OEM bushings for the front arms will be $500 plus labour (~$500) vs. $2k for new arms, so you could at a stretch justify $1k for the benefit of new ball joints (which are not replaceable separately) - but you would have to be feeling flush.

I think AtomicRex produce a set - but they really are not much cheaper than the price Ray charges for OEM ones.

I did that for the front upper control arms but I am part of the Mazda Motorsports / Mazdaspeed program so they were only about $250 or so each at the time. I got low mileage lower arms from a reputable vendor and pressed in new bushings into those.

http://mazdamotorsports.com/wcsstore...ershipinfo.htm

The decision really depends on whether you are doing it yourself or paying a mechanic to do it. If you DIY its cheaper to do the rears than buy them. A case can be made to buy the front uppers and lowers since you replace the ball joint at the same time - which I needed. At 150k, you could probably benefit from new ball joints on the front arms.

Well, yes. Atomic Rex has aftermarket pillowballs.
But, if you buy new aftermarket trailing arms and toe links, they replace some of the bushings with the new links/arms.

Find Japan2LA here on the forums I bought a low mileage rear suspension set from him, it had toe links, lower and upper control arms, trailing arms and diff mount. If I recall correctly he sold the set for under $600.

Also if you look at my build thread I have some links on some of the aftermarket components that are made. General consensus was that oem will last longer and aftermarket is stronger/stiffer. Ive never had personal experience with the aftermarket bushings but if you have to replace those more often you may not save much in the long run.

Thanks for the feedback.

Thoughts on buying low mileage everything vs buying new bushings?

I can find several 30-40k miles sets.
My worry though is "age". Even though the arms will all be low mileage, the
rubber is still going to be 18 years old.

Not sure how much damage time does vs miles on all those rubber bushings.

thoughts?

better safe then sorry is my thought. you dont want to buy them then have to replace the bushings anyway.

Well, remember too, the front arms have non-replaceable outer ball joints. If your originals are high mileage, you may want to go the new arms route so you can get new ball joints. No point in paying $$ to put fresh bushings on old arms with old ball joints.

In the rear, everything is replaceable and/or upgradeable.

What wears these parts out is mileage.. As stated in the thread I offer complete low mileage rear sets for $565.00 shipped

This FS thread:
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-rx-7-1993-2002-parts-99/full-sets-low-mile-rear-suspension-arms-diff-mount-f-s-969953/

Sold many sets and never had a disappointed buyer

I also have front sets

Killer deal, and you will be very happy with the condition/quality...

I replaced the pillowballs with oem ones from Ray and if I was to replace the bushings I'd also get oem ones as aftermarket ones squeak, unless you lubricate them once in a while, and same for swaybar mounts. Just one more thing to worry about. My suggestion is just replace the bushings and pillowballs with oem parts and don't look back.

I just checked - those with a Mazdaspeed Motorsports account can still get them, and the samples I added to my shopping cart are in stock.

Of course, Mazdaspeed Motorsports is quite strict about reselling parts bought on a racer's account so do not chase your friend who is a member to buy them for you. Run a 2-day autocross and enlist yourself. :)

Even though nearly every Mazdaspeed FD part was discontinued a few years ago, these were not.

I have a complete set on my car (including motor mount, shock mount, differential, trailing arm, and anti-roll bushings) and would strongly recommend them for someone doing a suspension refresh. They are about 40% more expensive than OEM bushings.

I think Corksport has them - and I am sure some of the JDM vendors here could source them too.

No, no, encourage people to try autocrossing and join!!

Yes, I recall Corksport could get these. But joining Mazdacomp is cheaper and better.

my friend did this with a low milage jdm set up. only cost him around 300ish. solved his problems. but who know when they will start again...

Although the Delrin ones may make noise, this is not true for ALL aftermarket bushings--- I've had my Superpro bushings for many years now without one squeak or any other noise for that matter. You do lubricate them upon install as part of the process, but after that they're good to go..... and silent :icon_tup:

I bought a harbor freight 20 t press and all the stock front bushings from Ray last OCT. Best money I have spent. The car is tighter and no more clunks upon braking. The pressing was easy but I did have to put one of the lowers in the freezer. Now I still have the press to do the rears.

It is about the material, if they are both polyurethane they are both likely to squeak. Of course driving conditions (rain, dust, temp.....) and how many miles you've driven makes a difference. If yours don't squeak consider yourself lucky.

Delrin are made of delrin, Superpro are polyurethane. I've never heard of a set of super pros making noise actually.

have to agree with this, had my diff superpro for about 3 years no squeaks, just recently did all the rear with new pillows and super pro and no squeaks, next will be the front when i can get time off from school.

Sorry to bump an older thread but the aftermarket pillow balls by atomic rex actually do come out less than the OEM if you buy direct from Atomic Rex.