tom94RX-7

iTrader: (5)

I found these at JC Whitney, click here to see them at JC Whitney, I have done hours worth of reading old threads (dating back like 4 years) about replacing bushings, so I realize aftermarket companies don't really make any bushings for our cars. I just bought my FD and of course the rear suspension makes a lot of clunking noises and it seems it would have a lot of wheel hop, I am predicting almost all the bushings are bad after reading all the posts over the past many years, so I have been doing my research on how to replace the parts and what to buy.

Does anyone have any information about these bushings? Or maybe they made a mistake on their website when listings these for the FD. I am not actually sure which bushings these are replacing, are they only replacing sway bar bushings as the description suggests? I don't know what the correct sizes are for all the bushings.

Let me know, thanks for any input.

maxcooper

Those are for the end links on sway bars, but the FD doesn't have the kind that use those bushings. So they won't work on an FD.

Start by jacking the car up and seeing what's loose. The stock rubber bushings are pretty stiff and last a long time (IOW, don't buy a bushing kit until you've really figured out what is loose). It is more likely your toe link bushings, pillow *****, and ball joints that may have gone bad. To replace those, you use Mazda parts. You've just got to get in there and see what needs to be replaced.

-Max

adam c

iTrader: (2)

If you decide to replace you pillow ball bearings, there is a good deal going on thru Malloy Mazda right now. I think they are $300 shipped, for a set of 6. I just helped Walien install a set on his FD.

Those red bushings do not replace the pillow ball bearings.

tom94RX-7

iTrader: (5)

Thanks for info and advice guys.

Today I ordered new Toe Links and Trailing Arms from rotary extreme (I think they are about the best you can buy), and I ordered new rear differential bushings from rx7.com. I did some checking on all the rear bushings in the rear, and it seems they all need replaced, I am sure the parts I bought today will make a nice difference to make the car handle and sound better, I shouldn't get any wheel hop either I hope. I will soon also get those replacement pillow ball bearings. My car has almost 100k miles on all origonal bushings.

One test I did was I layed under the rear of the car and felt the suspension parts and bushings while my girlfriend applied the parking brake quickly, the car was in my parking lot on a very small slope, so the car would start to roll slowly and she would pull the parking brake quickly after the car started to roll forward, it only rolled forward inches, so it was safe and my body and arms were behind the wheel. When doing this, the rear bushings make a lot of noise when the car stops, it makes the same noises when I stop at a stop sign. All the bushings felt bad, like they had too much play, they were not tight.

I still have to check my front parts, the steering wheel/car shakes a good bit when I go around turns and hit small bumps, I bet the outer tie rod ends need replaced at least. Hopefully the car handles much better soon, my 93 MX6 LS handles better I think, well it also has cheap stiff coilovers and 18" tires, no good shocks though, yes it rides rough.

I should also soon have my new Koni sport shocks and Tein S Tech lowering springs for my FD, soon after 18" rims, I hope to put the widest possible tires on without rubbing too bad. I have done and will do more reading about max tire sizes. After the car is lowered, I will put my 18s (225/40/18) on my rx7 from my MX6, so I will get a good idea on what size tires should fit good and which offsets for the rims I will buy for the FD. I am looking to probably buy these Moda R6 rims from The Tire Rack, they have a +45mm offset. I want to run at least 245s or 255s up front and at least 275s on the rear, I am thinking they should fit good.

If you have any other advice for me, that is always nice to hear from people with experience, thank you!

travisorus rex

While you are at it, go with the OEM pillow bushings. There are six of them and installing them along with the other bushings that you bought, should make for a fairly tight ride.

There is a nice writeup on Max Cooper's web site. I followed his instructions and the installation was a breeze.