Tekne3k

I have a 04 RX8 and my left control arm bushing has gone bad.

Is it possible to buy the bushing alone? Or do I have to replace the control arm itself?

Ive only been able to find MazdaSpeed bushings so far, and I don't have a dealer where I am soo I need your help

GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

Upper or lower control arm?

How did the bushing go bad - from wear, or from a harsh impact? If it was from an impact chances are your lower arm is bent as well. If it was wear, how many miles do you have on it?

If we are talking lower, you might have to buy a new arm - if I'm not mistaken, even the aftermarket bushing companies don't sell replacements for the bushing with the vertical bolt axis.

But, a call to a Mazda dealer would clear it up one way or another.

GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

Oops, I see you are from Jamaica - now I understand your comment about not having a dealer.

Perhaps somebody here will know. Ash8 is quite knowledgeable about Mazda parts list - I think he has a thread in the Tech section for just this purpose.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

Only the front lower OE bushings (caster and camber adjustable) are available as a separate part, there are aftermarket bushings and heims available for almost all the others but most have to be ordered from Japan

George was mistaken, imagine that

good luck finding anyone to help you because there have been too many ripoff artists from Jamaica here ...


.

GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

LOL. Skooled again.

Actually you can buy Powerflex bushings from Goodwin Racing, but I would not reccomend those unless one is willing to do a dis-assemble & rebuild every year.

bse50

Doesn't energy suspension sell some kind of bushings as well for a bit less?

GeorgeH

iTrader: (2)

^Yes, they do however I am a little skeptical about Energy. First, in my experience, more often than not, you get what you pay for so I wonder why their package is so cheap. Second, if I am not mistaken, they do not have as much granularity in their package - they seem to have fewer bushing model numbers overall, where Powerflex seems to have more unique bushings, which is an indication to me that Powerflex put more effort into the design of the package (i.e., a compliance target for each pivot location, as opposed to the same compliance shared over multiple pivot locations).

But, this is a bit of guessing on my part. Sooner or later some folks will try both and we will learn more then.

bse50

I like them :p
Other users also reported an increase in overall feeling and i have to agree. Their kit is also smaller than Powerflex's one so i think that we may add it as another reason why it costs less.

Polyurethane is polyurethane anyway, as long as they fit you should be ok

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

Nope, there are all different types of polyurethane, that's like saying rubber is rubber when comparing tires

bse50

Maybe I expressed myself poorly. Poly is poly so as long as they are not aluminium bushings they should all be fine.
All the bushing kits that i've seen use similar shores too.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

Mazda Motorsport bushings, supplied by SpeedSource


delrin upper front control arm bushings




spherical bearing in carrier lower front camber bushings, adds -0.6 deg camber




.

bse50

Links? We have got a bunch of different products here apparently.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

no, you have to be a Mazda Motorsport member to access/purchase them

bse50

That's what i thought, unfortunately you have to race in the us to issue a membership request so... I'll stick to what i find here