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The car's edging 100kkm and lately I've noticed a little bit of wandering about on bumpy roads, that's despite a firm grip on the wheel. I've always kept the alignment in check, so can it be the bushes?

Depending on which bushes are worn you can expect the following symptoms.
Loose feeling and wondering steering
Handling goes off somewhat and the car feels a little sloppy in the corners and can wander around a bit when conrnering
Squeeks and rattles that you haven't heard before
+ many other little things.

A 100,000 k's is a good life for a standard bushing.

As Benny said plus any heavy metal-on-metal rattling from the suspension over bumps, potholes and ripples could indicate a truly shot bush needing a fix-it-now response. One of my front lowers collapsed to that point at 150kkm while all the rest were still not too bad.

worn bushes = leaves falling off, bare branches

First sign of worn bushes is Stan the Man organising a Dodgy Day in my experience

bruce wrote:worn bushes = leaves falling off, bare branches

I was more thinking along the lines of hairs turning grey or falling out from excessive friction

how much does it usually cost to change bushes?

ive been hearing some soft creaks coming from the rear when i enter/exit driveways at slow speed lately....

Ball joints?

Those aint cheap from mazda either

ducktape69 wrote:how much does it usually cost to change bushes?

ive been hearing some soft creaks coming from the rear when i enter/exit driveways at slow speed lately....

Around $600 for the super pro bushes + installation.

J

Ball joints? Ouch.

Juffa wrote:

ducktape69 wrote:how much does it usually cost to change bushes?

ive been hearing some soft creaks coming from the rear when i enter/exit driveways at slow speed lately....

Around $600 for the super pro bushes + installation.

J

For an NA, $503 + freight.

For NB, slightly more i believe for the different steering rack bushes.

If someone needs them, PM me. Otherwise, feel free to pay $100 more

I am enquiring for ball joints and tie rod ends to see what prices i can help out with.

Roodosutaa wrote:The car's edging 100kkm and lately I've noticed a little bit of wandering about on bumpy roads, that's despite a firm grip on the wheel. I've always kept the alignment in check, so can it be the bushes?

Try adjusting the steering lash, tightened up my wandering steering nicely...

Juffa wrote:

ducktape69 wrote:how much does it usually cost to change bushes?

ive been hearing some soft creaks coming from the rear when i enter/exit driveways at slow speed lately....

Around $600 for the super pro bushes + installation.

J

LOL


err you can get them as low as $450 +postage & fitting.

http://www.nahux.com/NPOWER/vehicle_pro ... d=2&cid=49

Steering rack bushes RaceSupplies refers to are not part of above kit from N*Power. so that would be an exrta.
They were not part of the kit I purchase in the group buy earlier this year either.
NB's have a different rear sway bar end link to the NA's so if you order one for an NB you only require 1 pack of sway bar bushes.

Just don't ask me how I know.

IMHO, don't bother with the offset bushes they are really not required for a road car.

You could try to just do the sways & link ends first. I installed those first.....a few weeks before the rest. Those made a huge difference for me.
I dare say its prolly enough in your case, if Caffeins suggestion doesn't work.

Big Dawg wrote:First sign of worn bushes is Stan the Man organising a Dodgy Day in my experience