Where to buy front control arm bushings?

miatalim · Postby **miatalim** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 10:14 am

Hi,

Just got a 28 point safety check from Peddlers Suspension. The report said the bushings on my front control arm are worn and require change. I have got a 99 NB that has done 93Ks and I don't believe they have ever been replaced.

I have a few questions which I am hoping people can share their experience on:

1. Where can you get good quality and competitively priced bushings? I looked at some from MX5parts.co.uk and flyin Miata.

2. Whilst I am getting the front bushings replaced, should I also get the rear ones done even if not totally worn out?

3. Poly or rubber?

thanks in advance

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 1:36 pm

just check the local prices - ie Mazda for OE, Bursons etc. Pedders could also tell you. You might also want to get hold of a repair manual if you are thinking of diy.

mazdatenfive · Postby **mazdatenfive** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 5:13 pm

Emailed

mazdatenfive · Postby **mazdatenfive** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 6:14 pm

Please see my post.

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=44657

ricky-pinky · Postby **ricky-pinky** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 9:26 am

Hi miatalim,

I recently replaced my oem bushes with nolathane, only because I got the whole set at an 'off the back of a truck' price from a friend of a friend who bought them and then traded the MX5 before they were fitted. My NB had 140,000 k's up. Other than being a bit perished around the edges where they were in contact with the elements, there was nothing wrong with them. Bushes last more than 93,000 k's. I'd be a bit sceptical of the Pedders report. They are in business to make a buck. Unless you think there is something really wrong with your car's handling, or you fancy a set of poly bushes, I wouldn't change them.

Anyway, thats my 2 cents worth...

miatalim · Postby **miatalim** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 10:59 pm

ricky-pinky wrote:Hi miatalim,

I recently replaced my oem bushes with nolathane, only because I got the whole set at an 'off the back of a truck' price from a friend of a friend who bought them and then traded the MX5 before they were fitted. My NB had 140,000 k's up. Other than being a bit perished around the edges where they were in contact with the elements, there was nothing wrong with them. Bushes last more than 93,000 k's. I'd be a bit sceptical of the Pedders report. They are in business to make a buck. Unless you think there is something really wrong with your car's handling, or you fancy a set of poly bushes, I wouldn't change them.

Anyway, thats my 2 cents worth...

That is a fair point because they have a vested interest in the reporting a few faulty components which need to be replaced. that is the one thing I like about MX5 owners...deep down we are all really tight arses : ) so we really have to make sure that we get absolute value for money ! There really does not seem to be anything wrong with my suspension set up other than they seem really incrediby comfortable and compliant...almost a bit soft. I took it for a spin around Dandenongs and it just did not seem like the front end was bitting like my NA I used to own....but then i was thinking that I am a lot older now so the NB's significantly more compliant ride could suit me better. It is pretty soft though...and lacks front end feel and bite so it could be true that Pedders was right in saying that the front shocks and bushings need to be changed. Maybe I should go to another Pedders and see if they report the same thing....its not rocket sign after all.

ricky-pinky · Postby **ricky-pinky** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 9:35 am

Pedders are probably right in saying the shocks need changing. After 93,000 km they have probably seen their best days. If you just want to firm up the front end, then replace the shocks. New bushes are quite expensive, whether oem or poly, so you don't want to change them unless you are pretty sure they need changing. They might look a bit ratty round the edges, but they will be 'as new' inside. If you want to go for adjustable coilovers, you might want to consider going to poly. But if not, don't bother changing the bushes.

You may also need new rear shocks. On my car the rear shocks died before the front. I put a set of coilovers on at around 140,000 km and the new bushes a little while later. But I only replaced the bushes because I got them at such a cheap price - less than a quarter of rrp.

miatalim · Postby **miatalim** » Tue Jan 25, 2011 9:58 am

Yes. I was pretty surprised at how much bushes cost for what they are. I bought some front control arm poly bushes for $160.00 from Flyin Miata. I may take your advice and not install them just yet until I have more confirmation that the insides of the bushes are worn too.

I also order a full set of Tokico Illumina adjustable with matching springs which would bring down the ride height to about 1 inch lower. I really hope this does not firm the ride to the point where it crashes through small bumps. My dilemma is now deciding between whacking the new lower springs or using existing springs on the new shocks. Give me some words of wisdom guys !

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:50 pm

It has been said already - but I would be very surprised if your bushings are shagged. I just pulled a set out of my 116,000 km NA8 and they looked like new. Replaced them anyway, but whatevs.

The OE Showa shocks on the other hand, were shagged the moment they left the factory. They are garbage and should definitely be replaced. Don't believe me? Replace them and call me a liar

If you do replace the bushings, be very careful removing them as the Mazda wishbones (esp. the uppers) are WEAK and will bend if you look at them sideways (let alone hit them with a bearing press without supporting them on the lips of the carriers - ask me how I know).

miatalim · Postby **miatalim** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 11:53 am

Alright..thanks guys you have convinced me to cancel my order for the bushing from Fyin Miata. I will replace the shocks with Tokico Illumina though based on your feedback.

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 4:36 pm

Hardly anyone I know personally uses Pedders, and if they have, it's been a once-off, cause you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned that Pedders may report things that may be faulty (but really aren't) only for the sake of showing that they actually check stuff, ie. if they say nothing is wrong you would probably think they didn't look at anything.

If you take your dampers to be fitted at a shop, go to another, non-Pedders, place and get their opinion.

Do you have an Auto Leaders near you? They have a good reputation up here for being thorough and honest.

If you want a really thorough check, find a shop that has a jig (for lack of a better word) where you drive your car up and place your tyres/wheels onto a pneumatic thingy (technical term) that shakes and twists whilst the car is stationary and this gives the best indication of the condition of bushes and other suspension components.

And I agree with what has been mentioned that very seldom would MX-5 bushes fail before 100,000. They can easily last well over 150,000km.

miatalim · Postby **miatalim** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 11:42 am

Damn..i could not cancel my full set of poly Bushes from Flyin Miata. Anyone want to buy some brand new unopened polybushes for front control arms? I have very quickly spent too much money on my car I reckon. $3k in a one month time span...wow this MX5 obsession can really suck you in quickly..: ) But the payback is there though in terms of driving enjoyment !

miatalim · Postby **miatalim** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 12:37 am

Just got confirmation from Dean at Motorsport Essentials that my Bushings do not need to be changed. I got my struts and springs changed with Tokico Illumina. I was very surprised at how reasonable I got charged by Dean for fitting and alignment.

Dean is becoming an authority in MX5 mods and seems like a very honest guy which is a rarity these days. I would highly recommend him to anyone on the South East Melbourne area.