10 replies to this topic

[Ken Wilkinson]

[attachment=231636:rear sway bushing.png][attachment=231637:rear sway bushing.JPG]The right (passenger side) bushing on the rear sway bar has started to slide outward and had become deformed and torn part of the ridge which holds it in place.
Any ideas on what causes this, can you flip it around and reuse, and can you buy just the bushing?

[MPR22]

Same thing but driver side happened to mine. Yes you can buy the bushing set from Mazda. You get front and backs.

[Keith Andrews]

Ken, how often are you lubricating them? They look like they were not moving freely and the movement of the bar worked away at them over time. WAG on my part.

[Glenn]

Ken, how often are you lubricating them? They look like they were not moving freely and the movement of the bar worked away at them over time. WAG on my part.

+1

[Keith Novak]

The rear sway bar does like to move back and forth on it's own. I believe the rules have changed so that you're allowed to put a clamp on it to keep it where it's supposed to be. A hose clamp on the sway bar on the outside edge of each bushing works well and costs exactly 2 hose clamps. You could just clean and lube those. Flip them 180* add a couple hose clamps and you're good to go.

[Ken Wilkinson]

Keith Andrews and Glenn...I think your WAG is on target. I have never touched the bushings since they were originally installed...now I know!
Thanks to Keith Novak for confirming my WAG to correct the condition...now I know!

[Jim Drago]

A few quick notes..
The rear bar moves side to side more when your endlinks are not of even lengths. Even if you have the bind out of the bar, try to match the length of the links as best you can, this will help the left/right movement as well

The new bars have the shoulder, if not you can legally put on a clamp

We just approved washers under the sway bar shackle, should be in next fastrak. The bushing is too tight on the bar without it

Jim

[MPR22]

Thanks Jim, long overdue adjustment.

[Keith Andrews]

Ken, I just started using Sil-glyde. You get it at any NAPA autoparts store, great stuff for your sway bar bushings.

[Glenn]

Ken, I just started using Sil-glyde. You get it at any NAPA autoparts store, great stuff for your sway bar bushings.

"Iv heard of guys using teflon tape as well. With the washer option the tape may be the HOT ticket!

[john mueller]

We just approved washers under the sway bar shackle, should be in next fastrak. The bushing is too tight on the bar without it

Jim

I always believed that doing this was part of 'set-up'... I've never seen a problem with doing it. I'm glad there's clarification now but while I'm in NASA's tech shed this would be acceptable.