*ATTENTION* Permanent Clunk Fix - FOOLPROOF!!!

[DooMer_MP3]

Any more updates? If no noise, these are probably what I'll end up buying when the time comes, unless MicaSpeed's is done. I can't seem to find any howto with pics mentioned in the first post? Did you ever put those up? Sounds simple enough without one though.

Chris

 

[akhilleus]

Just a tip on the poly bushings. I had poly bushings on my AWR bar and they did eventually fail. I had also considered the energy susp bushings since they are greasable. However i never used them. But ultimately i think the bushings will wear out. I guess its the price of perf.

 

[DooMer_MP3]

Yeah. I'll take 5-6 months through winter any time though .

Chris

 

[akhilleus]

true... very true

 

[INGREXCO]

ya know the mp3 came out in 2001 and they knew about the clunk, yet they used the same design on the mazdaspeed

 

[scott42]

Yes, we have confirmed that the people who agreed to continue the suspension setup in the rear from the MP3 to the Speed are idiots.

 

[Melanism]

03 Mar 03 Clunk Update

No clunk, but i'll prob have to grease them up again after the harsh winter...snow and salt and all.

 

[stdntDrvr]

do you know the part # for the front bushings?

Thanks!

 

[Melanism]

do you know the part # for the front bushings?

Thanks!

Can't say that I know the part number for the fronts. I only measured and dealt with the back ones.

I did buy a grease gun and lube the back ones up though. Takes a whole two minutes!! No complaints here.

 

[BlueMP5Dave]

Topher you can just purchace these bushing by the outer diameter of the Swaybar. If you know that and you can adjust or bend the brackets into the right shape to fit then it is a direct bolt on. Just find out the diameter and give Energy a call they are very helpful people, I have dealt with them many times.

do you know the part # for the front bushings?

Thanks!

 

[Melanism]

Clunk Fix Update 15 June 04

Well....still no clunk. Although sometimes I hear a slight squeak....hit it with the grease gun, gone.

 

[Melanism]

Update (24 Sept 04)

24 Sept Update: Still no clunk...besides the occasional lubing, no problems to report.

Well....still no clunk. Although sometimes I hear a slight squeak....hit it with the grease gun, gone.

 

[Wiggles422]

i wish i found this thread sooner. i am attempting to do what you've done Melanism. What did you do to make the brackets fit right? I tried a hammer and a vise... I think mapp gas/blow torch is next. I did hold them up to where they will go and it seems like the grease fitting is way too close to the rod going from the rear cross member to the bottom of the strut area. have you had any issues with that?

 

[Wiggles422]

I got the brackets bent so that they fit... the problem now is that they are too wide and I can't move the "stoppers" on the sway bar out enough to allow the bushings/brackets to line up with the bolt holes on the cross member.
Anyone that has done this, how did you make everything line up?

 

[AznXstazy]

my "stoppers" are a good inch from the bushings. i think my "stoppers" moved some how lol. ill try to get a pic up if i can. mayb u can try to put on one side then go to the other side and push hard? i know that you can take off the stoppers, but i dont think its a good idea too.

 

[Wiggles422]

thanks, pics would help! I tried all I could to move them. but I agree, taking them off sounds like a bad idea. it seemed to me that there was a ridge or something they were sitting in. I had a pair of pliars around the stoppers and I was hitting that with a hammer. it budged maybe 1/4" and then it seemed as if it was getting caught on something where the metal band was crimped together.

 

[Wiggles422]

(bump)

 

[VividYellowMP3]

Maybe I'm dumb, but I can't find these bushings anywhere on the Nippon Power website... Did they stop making them or something? I looked at the bushings listing for every vehicle and even did a search for the part number to no avail. I was looking forward to giving this a try.