Front Suspension Clunk

[Turbo Smoke]

Yeah not too interested in the adjustable links. I don't see the need, unless it ends up being the same price then why not. I wouldn't know how to set the proper pre-load on them either.

I'm gonna see how much I can get stock ones for tonight. Nobody knows if the front links are the same on the MSP as they are on the regular protege?

 

[ucMP3]

Yeah not too interested in the adjustable links. I don't see the need, unless it ends up being the same price then why not. I wouldn't know how to set the proper pre-load on them either.

I'm gonna see how much I can get stock ones for tonight. Nobody knows if the front links are the same on the MSP as they are on the regular protege?

They shouldn't be... I'm 99.9% positive they are not. Just go on rockauto.com and search under "Mazda>2003>Protege Mazdaspeed>suspension>stabilizer bar link"

 

[Turbo Smoke]

Yeah thats where I was looking. The front end links all have the same part number for every version of the protege including the MSP (I was comparing the MOOG part numbers). The only one that has different options are the rear end links.

So maybe the front ones are the same. Or it's a mistake on the site...

 

[ucMP3]

Hmmm, The regular pros didn't have Racingbeat stuff, but idk... I'll do a search.

 

[Turbo Smoke]

That's true. But if the sway bar is in the exact same location and the mounting point on the strut is in the same location maybe Mazda used the same end link? It is a racing beat sway bar but if all they did was increase the diameter of the bar then technically the mounting points for the end link could be the same, meaning the end link could be the same length as the regular protege.

 

[ucMP3]

The MSP is lower tho, thats Why i would think it had a different endlink. When a car is lower, the endlink generally needs to be lengthened in order to keep the bar parallel with the ground.

 

[Turbo Smoke]

That's a good point. Though the bar wouldn't move all that much it wouldn't be parallel anymore. Maybe they were lazy and didn't worry about that? Many people lower their cars without changing the length of the end links without significant negative consequences. Maybe they changed (lowered) the mounting point on the tokico's to compensate for the lower ride height?

I'm just guessing, I don't know why the front end links all have the same part number unless its just a mistake on the site. If it is a mistake then who knows what end links are supposed to go on there lol.

 

[ucMP3]

That's a good point. Though the bar wouldn't move all that much it wouldn't be parallel anymore. Maybe they were lazy and didn't worry about that? Many people lower their cars without changing the length of the end links without significant negative consequences. Maybe they changed (lowered) the mounting point on the tokico's to compensate for the lower ride height?
I'm just guessing, I don't know why the front end links all have the same part number unless its just a mistake on the site. If it is a mistake then who knows what end links are supposed to go on there lol.

Thats a good possibility. Good call. But idk for sure, lol. Well, when I put on these new endlinks I'll let you know if its sitting parallel with the ground or not... I'll probly end up making some custom adjustable ones if it is not sitting right.

 

[Turbo Smoke]

Sounds good. I might change my end links this weekend, so I'll see how finding the right parts goes. Not to mention trying to get those old rusted-ass ones off.

 

[mazdaspeedp]

lol ur gonna be pissed taking those links of an ontario car thats like my car but i didnt do it my self got the awr links put on and it still clunks im thinking its the front bushings though and it squeeks like a mofo too im pretty sure the bushings for the msp are different like 52mm cuz the racing beat sway bar is thicker and the msp links are different than the normal ones too just make sure cuz some sites will just say it will fit and once you order it and try to install it wont work

 

[ucMP3]

lol ur gonna be pissed taking those links of an ontario car thats like my car but i didnt do it my self got the awr links put on and it still clunks im thinking its the front bushings though and it squeeks like a mofo too im pretty sure the bushings for the msp are different like 52mm cuz the racing beat sway bar is thicker and the msp links are different than the normal ones too just make sure cuz some sites will just say it will fit and once you order it and try to install it wont work

The front sway is 25mm. And the AWR endlinks are known to clunk and not solve that issue.

Urethane bushings squeak much more than OEM ones.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

lol ur gonna be pissed taking those links of an ontario car thats like my car but i didnt do it my self got the awr links put on and it still clunks im thinking its the front bushings though and it squeeks like a mofo too im pretty sure the bushings for the msp are different like 52mm cuz the racing beat sway bar is thicker and the msp links are different than the normal ones too just make sure cuz some sites will just say it will fit and once you order it and try to install it wont work

holy crap, its called a period dude! LOL

OEM. I looked around for a bit and couldn't find any urethane or aftermarket ones so I said **** it. Urethane ones usually squeak and clunk more anyways. They hold tighter tho.

I'd go for urethane because it lasts longer. not the kinda job you'd catch me volintarily doing twice.

itsyellow just did this job... and it is FAR from fun.

 

[ucMP3]

Where did he find urethane bushings for the front?

 

[Wagonbacker9]

honestly I don't know what he put in, I just know he recently did the fronts.

 

[ucMP3]

Hmm, I was looking around and couldn't find any so I just settled for OEM ones. I don't plan on owning this car for long enough that they wear out anyways... The OEM ones should last at least 60k. I heard they updated the newer bushings also, so that they supposedly shouldn't squeak as much. Teflon coating on the inner side I think?

 

[Turbo Smoke]

lol ur gonna be pissed taking those links of an ontario car thats like my car but i didnt do it my self got the awr links put on and it still clunks im thinking its the front bushings though and it squeeks like a mofo too im pretty sure the bushings for the msp are different like 52mm cuz the racing beat sway bar is thicker and the msp links are different than the normal ones too just make sure cuz some sites will just say it will fit and once you order it and try to install it wont work

I'm probably just gonna end up cutting them off. There's like a 1% chance I can get them off without cutting them. I'm not paying someone to do it, that's for people who have money lol. I think i'm going to avoid doing the bushings if I can...

 

[pavone]

+1 on the cutting off lol. and so from what i gather not worth going to awr's lol. post up the price you paid for your oem endlinks when you get em.

 

[ucMP3]

$75 shipped to my door for all 4

 

[Turbo Smoke]

^^ Not cool. Where did you get them? $85 tax in for front only! in Canada.

pavone: I got them from partsource for that price. They are TRW's with a lifetime manufacturer's defect warranty. So if they snap you can get them replaced for free. (the partsource website made it seem like it was $37.xx for both but it turns out that was each.) If you're in Ottawa I'd check out CAPS too, maybe they'll have a better deal. There's no CAPS up here only carquest and partsource. Never bothered to check carquest either actually lol.

Just an FYI for anybody who's interested: Turns out the front end links are the same for the MSP and regular protege. Picked them up last night and compared the length and they seem to be identical.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

custom endlinks FTW...