What is the better clunk fix?

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Mazda Protege MP3
Ok, like everyone else I'm trying to fix the stupid clunk coming from the rear sway bar. I called my local Mazda dealership and they said that the E bushings cost $26 each. So I have to pay 52 bucks for the parts alone. I also saw a thread with this link. MP3 REAR SWAY BAR BUSHING REPLACMENT These bushings are only $7.80 a piece. Has anyone tested the AWR bushings? I figure if they work well and are way cheaper then I might as well go for it. I'm a cheap-ass. Let me know what you think.
 
The cheapest way to go is just to regrease your existing ones. Its last for about ~3 months depending on driving habits and weather.

You can get a tube of lube at walmart for like $4.
 
When you guys have this clunking sound, does it sound like it is coming from the top of the strut????

Thanks.

-R
 
Protege52003 said:
When you guys have this clunking sound, does it sound like it is coming from the top of the strut????

Thanks.

-R

I don't have a 'clunk' sound like some people, i have a squeak. Like eeeeeeerrrrkkk. But the grease will fix both sounds.
 
The grease won't fix the clunk, but it will fix the squeak. I've had the E-bushings for about 7 months and still no clunk. If you are still under warranty they should replace it for free. There is a TSB about it, so they have to cover it.
 
If the dealer won't do it for free anymore, those AWR bushings look like a good temporary cheap solution. Just remember that you will need to grease them every few thousand miles or they'll squeak. Eventually, even those bushings will fail like the stock rubber ones due to the bad location of the mount points (though they will last longer).

The only way to permanently fix the clunk is with a Delsing kit (if you can get one), IMO, and it's definitely not a cheap solution.
 
I'm not the original owner, so I'm sure there is no factory warranty on my car anymore. I guess I will go for the cheapo's. I really don't like going to the dealership anyway. All they care about is making a buck off stupid people. If I had the extra money, I would love to get the Delsing kit and completely fix the problem but that's not an option right now. Thanks for your info. (mp3yellow
 
So are you guys saying the dealer won't replace the bushings anymore? I think that's pretty redicilous, They should support it until they have a permant fix even if you have 150,000 miles on the car...
 
the 156Es fail as well. I'm on my 4th set I think.

BTW $26 is way too much, you can get them here for $13 each. So that makes them almost disposable. Only takes 15 minutes to replace them anyways, don't even have to jack up the car.

Britt
 
I just regreased mine, but i havent had it on too long, So IDK with the way i have been driving i will have to soon replace them though.
 
is delsing kit still for sale. I don't care if it's expensive but it seems like the only one well designed clunk fix....
 
I have had a clunking sound but it seems to come from the front and the sound happens once and a while. It seems to come and go. ANy ideas?
 
no the delsing kit is not for sale anymore...hasnt been for some time...i know someone who has one but he wont sell it and still hasnt put it on his car yet.
 
KonspiracyImage said:
whats that?
if you're referring to the 'e level bushing', its Mazda's 5th attempt to fix a bad design with a different part that will last just long enough until after your warranty is over...then you're SOL unless you want to pay $26 every time you want to fix them-and that's if your sway bar doens't get worn away at the mounting points...
Cheapness owned mazda with this set up. Racing Beat had it right the first time, Mazda changed it to save $$ and cut corners, thus, 'we be screwed' (unless you have a delsing fix that is basically a very well done retro fit of Racing Beat's original design)

(I just summed up hundreds of pages of the clunk thread for anyone new to the game...enjoy.)

[I just got back from the dealer who basically said, "yes, we know your car has sucked, but you're @ 55k, so buh-bye"]
 

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