How-To: Kill Clunk Cheap!!

[Velocifero]

hehe i went thru that X-member with my hand and wrench to mount my new bushings ... F-ing weld that tacked that nut in place was garbage.

no doubt, I have had three of them fail, but my rear sway is as tight as I can go with it so they are under some hella stress. Pretty sure that is why the AWR mount broke too. I'll throw a pic of that up tomorrow from work.

 

[Velocifero]

my broken AWR bracket

 

[CHICO2003]

So I brought my car to the local dealership... figuring, since I've given them a ton of business in the past, they'd throw these on for me. To my surprise/dismay, they said it would cost $80 (hour of labor) At first I thought he was joking... after I realized he wasn't, I then reminded him of how many times I've been there and how this job would probably take 5 minutes... not 60. Even still, he didn't waiver. Needless to say... I'm going to have to put them on myself...and find another dealership.

 

[CHICO2003]

just tried to put these on... Anyone have any pointers on how best to get to that top bolt? The bottom one is easy enough but that top is a PITFA. I'm not sure what it is but... there's a bar that runs parallell to the swaybar. it's like an inch away and makes it pretty difficult to get to the bolt. Granted, my car wasn't on a lift or anything... but still. Based on the posts you guys made, I figured this was doable with the car on the ground.

 

[Jgar_msp]

What size bolts are those that were bought @ Home Depot???

 

[CHICO2003]

finally installed these.... friend of mine let me use his lift. it's a lot easier to get to the top bolt that way. anyway, bushings defintely made a huge difference. no more clunk... no more squeaky bed (at least not when I drive) and the handling obviously is much improved as well. Let's just hope this "solution" lasts longer than Mazda's... I was having mine replaced every 6 months until my warranty went out.

 

[sp33d03]

Parts needed:
2 AWR MP3 Urethane Replacement Bushings
They are red not black not sure why they are like that on awr.com
Image #1
4 Home Depot Replacement Bolts (Optional)
Image #2

Tools needed:
Craftsman 3/8 in. Drive Flex Head Ratchet (Recomended)
Image #3
14MM Socket standard length and deep
17MM Socket standard length and deep (Home Depot Bolts)
3" Extension Bar

Suplies needed:
Grease
Thread Lock

what is the site you used to get your 20mm bushings?

 

[Kansei]

finally installed these.... friend of mine let me use his lift. it's a lot easier to get to the top bolt that way. anyway, bushings defintely made a huge difference. no more clunk... no more squeaky bed (at least not when I drive) and the handling obviously is much improved as well. Let's just hope this "solution" lasts longer than Mazda's... I was having mine replaced every 6 months until my warranty went out.

It'll last as long as you take them back off a few times a year to grease them.

Eventually you'll get sick of that and buy the AXR clunk fix bracket and a grease gun (greasable bushings ftw)

 

[CHICO2003]

or sell the car and let it be someone else's problem

 

[sp33d03]

ahha yeh sell the car is a better idea

 

[sp33d03]

i fixed my rear clunk .. now i have the same problem in the front, everytime i go over a bump it makes that annoying sound.. so can i buy front bushings? and change thme out, are they the same as the rear? i need to kno, thanks