My 3rd gen rear suspension overhaul

AHarada · 02-25-2009, 07:28 PM

Ever since I bought my car a few thousand miles ago I've had the worst clunks in the suspension. I finally got around to overhauling the rear.

I started by removing the old stuff.

For some reason, whoever installed these delrin bushings put them in half assed. This is exactly how the cradle came off my car. I tapped the pin of the bushing with a hammer and the entire bushings popped out!

The car had trailing arm bushings of the same material and were not lubed when installed. One side had play in the bushing, and the other side the pin was frozen.

In with the new Superpros! Installation was very easy.

Here's before and after sandblasting. I think it is important to sandblast the inside bores of the arms after removing the old bushings to remove all the crap.

Replaced 6 pillowballs and seals. The old ones had a ridiculous amount of play in them. Replaced the trailing arm bushings with Mazdaspeed parts.

I also got a set of SuperPro toe link bushings. The installation of these is pretty difficult and I ended up giving up on them. I removed the small OEM bushing on one of the toe links, but couldn't get the big one out. I sold the superpros and may go with RE toe links instead.

Last but not least, here's a tip. The pressed-in spacer type bushings can be pulled back easily with a socket, nut, bolt, and some washers set up like so.

Planned for suspension is also Tein Flex, or GC sleeves and revalved Bilsteins. I'm still undecided on which setup, but I'm leaning towards the Bilsteins.

Brent · 02-25-2009, 08:15 PM

Looks very nice! What bilsteins are you wanting to get? What are you planning on using your car for?

AHarada · 02-25-2009, 08:23 PM

The only Bilsteins made for our car that I know of are the HD series shocks. They are made to be used with stock spring rates, but can be revalved for any spring rate and shock dyno'd with a plot sent to me for $65 a piece. I would be using them with Ground control 8/6kg spring sleeves.

The car's main purpose is spirited mountain driving and normal street driving, but I want it to be fully capable for road racing days.

http://www.bilstein.com/mistore/ymm_...reYMM=storeYMM

I'm hoping to get either setup at a much cheaper price than retail, so those prices don't really factor for my decision.

RIZZXX7 · 04-03-2009, 08:15 PM

Did all the noise in the rear go away?

02-25-2009, 07:28 PM	#1
AHarada Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 162 Rep Power: 18	My 3rd gen rear suspension overhaul Ever since I bought my car a few thousand miles ago I've had the worst clunks in the suspension. I finally got around to overhauling the rear. I started by removing the old stuff. For some reason, whoever installed these delrin bushings put them in half assed. This is exactly how the cradle came off my car. I tapped the pin of the bushing with a hammer and the entire bushings popped out! The car had trailing arm bushings of the same material and were not lubed when installed. One side had play in the bushing, and the other side the pin was frozen. In with the new Superpros! Installation was very easy. Here's before and after sandblasting. I think it is important to sandblast the inside bores of the arms after removing the old bushings to remove all the crap. Replaced 6 pillowballs and seals. The old ones had a ridiculous amount of play in them. Replaced the trailing arm bushings with Mazdaspeed parts. I also got a set of SuperPro toe link bushings. The installation of these is pretty difficult and I ended up giving up on them. I removed the small OEM bushing on one of the toe links, but couldn't get the big one out. I sold the superpros and may go with RE toe links instead. Last but not least, here's a tip. The pressed-in spacer type bushings can be pulled back easily with a socket, nut, bolt, and some washers set up like so. Planned for suspension is also Tein Flex, or GC sleeves and revalved Bilsteins. I'm still undecided on which setup, but I'm leaning towards the Bilsteins.

02-25-2009, 08:15 PM	#2
Brent Sua Sponte Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Killeen, TX Posts: 839 Rep Power: 18	Looks very nice! What bilsteins are you wanting to get? What are you planning on using your car for? __________________ Road Atlanta August 2011 NASA TT 1:33 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFY00PAK_Ps Traqmate's video of my car from the 2011 UTCC at VIR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Zcn6...layer_embedded Video of Yellow LS1 FD at NASA TT at VIR http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6k0lJkcwrM

04-03-2009, 08:15 PM	#4
RIZZXX7 DIGG7ER Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: VIRGINIA BEACH Posts: 94 Rep Power: 17	Did all the noise in the rear go away? __________________ EXCELLENCE IS NEVER AN ACCIDENT, IT IS ALWAYS THE RESULT OF HIGH INTENTION, SINCERE EFFORT, INTELLIGENT DIRECTION, SKILLFUL EXECUTION AND THE VISION TO SEE OBSTACLES AS OPPORTUNITY...

02-25-2009, 08:23 PM	#3
AHarada Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 162 Rep Power: 18	The only Bilsteins made for our car that I know of are the HD series shocks. They are made to be used with stock spring rates, but can be revalved for any spring rate and shock dyno'd with a plot sent to me for $65 a piece. I would be using them with Ground control 8/6kg spring sleeves. The car's main purpose is spirited mountain driving and normal street driving, but I want it to be fully capable for road racing days. http://www.bilstein.com/mistore/ymm_...reYMM=storeYMM I'm hoping to get either setup at a much cheaper price than retail, so those prices don't really factor for my decision.