Suspension Bushings Selection Discussion

[TitaniumTT]

Agree with Ted on all accounts.... get the energy suspension kit and go to war.... and there will be some battles on some of the bushings as described below.

As Ted said, per unit, it comes out ALOT cheaper to get the ES kit as opposed to getting the MS pieces separately. IMHO the ES pieces are tougher and cheaper without adversely effecting the NVH.

No... when it comes to mounts, unless you want to take the BDC approach and purchase a 2x4 to cut into engine mounts, the MS stuff is the way to go... and again agreeing with Ted here, Engine mounts, tranny mounts, front diff nose mounts, and outside diff mounts are better had with MazdaSpeed pieces as opposed to the derlin counter parts. Having said that I do have a pair of derlin on the outside of the Diff because they were basically free and I really don't mind them. I didn't expect them to really increase NVH and they really didn't.

Installations.... first.... make good friends with someone with a press and a bearing separator or find a machine shop that has these two tools. Otherwise it's going to be a war of cutoff wheels, hacksaws, chizels and hammers to get the bushings off the pivot on the lower control arm.. The proper tools turns this into a 3 minute one handed operation and honestly, it would be worth the $120 from HF for the press and whatever they have a bearing separator for.

The press is also going to be VERY handy for all the other bushings... otherwise they're ALL going to fight in one way shape or form....

You also have an S5. I would look into finding a set of S4 LCA's, ball joints and sway bar links as well....

[hozzmanrx7]

Originally Posted by TitaniumTT

Agree with Ted on all accounts.... get the energy suspension kit and go to war.... and there will be some battles on some of the bushings as described below.

As Ted said, per unit, it comes out ALOT cheaper to get the ES kit as opposed to getting the MS pieces separately. IMHO the ES pieces are tougher and cheaper without adversely effecting the NVH.

No... when it comes to mounts, unless you want to take the BDC approach and purchase a 2x4 to cut into engine mounts, the MS stuff is the way to go... and again agreeing with Ted here, Engine mounts, tranny mounts, front diff nose mounts, and outside diff mounts are better had with MazdaSpeed pieces as opposed to the derlin counter parts. Having said that I do have a pair of derlin on the outside of the Diff because they were basically free and I really don't mind them. I didn't expect them to really increase NVH and they really didn't.

Installations.... first.... make good friends with someone with a press and a bearing separator or find a machine shop that has these two tools. Otherwise it's going to be a war of cutoff wheels, hacksaws, chizels and hammers to get the bushings off the pivot on the lower control arm.. The proper tools turns this into a 3 minute one handed operation and honestly, it would be worth the $120 from HF for the press and whatever they have a bearing separator for.

The press is also going to be VERY handy for all the other bushings... otherwise they're ALL going to fight in one way shape or form....

You also have an S5. I would look into finding a set of S4 LCA's, ball joints and sway bar links as well....

An air hammer to knock out the stock bushing is your best friend when installing the rear bushings.