Shot pillowballs - harmful?

bbade · 05-29-2009, 10:50 PM

So my pillowballs are pretty well shot, I plan on replacing them this summer. I am going to bring the 7 out to Indiana for the summer, so i'm looking at a 700 mile drive.

How critical is it that the pillowballs be replaced, can I do this after the move when I have time to do it myself or should I have them replaced prior to the drive?

***ZGN*** · 05-30-2009, 12:24 PM

My rear ones were shot for over 2 years with no Ill effects other than a clunk clunk when braking, or accelerating from a stop to start and sometimes between low rpm shifts and when you let off the throttle in gear. If you plan on drag racing you car it is possible that would could create further damage by extermely hard launches. It could possibly cause uneven wear on your tires.

ZachFD · 06-15-2009, 05:58 PM

they can lead to snap oversteer if your rear wheels are able to move left/right

albertomg · 06-15-2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZachFD

they can lead to snap oversteer if your rear wheels are able to move left/right

Huh?

bbade · 06-15-2009, 06:53 PM

Update - I made it to Indiana with no issues.

I had never taken the 7 on a trip this long and let me say it performed beautifully. Absolutely magnificent car, just another nail in my rotary coffin

.

ZachFD · 06-15-2009, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albertomg

Huh?

if you jack up the car and grab a rear wheel and try to move it left/right...on a car with really worn bushings it will click left and right a few centimeters. If the rear end steps out on you, and you overcorrect or something and put alot of force one of the rear corners, worn bushing can cause the wheel to toe out and contribute to snapping the car around.

albertomg · 06-16-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZachFD

if you jack up the car and grab a rear wheel and try to move it left/right...on a car with really worn bushings it will click left and right a few centimeters.

That example is more useful in determining play in the wheel bearings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZachFD

If the rear end steps out on you, and you overcorrect or something and put alot of force one of the rear corners, worn bushing can cause the wheel to toe out and contribute to snapping the car around.

If the rear steps out on your, talent (or luck) is what is going to save you.

Not all the bushings affect toe so your example is a bit presumptuous. Worn bushings will feel sloppy and lack precision which can cause various handling issues depending on which bushing it is.

Understand that I'm not trying to bust your chops. Just trying to broaden your understanding/interpretation. For the OP, he was just taking a long cruise so the effects of driving on worn pillowballs are minimal.

ZachFD · 06-17-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by albertomg

That example is more useful in determining play in the wheel bearings.

If the rear steps out on your, talent (or luck) is what is going to save you.

Not all the bushings affect toe so your example is a bit presumptuous. Worn bushings will feel sloppy and lack precision which can cause various handling issues depending on which bushing it is.

Understand that I'm not trying to bust your chops. Just trying to broaden your understanding/interpretation. For the OP, he was just taking a long cruise so the effects of driving on worn pillowballs are minimal.

I guess I wasn't too clear.

I didn't mean that worn bushings will always lead to this scenario. My car has worn bushings in the rear that pop and clunk and in the front as well. However, the car doesn't have any alignment/toe problems/instability, but I have heard of it happening depending on the severity of a particular bushing.

05-29-2009, 10:50 PM	#1
bbade Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Macungie, PA Posts: 163 Rep Power: 18	Shot pillowballs - harmful? So my pillowballs are pretty well shot, I plan on replacing them this summer. I am going to bring the 7 out to Indiana for the summer, so i'm looking at a 700 mile drive. How critical is it that the pillowballs be replaced, can I do this after the move when I have time to do it myself or should I have them replaced prior to the drive? __________________ Proud owner of a base 1993 Montego Blue FD. PFC, RB single tip, Koyo Radiator, KDR rebuilt motor, polished OEM front strut bar, FEED replica sideskirts, OEM 99 spec rear spoiler, SuperPro Bushings Many thanks to Dave at KDR for sparking my rotor addiction.

05-30-2009, 12:24 PM	#2
*ZGN* Administrator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,264 Rep Power: 10	My rear ones were shot for over 2 years with no Ill effects other than a clunk clunk when braking, or accelerating from a stop to start and sometimes between low rpm shifts and when you let off the throttle in gear. If you plan on drag racing you car it is possible that would could create further damage by extermely hard launches. It could possibly cause uneven wear on your tires. __________________ Kevin

06-15-2009, 06:53 PM	#5
bbade Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Macungie, PA Posts: 163 Rep Power: 18	Update - I made it to Indiana with no issues. I had never taken the 7 on a trip this long and let me say it performed beautifully. Absolutely magnificent car, just another nail in my rotary coffin . __________________ Proud owner of a base 1993 Montego Blue FD. PFC, RB single tip, Koyo Radiator, KDR rebuilt motor, polished OEM front strut bar, FEED replica sideskirts, OEM 99 spec rear spoiler, SuperPro Bushings Many thanks to Dave at KDR for sparking my rotor addiction.

06-15-2009, 05:58 PM	#3
ZachFD Rotary Fan in Training Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 40 Rep Power: 0	they can lead to snap oversteer if your rear wheels are able to move left/right