by "Nick Has an Exocet" (nickallain)
Published 08/20/2017 at 19:50
by "Nick Has an Exocet" (nickallain)
Published 08/20/2017 at 19:50
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STARS: 1
As you might recall, I did the rear lower control arm bushings on the $950Miata . After 100 miles, both sides of the rear look like the bushings are trying to walk away (same bushing on both sides). Thankfully I realized sooner than later. I thought that I had installed them correctly, but maybe not. Any idea what’s going on here and how to fix it?
(They are Energy 2 piece bushings. Only one half of the bushing is doing this. Other half is in there fine.)
I’m in the middle of a multi-weekend clutch job so I’ll definitely be taking care of this before going anywhere.
EDIT: As pointed out, I need big washers with this type of bushing that didn’t come with the stock setup or the kit.
In unrelated news, my daisy’s shipped off today for a nice young lad in Washington state who I connected with on Facebook. Damn shipping wheels/tires is expensive.
Bye Daisy!
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
08/20/2017 at 19:56, STARS: 7
You forgot to install really big washers.
"MM54" (mm54mk2)
08/20/2017 at 19:56, STARS: 4
Need a washer under the head of that bolt from the looks of it
"Nick Has an Exocet" (nickallain)
08/20/2017 at 19:58, STARS: 0
Hm, that seems obvious. Although odd that they didn’t have the washers on there originally (I was pretty careful to put things back the way they started).
"Die-Trying" (die-trying)
08/20/2017 at 20:03, STARS: 1
needs a big ol’ washer.......
"Nick Has an Exocet" (nickallain)
08/20/2017 at 20:04, STARS: 0
Stock diagram doesn’t have any washers, but yes - I would assume I need some.
"JGrabowMSt" (jgrabowmst)
08/20/2017 at 20:05, STARS: 2
The original kit may not have included the washers, or may not have needed them. Measure the diameter of the bushing and the bolt, make a run to your local hardware store and pick up matching washers. Larger is okay, and I suggest getting a washer that actually completely covers the bushing, basically hiding it. The Spohn control arms I have in the HEMIWagon came with polycarbonate washers and one already cracked. I’m not thrilled, but it’s a bitch to get that thing apart. I don’t look forward to swapping out those things....
"Nick Has an Exocet" (nickallain)
08/20/2017 at 20:10, STARS: 0
Thanks! That’s great advice.
If they were 2 part bushings & installed properly with grease, replacing one or two may be fairly easy. The rubber ones are much harder to remove/install. On the Miata, it was cheaper to go with poly or replace the entire control arm than buy rubber bushings - which is probably how your HEMIWagon ended up with them.
"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
08/20/2017 at 20:49, STARS: 1
My guess is the new ones have a larger inside diameter.
"JGrabowMSt" (jgrabowmst)
08/21/2017 at 00:18, STARS: 1
The HEMIWagon ended up with poly bushings everywhere because I had the entire suspension apart for coilovers and had a “fuck it” moment with my wallet.
The adjustable control arms with the cracked polycarbonate washer came with it’s own poly bushing and the washer, it most likely cracked because of the angle. The rear carrier and suspension geometry is really just a big mess with that car, so I’ll likely see if I can just swap in a metal washer and not worry about it again. I’ve literally had some of the strangest issues with the suspension in that car, but lately it’s been okay. Once I get it back together (waiting on an oil cooler after doing the timing cover gasket), the first thing I’m going to do is flog the shit out of it going through The Hawks Nest a few times...
Also, looking at the diagram you posted, 28-473 is the washer, but also the camber adjustment part. Maybe that’s what threw you off, or your car just didn’t have any installed? I at least know that on Neons, the camber adjustment bolts are not factory parts, they’re only installed when needed.
"Dave the car guy , still here" (a3dave)
08/21/2017 at 10:32, STARS: 2
Factory bushing had a metal sleeve which was bonded to the OE bushing. Need the big washers to keep the outer half of urethane bushing from walking.