Hi there,

I thought I ask the question here about bushings and my future suspension plans. So here it goes. I am in the process of restarting/rebuilding/redoing my car (72 RX-2) that has been sitting for a while. I remember that some bushings were pretty bad and now is a good chance to change them out while the car its still non operational. Eventually I want to change the suspension to be more updated (bigger brakes and possibly changing the springs and struts to seven parts) So my question to you guys is, would changing the bushings to new ones be pointless if I was to do the upgrades I mentioned? Or do I need to do that regardless? What's the difference between the "rubber" and "red" colored bushings? And Finally, does anyone have recommendations for a place to buy the bushings?

ON a side note the rotors and other brake parts are rusted pretty bad so fearing the worst I may need to this upgrade sooner then I would have liked. I had planned to get the car running and then do these upgrades sometime in the new future.

Thanks for any help you can provide....

regards,
Jason

Hi,

You will still need to keep all the original bushings if you are only planning on swapping the struts for RX7 ones. The bushings are on the inner control arms, swar bar ends and sway bar mounts. I think the trick to swapping the struts will be getting them to match the steering knuckles. I know you can put later shock inserts into the RX2 struts with the adaptors they sell here. Bigger brakes can be bought from Oz as a kit. They generally use Holden (thats Opel, Vauxhall, GM depending upon where youre from) front calipers and discs as theres lots of them over there. That's probably easier.

As far as the difference between rubber and red, I assume youve seen some nolathane bushes. The aftermarket stuff is made of urethane, not ruber. Not much difference between each make if you ask me. I bought some from Oz last month. They are Superpro bushes. You can get a front set, and rear set on Ebay. He also has a dealer in the UK. The only problem is that you will have to take the suspension apart and take it to a workshop to have them pressed in. Mazda make them in 2 parts, Superpro doesnt.

Oh yeah, thew sway bars are different diameters so you need to specify which size you want!

I need to rebuild the clutch and brake master cylinders on mine and the parts look a little hard to come by.

Good luck.

Yes, more than likely any swap you do will still involve the majority of the stock bushings. Crit got his from scotts old rubber in AUS. Nolothane from what I remember.

-billy

I googled it and Nolothane is a brand NOT a material. It that correct? They use polyurethane to make their products.

About the upgrade I am thinking of doing, I am really interested in just changing the rear drums to disk brakes and changing the struts and shocks to something a little more current. Do you guys recommend the Tokico Blue or Illumina? I noticed that you guys have Rx2, Tokico Shock Spacer Kit for the front, what about the rear? What needs to be done to it so I can put the shocks in the back?

Yes, they are all using urethane. Why buy tokico or whatever? You racing it? Why not just put in some gas shocks from Ultima in Oz. They will do the trick. Check them out on Ebay. Combine that with some lowered springs and it will drive like its on rails. King springs used to make some.

I am keeping mine stock and unmolested.

Blues are a replacement for stock. If you change the spring rate you will need to go with illuminas. We do have spacer for the front to use rx7. In the rear, you need to look at the other thread. He converted second gen rx7 struts.

No, I don't plan on racing it. I just want a tight responsive suspension so it handles well on the street. It wont be a DD but when I do drive her I want to make sure it can handle it. Actually, it has Koni adjustable in there now but I assumed they are bad by now I bought them years ago. In the rear I think they have Mulholland or something.