Hi, started tearing down the front end and found that the tension rods were so rusted they were almost 1/4 inch thinner where they met the plate. Mazda doesn't make them anymore. Any idea where I can find a set. Black dragon was the only place I found so far. Any other suggestions?

 

Scrap yard or better yet find somebody with a parts car in your area and just buy it off them.

I have a set but I'm in Toronto.

Inspect the area where the bushing sit, that area rusts out pretty bad aswell, and the hole where the tension rod (Strut rod) goes through gets larger and worn.

 

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Check around locally. If you come up short let me know.

I have a pair you can have if you cover shipping.

-billy

 

Not sure that i understand, but those tension rods are heavy duty, i don't think a little rust is going to affect them that much. I'm thinking since those old bushings are compressed so much that it's giving you the wrong idea??

 

Black Dragon sells them ...............for $130 each.

You're seriously better off going to the scrap yard buying someone's used.

 

try www.apexautoparts.net

 

Thanks for the info. Been trying the local scrap yards but most RX's have long been extinct in the Canada.

I know a 1/4 inch sounds like alot ... but they are. There was no inner sleeve in the bushings so I think they were just rubbing on the plate. The rear nut and washer are fused to the rod. Obviously the alignment hadn't been done on this car in a long time. I'll try to post a pic this weekend of what really bad tension rods look like.

 

yeah Canadian rx7 take a beating!! My Caddy had the same problem..... wore them right down to a twig.

 

I have an good set off my car. No rust flaking off just some very minimal surface rust on the one. If you want them send me a PM and we'll work out a price and shipping. Its already off the car so i can ship them out quickly.

Sam