There is a company that makes metal on metal replacement pillow ball bushings. I am in the process of getting more information about the replacement bushings.

 

Yes you will still need to replace the pillow ball bushings (if worn) and most likely from what I have read is with Jimlabs bushings they tend to wear the pillow ball bushings faster than, ecspcially the upper a-arm pillow ball. I believe this may have to do with the add hardness to the upper bushings, it may have been better to run a slightly softer upper are bushing.

 

Thank you! I will place an order today.

 

Talked to Ray at Malloy today - he has sold out of the bushings he has in stock, but has a few hundred (!) coming next week. He said he was overwhelmed by the response to this sale!

The dust seals for the bushings are part number FD01 26 250, and they're $4.75 each. You need 12, so that's $57 for a full set. A little pricey, but if you don't get the dust seals, you'll be looking at new pillowball bushings MUCH sooner. Matter of fact, Ray said he did his about a year ago and didn't replace the seals, and is having clunking only a year later.

Dale

 

I'm glad to see that this is coming along as well as it did!

 

definately recommend Malloy's. I have been ordering stuff from ray for the past few months (started with all pillowballs and all suspension bushings.......... ALL). He's pretty much the only guys I order parts from now. Excellent service and once he gets your info from the first purchase buying from him any time after that is a breeze. Definately recommend him.

 

i like your write up dale. the first time i read through it i thought it might be too dangerous too bend a bushing, but now it seems so much easier than the washer method. i dont want to pay someone 400$ to have it done either. i need to get off my lazy butt already. i bought my bushings in last years august group buy LOL

 

If any of you who bought these new pillowballs and did the install still have your old ones, I would appreciate it if you would drop me a pm. I'd like to have a look at an old set and figure out just what constitutes a bad pillowball before I disable my car. I'd be willing to pay shipping plus a few bucks for your trouble. And thanks to Walien for setting this up!

 

The nylon race fatigues and wears out over time; due to age, inadequate lubrication, debris finding its way inside. What you are looking for is any unwanted play or grooves in the race.

For example if you grab the two sections were the bolt passes thru and push/pull (as if you were pulling/pushing the ball out of the race) and you feel/hear a click its bad, then if you just move the ball in the race it should have a very smooth range of movement, if it seems to want to follow one track, or if you try to move it and you feel resistance (like it feels you are moving over "grooves") they need replaced.

You will have to remove the hubs from your car and the dust shields to inspect each bushings, (depending on the mileage of the bushings you might as well replace them at that point).

 

Thanks eyecandy. I will not be able to get home to work on my car for a while, so in the meantime, my offer above stands. And please let me know when you've got more info on the spherical bearings.

 

Is there anyone in the bay area that's willing to swap mine out for a nominal fee? =D

 

Yeah, PM "Rx7will". I bought some shocks and springs from him before and he installed them and aligned my car. He's a good guy and works at a shop and can do the entire job for you. He's in SF.

 

I just talked to Ray and he is shipping me 3 plus 6 dust sheilds. I would've gone through the Group buy but I only needed 3.

Ray's price of $52 ea. is a smoking deal. I got quoted $102 ea. buy some shitty mazda dealer here in the SF Bay Areal.

 

Thanks jpandes! I'll try pm'ing him

 

I'm doing mine in a week, along with new struts, springs, upper mounts. Also got some new s03's waiting to goo on too. I'm doing it myself, so the car will probably be down for a week or so..

 

Just ordered my set w/dust boots along with some other misc things I needed. Thanks WaLieN!!

 

I'm always glad to help the community out!

 

Let's keep this on top!

 

You guys are in luck. The Harbor Freight c-frame press that is the perfect tool to remove and install these is on sale for $20 again. It's normally $40.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38335

Everybody let adamc know if you get one

 

Oh, nice! That is the one AdamC and I used last time to get my pillowballs out.

Can I pick this up at the store for the same price?

 

Just ordered mine yesterday from Ray.

Thanks WaLieN for setting this up!

 

Maybe yes, maybe no. Many times the in-store and online specials are different. You'd have to call the store and ask.

 

Bring the flyer and HF will honor that price in the store. But the items marked on special may be different in the store.

Damon, do you know if this tool works best with the parts still attached to the car?

Dave

 

Damnit! I left my wallet at home today. For twenty bucks this is a steal... I bought the 12-ton Shop Press for $120, which works great. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but this tool might allow me to swap out some bushings with out actually removing the part from the car.

 

Yes. For the pillowballs you don't need to remove the parts from the car if using this tool.

Reza posted pics in a thread of him doing this procedure:

https://www.rx7club.com/suspension-wheels-tires-brakes-archive-112/pillow-balls-replacement-pics-256668/

Right. Some of the really stuck ones though won't yeild without the hydraulic press. Pillowballs are a no brainer to do on the car though. maxcooper showed us all how to do it years ago with sockets, nuts and bolts. The c-frame is just easier to use.