nope-mx3 wrote:How did the SRD`s feel compared to stock bushings?
I got the front control arm SRD bushings ready to install, to get it approved.
And then either get everything from SuperPro later on.
They made a monster difference, but you've gotta' remember that the stock bushings on my car were completely shot. Mazda used a silicone filled rubber bushing in the aft LCA joint. On both sides of my car, that bushing was torn, empty, and crazy loose. That's why I needed to get something in there super quick. Bottom line is that I don't really have a good baseline to compare it to stock.
I'm also still on the old ball joints, so still have a little slop and pop left after the SRD bush install. Moog ball joints and tie rod ends should be in sometime this week, so I'll swap those this weekend and should have a much better feel for the improvement.
I also completely destroyed the passenger side swaybar endlink in the process of removing it. Both nuts were seized and spinning the ball in the socket, so I had to pry it off. It took surprisingly little effort to shatter the plastic socket, which is kind of alarming. I'm surprised these don't break more often for people around here. I'm going to try some Honda "closed S" type linkages with whatever the urethane donut bushings at Pep Boys are. I think they'll fit okay if I can get the right length. If not, I'll see if I can find a set of the stock ones and just keep an eye on them, or I may see if I can find a heim joint setup that will work for me.
If you're planning on using the stock type of endlink, I'd highly recommend you order a new set for the car. The chances are pretty good that you'll destroy yours just like I did, and in my opinion, those parts should be replaced periodically anyway due to their materials and design. Plastic gets brittle over time and exposure to the elements, and these tend to be highly stressed joints. Not something you want aged plastic taking care of. If you do use the stock type endlink, the endlink bushing kit SPF0903K is not neccessary. It may be neccessary, however, if you want to change to a different linkage setup depending on your design and needs.
As far as my overall impression about the SPF bushings, I think it would be a very good improvement over the stock stuff, even if the stock bushings are still in good shape. It may be too harsh for some people, but I don't mind it yet, and probably never will. As always, YMMV. It definitely increases NVH a great deal, which should be expected with such a rigid mount. Overall the feel is very good, ride quality was negatively affected but is bearable, handling seems quite a bit better, and it all feels nice and tight.
I think I'll like the SuperPro stuff better when it comes in, but we'll see. The Urethane bushings should be just compliant enough to take the majority of the harshness out of the ride, as well as absorb most of the increased NVH, while still providing a nice tight solid feel and adequate suspension geometry control.
