R3 wishbone bushings

[kopite72]

Hi guys,

My front wishbone bushings need replacing so I'm just wondering would anyone have a link as to where I can order them? Don't fancy getting bent over by mazda.

I assume the bushings are the same as the S1's?

[New Duke]

Trade sellers show they are the same as the S1, but Warpc0il has access to the part numbers for both models so may be able to check for you.

New (assume you need upper and lower?):
https://www.powerflex.co.uk/products/RX ... 318/1.html
and
https://www.polybush.co.uk/shop/mazda/rx8

EDIT: Sod the above, Pete below has much better advice.

If you're planning on selling soon and don't fancy paying those prices I'm sure bigpete has some on the R3s he's breaking.

[kopite72]

Hi Haydn,
Yeah she failed the NCT ( MOT ) yesterday on the bushings,just to quote what's on the cert " offside front rearmost " worn.Im not inclined to spend big money on this but at the same time I wouldn't put parts that are not 100pc on her either

[PeteH]

The s1 bushes may well be the same but (if I recall correctly) the ball joint is different, so the s1 arms don't fit an R3. I also don't think you can order separate bushes from Mazda, so you'd have to order complete arm assembly, and the price of those is horrific. If you are thinking of pressing the bushes out of an s1 arm, and into your R3 arm, it may be possible, but it's very difficult, and you'd need a skilled engineering shop to attempt it.

So you are probably left with poly bushes being your only option. And with poly bushes I would only ever use SuperPro. The rear bush on the lower arm is particularly important for the ride and handing of the RX8, and it's a very complex bush (it's vertical, it has voids, and it has to allow for caster control). SuperPro has features that mimic all these aspects. I think a lot of other poly bushes don't have any special features, and will therefore make the handling and ride worse, and may also massively increase the stress on the lower arm and the subframe.

My advise would be; buy SuprPro, and get them fitted by an expert.

[kopite72]

Thanks for that Pete, don't suppose you have a link for me to have a look at and possibly purchase?

[PeteH]

It's not clear from the description whether it is your upper wishbone rear bush, or lower wishbone rear bush that has gone. But this is the link to everything SuperPro do for the RX-8. For your application I wouldn't worry about the the "offset" options they do. Just choose the standard kits. There is also a list of stockists on their web site. Note that they say all the bushes are common across s1 and R3.

https://www.superproeurope.com/products ... cleid=6287

[kopite72]

Cheers Pete, I came across it myself a little earlier but thanks for taking the time Pete, much appreciated and thanks for the explinations too

[kopite72]

Pete is totally correct.

That said, if it was my car, I'd be looking to find someone breaking a low-mileage R3 and buying the complete arms(s)

[kopite72]

Would these solve my problem?

https://www.mazdarotaryparts.com/Mazda- ... e-Bush-Kit

[PeteH]

They are just the same as all the other "Power Flex", "Strongflex", "Floflex", "Polybush" kits out there. A bit crude, and only really of use on a race car. Also note that those MRP bushes don't come with inners. You'd have to chop the inners out of your current bushes, clean them up, and fit them into these polybushes. That's a serious pain, because it means you can't chop through your current inners to remove the bushes. If you can't cut through the inners then it really only leaves the option of burning the bushes out, which isn't fun.

[kopite72]

Ok pete thanks,I think my best bet is what Dave suggested and try and get a hold of a lowish mileage complete wishbone and just get that on the car

[Mpv2k3]

https://www.racingbeateurope.com/mazda- ... 3389-p.asp

[kopite72]

600 quid?!! No thanks, plan is to get a wishbone from a broken R3

[PeteH]

(You can get the bushes individually!)

[New Duke]

Message biiigpeeeete serioooosleeeeee

(I'd splurge on the SuperPro ones, but if you're selling it just get it through the MOT mate)

[kopite72]

Been on to him already Hayden