|
|
Thread: all the dust boots in my front suspension
|
Tom93R1
Redlining
Posts: 458
|
posted February 01, 2003 12:06 PM |
|
all the dust boots in my front suspension
All my ball joint dust boots are pretty much gone. The joints are all drying out from lack of protection.
Is it possible to just replace the boots or do I need to buy whole new ball joints? Is this something I can do in my driveway or do I need a press to put ball joints on? I guess it will probably need an alignment afterwards so maybe it will be better just to get the parts myself and have somebody else do it.
What do you guys think?
thanks
____________
'74 lawn-green
4-port 13b
Weber 48DCO
Racing Beat Header
Magnaflow
resonator/amplifier
really loud!
|
|
knight1976
Revvin Up
Posts: 58
|
posted February 01, 2003 02:17 PM |
|
|
Just replace the ball joint its going to be the same hastle either way. And it would help a little on the way the front handles on the truck. Just my .02
|
|
Klaus43
Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
|
posted February 01, 2003 03:15 PM |
|
You mean they actually came with dust boots?
My el-cheapo, less than optimal solution: Grease-gun the heck outta them repeatedly until they work as good as they still can, until you replace 'em. Might as well prepare to do your entire front-end suspension restoration while you're at it: new sway bar bushings, tie-rod ends, etc. ...
Meantime an overabudance of clean grease just might keep you on the road a while longer!
|
|
Tom93R1
Redlining
Posts: 458
|
|
posted February 01, 2003 06:02 PM |
|
So it looks like I will just replace everything up front then.
What all is there for bushings etc?
From looking at www.carparts.com I know I can replace the following:
Upper and Lower ball joints on both sides
Upper and lower control arm bushings, both left and right.
inner and outer tie rod ends, both right and left.
I can get all Moog, is that a good brand?
Anything else I should replace while I am at it? Or any other places to get these parts?
thanks
Damn, so far this comes to about $250. An alignment will bring it up to $300 which is what I paid for the truck. Oh well, I guess this will just delay the interior and body work for another few months.
____________
'74 lawn-green
4-port 13b
Weber 48DCO
Racing Beat Header
Magnaflow
resonator/amplifier
really loud!
|
|
Klaus43
Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
|
posted February 02, 2003 09:15 AM |
|
Sway bar bushings!
Gotta replace those too...of course, if there ever was a best time to do any suspension mods, such as lowering, or adding a 'real' sway bar--or going to urethane bushings, this would be the time to do it! I'd be prepared to make sure the upper and lower A-arm bushings are still within spec as well--lack of grease will take it's toll--and don't forget the pitman arm, not to mention a new set of shocks (and maybe new rubber?) before you're done...
I'd start by contacting someone friendly in a Mazda parts dept. for the relevant part numbers/possible availability...Moog may well be good, but I've no personal experience...I have been informed in the past as to "minor differences" between certain REPU and Courier front-end parts, however...basically like the difference btwn. old-school GMC and Chevy--a bit more heavy-duty for REPU...or so I was told!
Ask your friendly Mazda parts pro if it's possible to still order any of your needed parts NOS from Japan--this may entail a VIN#-specific order, so go prepared!
(And should you be successful, please do let me know what's still available at what cost!) Thanks, klausdp@hotmail.com
|
|
Tom93R1
Redlining
Posts: 458
|
|
posted February 03, 2003 11:34 AM |
|
What is the pitman arm? I replaced the bushings in the idler arm last summer, is the pitman arm the similar part but on the drivers side that cunects up with the steering
column? I havent been able to find pitman arm bushings at the web sites I have checked so far.
____________
'74 lawn-green
4-port 13b
Weber 48DCO
Racing Beat Header
Magnaflow
resonator/amplifier
really loud!
|
|
Klaus43
Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
|
posted February 04, 2003 11:59 AM |
|
Yup, that's it!
You prob. can't find the bushing because it's only sold integral with the pitman itself...(just a guess)... and, of course, the part is 'obsolete'...
|
|
Tom93R1
Redlining
Posts: 458
|
|
posted February 04, 2003 12:21 PM |
|
So now I am going to spend $300 on refurbishing my front suspension and I still probably wont be able to replace all the worn parts. oh well, maybe I can stuff some greased sticks in the pitman arm when the bushing starts to fall apart. That works for door hinges, why not pitman arms?
____________
'74 lawn-green
4-port 13b
Weber 48DCO
Racing Beat Header
Magnaflow
resonator/amplifier
really loud!
|
|
knight1976
Revvin Up
Posts: 58
|
|
posted February 04, 2003 12:27 PM |
|
You should just spend that $300 on your exhaust and get some real results from your money. Sure you wont be able to ride in it comfortably or keep it under control on the highway but screw it youll be going fast! :) jk Lots of good info about suspension parts availability.
____________
1990 GXL (All stock except for rims)S5 Turboii/GTUs rims
1974 REPU FOR SALE
|
|
Klaus43
Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
|
posted February 05, 2003 10:53 AM |
 Edited By: klaus42 on 5 Feb 2003 11:33 |
Believe it!
(or not...) $300 bucks for a fairly complete front-end rebuild isn't out of line these days... but then again, it's easy to spend more than that on exhaust as well. Screw Midas and those other know-nothing shops! They'll charge too much for the wrong stuff every time. Find yourself a sympathetic rotorhead with a welder, and do up your own exhaust from the header on back. It's simpler than a front end...
|
|
Tom93R1
Redlining
Posts: 458
|
|
posted February 05, 2003 02:03 PM |
|
I have been anxious to do my exhaust eveer since I picked up an RB header at sevenstock. Instead other things like bushings, shocks, and tires keep coming up for the REPU, the 7, and my motorcycle. Then on top of that I just did my taxes and found I owe Uncle Sam a small fortune. Hopefully before I retire in 35 years the REPU will have its header put on. Of course it will have gone through another couple sets of bushings by then.
____________
'74 lawn-green
4-port 13b
Weber 48DCO
Racing Beat Header
Magnaflow
resonator/amplifier
really loud!
|
|
Klaus43
Rotorhead
Posts: 1259
|
posted February 05, 2003 03:09 PM |
|
Death and Taxes...
I hear ya... bracing myself for the upcoming delimma:how to pay with no added source of funds? I still need to deal with last year's as well...didn't get a chance to while buying my house/moving/working/helping my dad move/working/working/working... Sure hope it's not too extreme. Remember: If you have credit anywhere at a better rate than the interest Uncle Scam charges, 'tis better to owe/pay on that--and write off the interest! (I should take my own advice...) Meanwhile, that RB header is THE biggest bang-for-buck single improvement you can install. Just do it! Your REPU will love you for it, and you'll get a bit more joy in your life whenever you do drive it. 'ElCheapo' mufflers can work OK for a while... provided they're far enough back, preferably not packed with fiberglas, and you pay attention to when they DO disintegrate, so as to not be running a blocked exhaust (very bad). You might need to try two in a row (I did), to get it 'quiet enough'... any Cat. converter in-line must be of the high-flow variety...easiest is just to go header to collector to straight pipe back to muffler(s). Of course, the RB presilencer is a desirable addition, despite the added cost & weight... You might well be able to plumb in a 1st-gen rx7 muffler at the tailend --preferably from the GSL-SE ?-- that you could maybe get cheep at a yard...? At least a mufffler made for rotary use would last...
|
|
Tom93R1
Redlining
Posts: 458
|
|
posted February 05, 2003 03:49 PM |
|
Currently I am running a Midas cat (cheapest they had) with the air pump plumbed straight into it. I have some generic 12" resonator the muffler shop put on and a generic muffler way at the back. It isnt fiberglass packed or anything, but it is super quiet. When I get on it the only thing I hear is the Weber roaring. Can't hear the exhaust at all. The cat has only been on maybe 500 miles, had to get it to pass emissions. The rest of the exhaust system has 10-15k on it without a sign of rust. I was hoping it would fail quickly so I would have an excuse to get the header put on. Since it works and is not necessary the exhaust keeps getting put on the back burner.
When I finally get to doing my exhaust I will probably get the muffler Racing Beat sells for the 1st Gen and run a straight pipe from my header to it. I dont think I will need a resonator with that muffler will I?
____________
'74 lawn-green
4-port 13b
Weber 48DCO
Racing Beat Header
Magnaflow
resonator/amplifier
really loud!
|
|
knight1976
Revvin Up
Posts: 58
|
|
posted February 05, 2003 06:39 PM |
|
quote:
Currently I am running a Midas cat (cheapest they had) with the air pump plumbed straight into it. I have some generic 12" resonator the muffler shop put on and a generic muffler way at the back. It isnt fiberglass packed or anything, but it is super quiet. When I get on it the only thing I hear is the Weber roaring. Can't hear the exhaust at all. The cat has only been on maybe 500 miles, had to get it to pass emissions. The rest of the exhaust system has 10-15k on it without a sign of rust. I was hoping it would fail quickly so I would have an excuse to get the header put on. Since it works and is not necessary the exhaust keeps getting put on the back burner.
When I finally get to doing my exhaust I will probably get the muffler Racing Beat sells for the 1st Gen and run a straight pipe from my header to it. I dont think I will need a resonator with that muffler will I?
If you run that setup it will be VERY VERY loud. No if and s or buts about it it will get you tickets i GUA RAUN TEE.
|
|
Tom93R1
Redlining
Posts: 458
|
|
posted February 05, 2003 07:35 PM |
|
The 1st gen Racing Beat muffler is that loud? I figured as quiet as the 3rd gen cat-back is the 1st gen wouldnt be that bad. So I am going to need the pre-silencer that RB sells also I guess,
____________
'74 lawn-green
4-port 13b
Weber 48DCO
Racing Beat Header
Magnaflow
resonator/amplifier
really loud!
|
|
knight1976
Revvin Up
Posts: 58
|
|
posted February 05, 2003 08:08 PM |
|
|
Si senior but its not all bad the rb presilencer doesnt cost you much HP at all. Not that you have a lot to lose to beguin with but you know.......:D
|
|
knight1976
Revvin Up
Posts: 58
|
|
posted February 05, 2003 08:09 PM |
|
|
I just wanted to take this time to state that i too am without hood prop.:( Someone please help me and tom out!!!!
|
|
Tom93R1
Redlining
Posts: 458
|
|
posted February 06, 2003 07:41 AM |
|
quote:
I just wanted to take this time to state that i too am without hood prop.:( Someone please help me and tom out!!!!
I feel like we have bonded :)
____________
'74 lawn-green
4-port 13b
Weber 48DCO
Racing Beat Header
Magnaflow
resonator/amplifier
really loud!
|
|
knight1976
Revvin Up
Posts: 58
|
|
posted February 06, 2003 09:00 AM |
|
I was inspired by the text under your login name. It reminded me that i too was in desperate need of one also.
____________
1990 GXL (All stock except for rims)S5 Turboii/GTUs rims
1974 REPU FOR SALE
|
|
straightrepu
Redlining
Posts: 232
|
|
posted February 07, 2003 12:07 PM |
|
ball joints
checked out mazda database, old style ball joints supersede
to 77-84 b series type. there is one upper and one lower in
the warehouses. maybe more in japan. i have used moog products in the past, good parts. i think i`d buy from
carparts.com.
____________
74 restorepu
|
|
|
|
