Can I change sway bar bushings without affecting alignment? (gen 2)

Hoobrus

Hoobrus

Greenie N00B Member
In the process of replacing my two front control arms on my 2011 Speed3, I had to remove the bolts that also hold the sway bar brackets on. I then discovered, not too surprisingly, that the sway bar bushings were dried out and cracked. I didn't know I'd even have to touch these, or I would have been ready with replacements, but oh well. I took an emergency trip to Autozone and bought some Moog/Duralast replacements (https://www.autozone.com/suspension...-sway-bar-bracket-bushing-hb200675/278154_0_0), but despite double checking I discovered that they are too small. It looks like this is a common mistake, and most of the online parts finders don't realize that the Mazdaspeed3 is a different diameter. I'm actually having a hard time finding a replacement that I am sure of, other than OEM (B37F-34-156B). Even the Corksport brand claims to only fit the gen 1.

My most urgent question - since changing this requires again removing the two bolts that hold in the rear of the control arm, will this mess with alignment? I had an appointment scheduled for alignment but it might make sense to wait if this is the case, although I'd rather get that done ASAP. If it doesn't affect alignment, I may just put this job off for now and keep my appointment.
 
Changing the bushings will change the alignment

Diamond motorsports has upgraded poly bushings that fit
 
Easter Bunny said:
Changing the bushings will change the alignment

Diamond motorsports has upgraded poly bushings that fit
Click to expand...

I assume you mean these?
https://damondmotorsports.com/colle...ront-sway-bar-bushings?variant=39926207316010

Are you sure these fit the gen 2? The title says it fits 2011 models, but the diagram image just says 2004-2009

To be clear, I'm not changing any of the actual control arm bushings (just did that), only the sway bar bushing. My concern was that these bolts also partially hold in the control arm (but that's a metal on metal joint, not via a control arm bushing)

Thanks.
 
i just changed control arms, and all bushings in the front end so i'm clear on how its connected. the damond website says 07-13, i dont know if they are all the same size but i did buy front swaybar bushings from damond that fit. try emailing them to confirm

@Matt@DM
 
Diamond should be able to get them to you be the weekend and it should only take an hour since you just had it all taken apart
 
I won't have time this weekend to install them, but I may still consider them for later. How do they compare to the OEM sway bar bushings? All the suspension is OEM or Moog so far, and I'm not looking for stiffer suspension generally (although I do have better motor mounts of course)
 
I have only put like five miles on them so can't really say. Stiffer away bar bushings won't change the ride though it just makes the sway bar effectively stiffer
 
I'd like to tack on another stupid question.
I was wondering what to do with the old control arms. Is there any value for people interested in just pressing out and replacing the old bushings and ball joint? Or, should I just trash/scrap them?
 
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