SuperPro

Super Pro suspension bushings

[10/12/2006] Reviewed by: Noah T. (Arkmage)

Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99-'05 1.6 liter 1.8 liter

High quality performance urethane bushing set from Australia. Different durometers are used for different bushings, just like Mazda did. This gives the same handling balance as stock but with more precision. Complete kit includes for all control arms, front and rear. Sway bar bushings not included.

Install was a bit of a hassle even with the tool recommended by Flyinmiata. I made a made a new reciever cup by machining out the inside of a black iron pipe fitting, this helped a lot. Install took approximately 12 hours with hand tools only. These really made a drastic difference in the feel of the car. Bumps are a little harsher, but not as bad as expected. The suspension rattles and pops are gone. Feels like a new car. Drifting also appears to be much more stable and easier to control. I'd recommend these to just about anyone.

Once again I'm very pleased with the quality of service and parts supplied by FM.

Difficult to remove without leaving damage

SuperPro Suspension bushings

[6/2/2005] Reviewed by: Nick Dougill - nickdougill@yahoo.co.uk

Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter

Superpro suspension bushes

Good

Have just changed all the standard control arm suspension bushes on my 2003 1.8 sport for SuperPro bushes. I can’t comment on the improvement as yet as the car is still on stands waiting on Koni shocks, however I did find this a very easy process to do. I needed no specialist tools, just a bit of care and patience. I used a length of studding about 2 foot long in each control arm. As I live in the UK, the studding I used was M12 and M10 for the rear upper’s, however 3/8 or 7/16 would do, or anything that will fit through the ½” drive hole on the end of a socket. For the most part I just pushed the bushes towards each other by fitting a socket each end of the stud and winding the nut on (Remember to grease the stud first, it helps) By altering the size of the socket you can “fix” which bush you push out. A large socket tends to hold the bush in position, while the smaller one will push the opposite bush out. I guess it allows the rubber to compress more. However, ensure the socket is either “small” in the metal crush tube or larger, else you can force it up the socket teeth and get it stuck. All the bushes just pushed through, including the front lowers which have the large diameter face on the outside of the bush. There were a couple of times when I needed to use a tube and a piece of flat bar with a hole in the centre just to bridge the gap over the control arm, this was because I did not have a big enough socket which would need to be about 1 1/2”+. Pushing the new units in was just as easy and once the shoulder was in the control arm, most could be pushed in position by hand. By using a trolley jack under the brake rotor (disc) I did the fronts, both upper and lower without splitting the ball joints or even disconnecting the control arm link, it was that easy. You just need to take care not to let anything fall too far, hence the jack, so as to strain the brake hose, or damage the ABS sensor wire / cable.

Over 30 minutes to remove completely

Super Pro suspension bushings

[6/14/2004] Reviewed by: Alan Suttie - suttie@telus.net

Applicable to: '90 - '97

Super Pro urethane bushing set, excluding the sway bar bushings since I had already upgraded these to aftermarket pieces.

Well packaged and identified, important since there are 22 bushings in a set. High quality moulding on the urethane pieces and the steel bushings are well finished. Speedy delivery and helpful service from Flyin' Miata. I'm happy with the bushings, tightens up the car, particularly for autocross. No significant increase in harshness of ride or road noise. It took me 8 full hours to change out all 22 bushings working on my own in a carport but with a shop nearby. I'm not a professional mechanic.

A few points on the installation not directly related to the product: (a) Plan to use a press to remove the old bushings, mine took up to 3 tons to remove, but I didn't want to use heat. A selection of pipe pieces and steel shaft offcuts comes in handy to press out the old bushings. (b)I used a die grinder and 60 grit flap wheel to cean out the bushing holes in the suspension arm, there was some rust and residual rubber in the bores. This made fitting the urethane bushings a snap, most could be pushed in by hand with liberal application of the grease supplied in the bushing kit. (c) Rather than try to break the steering ball joints on the car I removed upper and lower suspension arms complete with the hub in one piece and dealt with the ball joints up on a bench in the shop.

Difficult to remove without leaving damage

Super Pro Polyurethane Bushings

[3/12/2004] Reviewed by: Chris Eberle - ceberle@hvc.rr.com

Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter

A complete set of polyurethane suspension bushings for any year Miata. The bushings have different durometers like the stock rubber ones.

Well-made and precise-fitting. These are quality pieces. I got the offset ones so I could dial in more camber.

This is an awesome upgrade. Ride quality is much better even with my FM springs and KYB shocks set to full stiff. All harshness and vibration is gone. There is zero bump steer. The car is much more composed in bumpy corners. The car simply tracks the road with no extra motion or jiggling. The point of this mod is not the extra stiffness but making the suspension work without the binding caused by rubber bushings. I used plenty of grease on installation to prevent squeaking. Since poly doesn't wear out or harden like rubber, these will probably be the last bushings I'll ever buy!

Difficult to remove without leaving damage