Installed RacingBeat Rear Links, ..goodbye TwosRUs Options

[azian_advanced]

So here's the story. As i was in the middle of upgrading my suspension from teins to even better teins, i had sheared one of the studs off of the TwosRUs links because it had fused with the sway bar. apparently links should always be greased up since they swivel and rub with the sway bar while going over bumps so i can imagine the heat or friction occurring and cause the bolts to seize. so instead of ordering another pair, i decided to try something else. after a quick search, i found out a couple of members are using racingbeat rear links off of a 90-97 miata without problems.

After a quick comparison between the two I have to say that not only are the RacingBeat links more affordable than the TwosRUs ones ($59 vs. $75 for the pair), but they're imo beefier and better designed. the studs don't have spherical joints unlike the TwosRUs links and instead have urethane bushings so it provides a stiffer connection with the sway bar and the struts. these can also be adjusted in length just like the TwosRUs links.

..so if you're going to upgrade springs and/or rear endlinks, go for these.. just make sure you grease all the bolts and between the washers and swaybar for easy removal in the future. Now I just need to find similar ones for the front...


Link: 90-97 Miata Sway Bar Rear End Links














RacingBeat Miata vs. TwosRUS ST185 Rear Links





The TwosRUs links in their prime






This post has been edited by azian_advanced: Sep 21, 2012 - 2:01 AM

[azian_advanced]

update:

so apparently i had one rear bushing go bad.. so bad that it was the cause of my loose steering feeling.. to make things worse, i ordered the wrong set of bushings (i got the non sport suspension bushings instead of the sport suspension) so i'll be putting them up FS soon. anyway, one of the long bolts holding the two control arms to the knuckle on the rear passenger side was seized. my dad and i spent about an hour torching, lubricating, and even used a 4ft pipe as an extension to try and get the bolt out. we got the bolt to turn but it wouldn't come out for some reason. so we gave up and brought it to a nearby shop which belongs to a family friend of ours. even he couldn't get it out at first.. lol. but what he did was he dropped the entire rear crossmember and used a whole tank of propane to heat the knuckle and get the bolt out. so $115 later, my car was back together with the new bushing put in and i was on my way.

now about the end links... it's winter here and i have to say i am liking these endlinks very much.. the rear end doesn't 'roll' as much as the old links did and turning feels better. it added more oversteer but can be a bit tail happy on snow if i turn a little recklessly. overall, i'm happy with the way the car feels now.