IL Motorsport Competition differential bushing pair
IL Motorsport Competition differential bushing pair
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Description
While most of the differential movement is restrained by the stock Power Plant Frame, stiffer side bushings can also help cut down on it. This means your shifter moves less and more power is transmitted through to the wheels. It'll also help you avoid the classic 2-5 shift.
These are similar to the Mazda Competition parts, but on a budget. Like the Mazda parts, they're about 40% stiffer than stock. They'll increase NVH slightly, but not as dramatically as solid mounts or polyurethane ones.
Fits all NA and NB Miatas. Sold as a pair, enough for one car.
Instructions
Instructions are not currently available.
Shipping
What does it fit?
Fits: 1990-1997, 1999-2005, 2004-2005 MSM
Emissions
Emissions do not apply.
Warranty
1 year
SKU
Good quality but can only use on factory lower pads so you can't mix with poly set
Stock bushings came out easy. I purchased the Harbor Freight 12T press just to install these. The bushings were over 1/4" from being fully seated when the press bent the H arm and snapped an arbor plate. I went out, got another press and still couldn't get them any further. After talking with FM, we decided I was likely pressing on only the center sleeve since the bushing is not flat. I was able to get a 46mm socket, flip it over and throw some grease on there and press them out. I ended up going with poly bushings, which were so much easier to install.
You will absolutely need a press and probably a large socket, the circumference of the diff insert to install these.
Purchased these because I wasn’t sure I wanted to go poly and regret the added noise and vibration. Installing these was tough, I tried to do it without removing the dif but the stock bushings just wouldn’t budge and there isn’t much room to fight with them. After removing and getting the dif over to my press the install was pretty straight forward. A review posted here says not to remove the rubber from the dif plates, and an email to customer service confirmed this however when I did my install the rubber points on the plates are about 1/2” from touching the dif bracing like the stock ones do. Unfortunately my email to customer service has gone unanswered so I’m just assuming this is ok since they are torqued and bolted down. After driving the car I don’t have any added noise or vibrations but after installing these and new performance rubber engine mounts I still have some twist occurring to my shifter under acceleration. Ultimately I think I should have gone poly and might in the near future.
The gap isn't unusual on a fresh install, as the new bushings haven't sagged / settled and are therefore holding the diff higher than the tired stock bushings. It is very important to reinstall these 'plates', though. As for the delay in our customer service, we try really hard to respond ASAP to all of our inquiries, but even with five people dedicated full-time to customer support, we sometimes fall behind.
First, these bushings use the OEM Diff Mount Lower Bushing Stoppers. So when you remove the plates to take out the diff, do not burn the rubber off, grind clean and paint as you would with polyurethane or you'll need to order new ones. (Not the worst thing with 28 yr old stoppers but approx $50 each.) Second, my OEM bushings were exceptionally hard to remove and these bushings were exceptionally hard to seat. There is no way it could have been done with the diff in the car. I ended up using a ball joint bushing press with both a air wrench and also a 1/2 in drive ratchet with a breaker bar. Third, I like these bushings! My NVH actually got better since I have the noisy IRP short shifter and these bushings made the vibration better. Only had one drive but shifting (2nd to 3rd) already seems better. Just be prepared for a big job.