Aftermarket Top Mount Bearings?

[Migeta22]

Hey Guys, so I took out the Vmaxx coilover on the front passenger side yesterday because sometime during the year I hit a big bump and the spring popped out of alignment. When I took the coils apart found that it had damaged the top mount bearings. I was quoted $38.51 for the top bushing with the bearings inside at Erinmills mazda.

So my question is, does anyone know if theres an aftermarket part that i can replace this with? Just a simplae bearing thats flat on both sides. The OEM part works but the top of the spring just doesnt have much room to sit and can slide off again if theres no pressure and plus the bearings arent completely closed off so dirty and water can get in.

http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/Migeta22/IMG_3112_zps28667246.jpg

This is the whole bushing with the bearings on top
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/peterm15/IMG_1810.jpg

[peterm15]

Lol. Is that the picture I put the arrows on???

There is aftermarket strut bearings. Corksport I believe. But don't quote me on that.

If the bearing housing itself isn't beat up you should be able to " rebuild" it. Just clean it up. Put all the ball bearings back in and slather it in bearing grease. That's what I did and haven't had a problem.

[Migeta22]

Lol. Is that the picture I put the arrows on???

There is aftermarket strut bearings. Corksport I believe. But don't quote me on that.

If the bearing housing itself isn't beat up you should be able to " rebuild" it. Just clean it up. Put all the ball bearings back in and slather it in bearing grease. That's what I did and haven't had a problem.

lol yah that your picture from way back.

I am trying to figure out if I can just sit the blue end of the spring right onto the bushing and completely remove the smaller spring. That way its complete sealed off and it can't slide out of place.

http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/Migeta22/Sketch_zpsa93ae4df.jpg

http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/Migeta22/SketchRef_zpsacfa4ae6.jpg

[peterm15]

You can remove the helper spring ( the small spring )no problem. Just remove that blue metal spacer in between the 2 springs and sit the part you circled on top of the other springs.
Another member a month or so back had to remove the helper spring to lower the car at all.

[Migeta22]

right, I remember reading that thread and he said the ride was much better. Ever since I've been planning on removing the helper spring myself. do you know if the blue part right onto the bushing? I dont remember trying this the first time I install it.

[peterm15]

What bushing?

If you mean the blue part attached to the strut bearing you will need to keep that. And place it directly on the spring.

[Migeta22]

ohhh ok, I get it now...after looking back at michaelm's problem. no wonder he couldnt get any lower. He installed like I drew it in this picture along with the helper spring. so I guess I didnt need to pop the bearings off the bushings...

http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/Migeta22/Sketch_zpsa93ae4df.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a184/dichaeld/20130207_203253_zps0ee23f83.jpg

[peterm15]

I'm still a little confused but at least I helped. Lol.

[Migeta22]

lol yah, thanx peter, I called budds Mazda and they have tons for $35 each. Gonna grab 2 and replace them both.