Suspension / Control Arms

[Sappo569]

Ok so I need the technical breakdown help here.

Last service I had with Mazda, they noted my Front/Right lower control arm was 'seperating from the metal' is how the tech worded it, and advised I have it replaced within the next few months.

I assume if you change 1 control arm, it is best to change both sides at the same time?

Also are the upper/lower arms usually a package, or seperate?

Would a mechanic charge an arm and a leg for this part, am I best to find it myself online and have him put it in?


On a similar topic is the overall suspension, as it is a '10 MS3 it has always been a pretty rough ride (had 80,000k when I bought it) , but lately it has been VERY noticable (tossing me around the car on bumps)

Is it recommended to replace shocks/struts/springs all in one go... or just the part that is worn out?

I was going to look at lowering it etc down the road, but if a part needs replacing now I might as well do everything right?



Forgive me if I got one or two of the terms wrong for the suspension parts, this is all pretty new stuff to me :)

I was planning on just calling up the highly recommended Jimmy at Street and having him do everything, haven't been to see him with the car yet but read nothing but rave reviews

Thanks for the help!

[r4mi5awi]

Right. Better to replace parts together, makes financial sense to save on labour costs than paying each separate time.

Other members may know more on what you can get away with.

I'm waiting for the day my shocks blow so I can get kw's LOL

[Sappo569]

Well, after some digging I went ahead and ordered both lower control arms off ebay brand new, $100 / peice

Which seems to be the going price, even salvage lower control arms for the MS3 are $100!

I was hoping they would be more like $30-50 a peice, like the regular Mazda 3's are


Still searching for the right price on the rest of the suspension gear... everyone seems to be having deals on the koni products right now.

[CelestSpeed3]

Make sure you got 2010 Arms, they are different from the previous gen. Also the speed arms have the telemetry on the driver side. The base model arms don't have it.

If Jimmy changes them for you, I'd like to buy the old arms off of you for some prototyping.

[Sappo569]

Make sure you got 2010 Arms, they are different from the previous gen. Also the speed arms have the telemetry on the driver side. The base model arms don't have it.

If Jimmy changes them for you, I'd like to buy the old arms off of you for some prototyping.

Well, now thats a tricky one

The page I ordered says :

COMPATIBILITY

This Front Right Hand Lower Control Arm will fit for the following vehicles:

MAZDA 3 2010
MAZDA 3 2011

Also says it fits on the MS3, but nothing about telemetry? You've lost me there :)

Yeah I think I will be calling Jimmy Saturday or Monday to see when I can come by... so consider the old arms yours


:edit:

Heres the link from Ebay

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/FRONT-RIGHT-LOWER-CONTROL-ARM-MAZDA-3-2010-2011-/170782492361#ht_1731wt_1397

Did I do wrong..? I can still cancel it before it ships out :)

[MajesticBlueNTO]

Well, now thats a tricky one

The page I ordered says :

COMPATIBILITY

This Front Right Hand Lower Control Arm will fit for the following vehicles:

MAZDA 3 2010
MAZDA 3 2011

Also says it fits on the MS3, but nothing about telemetry? You've lost me there :)

Yeah I think I will be calling Jimmy Saturday or Monday to see when I can come by... so consider the old arms yours


:edit:

Heres the link from Ebay

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/FRONT-RIGHT-LOWER-CONTROL-ARM-MAZDA-3-2010-2011-/170782492361#ht_1731wt_1397

Did I do wrong..? I can still cancel it before it ships out :)

Here's the one for the 2010+ Speed3 - Part Number B39D34300 (http://www.jimellismazdaparts.com/products/Mazda/2010/Mazda-3/ARM-RIGHT-R--LOWER/9898600/B39D34300A.html) ... you can tell by the 2300 Product Application Notes (2.3L engine)

the one you got, based on the part number in the ebay link, is for the 2010+ regular 3 (http://www.jimellismazdaparts.com/products/ARM-RIGHT-R--LOWER/9898670/BBM234300A.html) ...you can tell by the 2000 and 2500 (2.0L and 2.5L engine) in the Product Application Notes

Why not just get the OEM parts from the dealer? The US pricing is fairly close to Canadian pricing and, for the $60-70 difference, you know you're getting a part that's guaranteed to fit.

[Sappo569]

I am emailing the seller now about it....

Why would they list the part as fitting, unless they just mean 'fitting' but not 100% replacement?

"Well it fits don't it? Just a little woobly"

[CelestSpeed3]

They will fit and you can drive the car. The telemetry just won't be working. You could always weld it on but better to get the OEM style arm.


Edit: looks like the telemetry arm bolts up to the control arm. You should be fine.

[Sappo569]

They will fit and you can drive the car. The telemetry just won't be working. You could always weld it on but better to get the OEM style arm.


Edit: looks like the telemetry arm bolts up to the control arm. You should be fine.

Phew... The guy didn't reply to my question and sent a shipping confirmation instead :bang

At any rate hopefully they arrive quickly, and I can get them installed next week...

After talking to Rick @ garage16 it appears I'll be going the route of Koni Yellows with Spax springs