will the lower control arms from any other first gen work on my 84 gsl-se? I'm kinda in a bind here and need help fast! I think i fucked up the lower control arm trying to put in ball joints my self. . Any ideas. Like i can get the ball joint in but it will have a little play . . this sucks. Oh i have access to an 83 and an 80 that i could rob parts off from. Will the control arms from them work? thanks.

 

go look at them and measure. i'm not sure. but i bet you can find the answere here
http://www.wankel.net/%7Ekrwright/ca...85_manual.html
thats all models on the 85 year. compare gsl-se was non se's hope that helps

 

Yes, lower control arms in the front are interchangeable between all 1st Gens.

Short reply so you get your answer. Reply back if you want more info,

 

thanks. So everything will bolt up fine? also do any of you do your own ball joints? if so how? i was able to gt the old one out by reallly pounding on her with a hammer. and i was trying to get the new one in by using a puller to pull the ball joint up and it seemed to be working but it proceeded to open up the lower control arm like a tin can. so it has a small hole in it. . 'm not too worried about the hole it's not to large or anything. But i pulled to control arm off and in the process of trying to put the ball joint in i seemed to have stretched to hole so that the ball joint goes in and out too easy. . ? how much force should there be holding the ball joint in? any hel p would be great. thanks.
Dom

 

I don't want to burst your bubble on this task, but many parts suppliers won't even sell the lower control arm without the ball joint factory installed by Mazda - this is due to the extreme forces that are applied at this joint through steering and cornering. You don't want this part to fail.

Mazdatrix offers the LCA with the ball joint installed - AND, the inner control arm bushing for about $130 each, IIRC. When I rebuilt my front end last year, I went with these parts and it took a lot of the hassle out of the install. I wouldn't try to put the press-fit ball joints in myself...

Here you go; http://www.mazdatrix.com/hsteer1.htm = $ 144.09 (left or right, all Gen1's)


Maybe at this point you could drop in a LCA from one of the parts cars if you have to drive the car and order up the completed unit from Mazdatrix. VB has all the parts as well, but was slightly higher, IIRC. HTH,

 

ok thanks for all the info.
Dom

 

The ball joints are removed and installed with a press, even with that the lower arms can be deformed enough to be unsuable. This is not an part to do a hack job on.

If the new joints do not come with a circlip to hold them in place, add a tack weld on 2 sides of the joints, on the top side of the arm, for safety.

 

yea this is a really **** poor design now that i'm looking at it. . oh well. I'm gonna use the lower control arm off from my parts car for now until i order the mazda trix units. Note to self, never try to do ball joints on my seven again. . . lol thanks for all the help
Dom