Is it the Arm or the Toe
 

Sup fellas, i'm having an issue when i'm driving. When i'm driving in lower gears i hear a loud bang when i hesitate. I had a flat tire and my mech told me that the upper bushing (i'm assuming the toe) had a lot of play and that it should be replaced soon. Well the next day i'm driving and i hear loud bangs left and right. I put the car inside my garage and i remove both rear wheels and to my surprise i see that the boot is a little worn and i have excessive play on the upper bushing. I don't think is the control arm... Any comments...

I believe these are the bushings your looking at.

http://mazdatrix.com/getprice.asp?partnum=26-2200-FB01

http://mazdatrix.com/getprice.asp?partnum=26-2300-FB01

also check the camber links.

It doesn't have have any pics. Is that the part that i need? it would be so much easier if it had a pic...

That driveaxle boot is gone, you probably need a new axle shaft.

Banging is usually the diff mount it would be hard to tell unless you are more descriptive though.

I'm going to take a look at the Diff mount and see. Yeah that boot is gone but i don't think is the axle. It only has play on the upper bushing. When i move it i can see that the bushing is gone and i can hear a little noise of the metal hitting each other. The other side does not have this problem. I'm going to take a look at the mounts and take some pics... thanks. For now i'm going to order the upper bushing from mazdatrix and keep on investigating.

i think the one on mazdatrix's site is the control arm bushing, the bushing you are speaking of is only available through mazda.

yeah i think that you are right. MazdaTrix told me that i'm missing a plastic washer, and that is the reason why i have a lot of play in that wheel. I took a look at the other side and that's what it is. I am going to call Mazdatrix to see if they carry it, if not i'm going to take a long trip to the mazda dealer to order that damn thing... I just wonder, how in the hell did that damn thing broke off!!!! anyways i attached a picture of both sides so you can see...

I replaced the plastic washter but i still have play there... i'm thinking now that it is a bearing... i called jim he also told me that it might be the bearing... I'm going to try to do it myself... I'll post the pics i also found another boot for the half-shaft... let's see how it works...

How many miles are on the car? You might as well go ahead and change both pillowballs,dtss,control arm, and subframe/diff mounts on both sides, as well as wheel bearings.

You'll love yourself for replacing them anyway.

Shit, it's really kicking my ass right now... i'm not really loving myself but sure is fun... :D... i ordered the part from mazda it was a plastic washer that was missing, and that was the reason why i had so much play, but after i replaced it i still had a little play, very little so i haven't taken the car out yet to drive... I call Jim (JPR) and i explained to him what the deal is and he said that it probably is the ball bearing. So i'm working on getting the wheel bearing out and i have already broken the breaker bar (I'm taking it to advance auto parts since it is life time). After i get the new one tomorrow i'm going back to work.

My car was a N/A GXL and i changed the whole rear, and put in a T2 in it. I don't know how many miles in it or anything, but i will rebuild it eventually.

I'll post pics of the broken tools tomorrow or something.

Is there any mayor difference between the halfshaft of the N/A and the T2? i found one that is in good shape (meaning the boots) and will probably replace it, but want to make sure that the one i'm putting on will work fine. I think the one i found is from my N/A.

Thanks...

i dont think they are the same, but you can buy the boot by itself.

cant use the n/a halfshaft on the t2 diff. i just yesterday did a comparison and there is like a 1/4 inch difference on the mounting plate of the halfshaft. and if you compare the n/a with the t2, the t2 is beefier.

peace

Ok, i'm sooort of o stuck here... so i got the half shaft half way out and it is not coming out... i'm trying to find a way to get it out but it seems to be stuck between the strut and the stabilizer bar... Do i have to take out the strut or play with it for it to come out? any comments please...

You need to take the hub off and pull the axle through the control arm.

Oh, ok so i'll have to take out the whole hub? i thought that i was going to be able by just taking out rotor and that's all... I'll try that... thanks...

It's 3 bolts, This is also a good time to install some DTSS eliminators.

I got it out, i losened out the strut and took the arm out. I'll post a pic of the bent cap at the end of the shaft later on. I'm going to try to get a new one tomorrow from Mazda...