I'm in the process of detuning my car. Now that I race Spec Miata, the FD won't be seeing much track time. Because of that (along with the fact that I've become a cranky old fart), I've been de-tuning / removing mods - on the suspension in particular. I've been DD my car a lot lately as well.

So I ordered some Mazda Competition bushings for the front Lower Control Arms since I had installed SuperPro poly bushings in that location a few years ago. Mmoconnor and I started pressing them in this last weekend. That is when we discovered that one of the ball joints (drive side) felt a little too tight and hung up slightly compared to the passenger side.

I wound up ordering a brand spanking new driver side Front Lower Control Arm to replace the slightly worn one. In case you ever wondered what a brand new aluminum arm looks like, check it. So smooth and clean.

Those are the old poly bushings sitting next to the control arm in case you are wondering.





Just had to share.

 

i love getting new OEM parts for our cars lol...it just makes you feel good

i felt like this when i got my new OMP lines...they are so pretty and clean loll not for long though!!

 

looks nice, how much did that set you back?

 

Please, just rub it in why don't you!


I wonder what kind of prices we could get if there was some sort of group buy. I've been waiting on Ray to offer a deal on the upper and lower!

 

B-B-B-Baller

 

Dale

 

New parts for a "cranky old fart"???

I'm jealous.

 

x2

 

I bought two new ones 2 years ago. They were $550 for one side and $580 for the other. These ball joints don't last forever and you can't just replace the ball joint. My original had 145K on them.

 

I got them from Mazda Motorsports since I'm a licensed racer. I can't publicly state the price but they were less than $500.

Hopefully will install them this weekend if moconnor is free. He has the press and I want to press in the Mazda Comp bushings.

 

Now you are just rubbing salt in the wound . Not only do you show off your new parts, but you tell us how much cheaper you get them .

I do have a question. If you are returning it to a daily driver, why not just keep the stock bushings in the arms. What is the advantage of having Mazda Comp bushings in a daily driver?

 

Because it's still in his blood..... he can't quite shake the ZoomZoom-ness out of his NYC-luvvin' azz

 

Sometimes a project takes a different path than expected... aka Murphy's Law...


I ordered the Mazda Comp bushings not knowing anything was worn on either LCA. They are lower mileage arms that I got from Ihor 4-5 years ago.

We pressed the Mazda Comp bushings into the good arm before finding the worn ball joint on the other arm. I probably wouldn't have bothered with the Mazda Comp bushings if I had found the worn ball joint first.

Should be cool when done but the expense and time were definitely unexpected - and undesired right now.