I was searching RockAuto.com for some random parts and saw that re-manufactured front upper and lower control arms are being offered. Based on the description, the stock arms have been refreshed with new bushings and more importantly, new ball joints. I could be wrong, but I thought that the ball joints on the FD front arms were not replaceable.

Has anyone purchased these from RockAuto recently? Any feedback? The price seems to be a fair/smoking deal, considering new bushings and ball joints.

 

Have not used them, but the pricing is much better than the $550 form Mazda for the Front Lower CA.

 

The ball joints are not intended to be replaced, but I have drilled out the arms and pressed in new aftermarket ball joints in the past. I'm assuming that's what they are doing.

 

Sounds like we need a guinea pig, J-Poc

 

Do they require a core. I noticed in the picture that "MAZDA" isn't cast on the arms in the normal places. They could potentially be "new" arms. Wonder if the ball joints are serviceable in these ones?

Matt

 

When I attempted to place a mock order, I did not see a requirement for a core.

 

Those arms are all new parts/castings. I have the uppers on my car, no complaints so far. I doubt very much they are made to the same quality as OE, but they should be "good enough" for most.

 

Interesting. If they are solid enough to hold up, then this was a major void in the market needing filled. (Affordable options)

 

So it appears that they are made by Dorman and Mevotech. After a quick search I came upon this thread:

WARNING!!!! Front Lower Control Arms; Dorman vs. Raybestos | DSMtuners

Take is as you will, but I'm under the impression that their quality really varies from product to product, I searched a bunch of other forums and threads and my conclusion is that you might get something as good as OEM or you might get something of poorer quality.

I would use this on my daily beater car, but I would be cautious of using their stuff on my FD. I would rather buy a used control arm in great shape...

 

They use the correct multiaxis style inboard bushings like factory, and fit like they should. My one and only gripe about the part is the clip that holds the ball joint boot on. They went with a phosphate coating instead of zinc, so its already beginning to rust after being on the car for 3 months.

 

Did you happen to take any side by side pictures?

 

Sorry I didn't...just slapped them on one day. I will say the castings indeed do not say mazda on them.

The pictures above are a pretty accurate representation of what I got. Mine were the dorman box parts, but they are probably provided to dorman by mevotech.

The reason why I purchased them was both of my ball joint boots were torn, and had been since I got the car. I also had play in the control arm to body bushings which caused a clunk when the brake pedal was applied. My car is an early model and actually had the pre TSB bushings still in it. (updated parts are identified by a * next to the numbers molded onto the bushing)

 

I literally JUST replaced my front upper A arm bushings and the part number didn't have an "a" in it. Bought them from mazdatrix. Also, no more clunk.

Matt

 

You mean an "A" at the end of the part number to show a revision?

The only way I know to identify the "revised" upper control arm bushings is a star symbol that looks like a large asterisk molded onto the rubber. Not sure if they actually updated the part number for it.

 

I'll look for it the next time I take my suspension apart. I would imagine they're revised parts as the stamped manufacture date (think the red stamp is what that was) reflected a fairly recent date.
Matt

 

+1. Especially the lower CA. Mine are still decent, but it's been a concern as mileage goes up.

 

Anymore feedback on aftermarket arms?

 

Bumping this to share that the lower control arms by mevotech are currently on close-out at rock auto; if anyone is interested. I have no experience with them and have to admit I'm hesitant to use non-OEM for such a critical part but I came across this information and thought I would share.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/me...trol+arm,10401
https://www.rockauto.com/en/parts/me...trol+arm,10401

 

I just ordered a set of upper and lowers. Plan to keep them as a spare set for my personal fd when they are needed but I will report back with pictures and my opinion once I receive them.

 

I ordered the lowers as spares since they're on sale.

 

I tried to purchase them but they won’t ship to California. Give me a break.

 

Same here. Proposition 65 documentation BS.

Isn’t it great to live in California?

 

ship them to a friend that will ship them to you? at that price plus the extra shipping cost it's still a bargain

 

Thanks for sharing.. I ordered mines..

 

I am interested in hearing feedback for these!