ZeroBanger

anyone have a write up of how to remove and install the rear upper control arms? I want to gauge if I can do this myself. Thanks.

duboisr

This is a simple job , a good monkey can do it . My mechanic replaces the bushings in the upper and lower arms and the toe link with no cursing, no blood .He said easy ,easy .

ZeroBanger

My metal bushings in the control arms are bad, which are a PIA. I plan to istall a new arm but want to know about any links to the removal/install. Thanks.

duboisr

Leave the shock bolted on at the top, tie a string or wire to the spring on the shock . Remove the bolts and brake lines .Do not undo the brake lines, so you will not have to bleed them . Tie the spendle to the string or wire so the antilock sensor wire will not get pulled out .Have the bushings put in and reassemble .If you are near Nashville, call Garfinkle, this is a1/4 day job to do all the bushing on eash side ,not the diff .

ZeroBanger

thanks for that write up, but im not replacing the bushinsgs, Im replacing the entire arm. I need to know how to remove and uninstall the arm. Thanks.

jimlab

He pretty much told you how to do just that.

1. Jack up and support the rear of the car.
2. Remove the rear wheel.
3. Unbolt the rear sway bar link bolt which passes through the shock (17mm, I believe).
4. Support the lower control arm.
5. Unbolt the outer bolt which attaches the upper control arm to the rear knuckle (14mm).
6. At that point, the toe link and lower control arm should support the knuckle pretty well, but as duboisr said, run a wire through the bolt hole of the knuckle to one of the coils of the rear spring to support it and keep it from flopping around.
7. Unbolt the two inner bolts which hold the rear upper control arm in the rear subframe (14mm).
8. Remove the control arm.
9. Reverse the steps to replace.

jimlab

The pillow bushings are $51/ea. from Mazda and both Max Cooper and I have written directions on how to replace them by different means. A new rear upper control arm is several hundred dollars.

duboisr

Garfinkle gets new pillow ball bushings for $ 41 each, ask your dealer for a better discount now you know it can be done .

ZeroBanger

I need several bushings in each. The upper metal bushings and the lower bushing. My mechanic charges $150 for parts and labor for the lower and more for each of the upper. It makes more sense for me to replace the entire arm.