Lower Control Arm Required!

[Sen-Dog]

Just busted up my lower control arm going over a gutter, and tried bangin it back into place (yeah I know I'm a noob :lol but to no avail. Took it to an exhaust place who heated it and bent it 'kinda' into place so its sorta straight, but still some positive camber and toe in on the front left only.

As a result, I'm now in the market for a lower control arm (the one with a ball joint) for a BJ model 00 323 Astina. Does anybody know any wreckers that specialise in Mazda parts? Mazda wants $470 for this part, and a Ford wrecker wants $220 for the corresponding Laser part.

Thanks in advance!

[pr1mo]

how hard would it be to custom make something like this? ball joints etc are commonly found in ball bearing shops. being a relativley low tech part i cant see it being too much of a headache. someone please correct me if what im saying is wrong

cheers mike

[Sen-Dog]

I think you 'could' make one, but the shape and design of it has to pretty much be exactly, as it basically dictates what arc the steering goes in as well as holds the whole wheel in a straight line (I think, my technical knowledge isn't too great)

I tried bangin it back to place, and after that got it welded back to what 'seemed' close enough to the real thing (probably about half a cm off), and it still has a fair bit of toe in and positive camber on the affected wheel

Net result is full lock is whacked, the car keeps creepin to the right and any turn to the right causes a bit of weird noise. The affected ball joint has also gone wonky so it clicks and cracks when its being rotated around

[Cosmo Dude]

Try the good folk at Allmaz (Clayton Rd, Clayton), I've found that if they don't have it then you gotta go Mazda and pay the $$$
Tell 'em Rod sent you. (wont save you any money but gets me some brownie points ).

Rod

[Sen-Dog]

Thanks Cosmo Dude, I'll try them tomorrow and post any updates