Control Arm

[Gibson486]

My car needs the control arm replaced. Was going to buy one on Rockauto...then I saw that there is also an adjustable one. It cost double the price, but it comes with a lifetime warranty (it's by Moog). Is this worth double the price? When I looked at Autozone and Advanced Auto, they do not sell the OEM replacement version, just the adjustable version...Would the adjustable be better? Why would you need to adjust it? There is reference to camber, so I am guessing that it is needed if you want you tires aligned differently?

 

[Vette73]

Whats the year make and model. This the Maxda3?

 

[Gibson486]

Whats the year make and model. This the Maxda3?

yes.

 

[Vette73]

So this is the rear control arm?

Looks like its only another $20-30 for a adjustable (there are other adjustable ones then Moog). If you plan on keeping the car a long time and/or have had issues in the rear I would get it. The reason one would need it is if the car was in a accident, you lowwered it, etc... so this can help a car get aligned back up when before it may not have or required more costly work.

$69 vs $41 is the 2 lowwest priced I can find of each at RA

 

[Gibson486]

so, I am guessing that, out of the box, it should not have to be adjusted if I am not doing mods?

 

[JulesMaximus]

so, I am guessing that, out of the box, it should not have to be adjusted if I am not doing mods?

Well, you'll need to have the vehicle aligned after you install the new control arm...that's when it would be adjusted.

 

[Vette73]

Yea if you need to replace the control arms then you probable need to get it aligned.

 

[alkemyst]

You should get an alignment with a control arm replacement...adjustable parts almost always need it out of the box.

You can 'eyeball' it to the old part to limp there.

 

[CraigRT]

Adjustable control arm??
Post a link or something.

If you just replace the control arm with a standard control arm (do this) you will not need an alignment.

Replacing struts, and tie rods will effect alignment... I really can't see why a control arm would affect your alignment (especially a standard style)

I've replaced LCA's before and not done a alignment as the car tracked the same afterwards.

 

[Gibson486]

Adjustable control arm??
Post a link or something.

If you just replace the control arm with a standard control arm (do this) you will not need an alignment.

Replacing struts, and tie rods will effect alignment... I really can't see why a control arm would affect your alignment (especially a standard style)

I've replaced LCA's before and not done a alignment as the car tracked the same afterwards.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=994055

 

[CraigRT]

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=994055

Is this the one you said was made by MOOG or whatever?
I would just go with a standard LCA, then you can for sure not do an alignment. What is the benefit of the adjustable one? Installation??

 

[Gibson486]

Is this the one you said was made by MOOG or whatever?
I would just go with a standard LCA, then you can for sure not do an alignment. What is the benefit of the adjustable one? Installation??

similar idea. probably different brand, but just rebadged....

As for pros, some people at the Mazda forums claim that it eliminates the wheel hop (go over bump and the rear shifts left or right). That said, I am kind of skeptical because they have never shown any real reviews and some of the people in the forum have no idea what they are talking about.

 

[Vette73]

similar idea. probably different brand, but just rebadged....

As for pros, some people at the Mazda forums claim that it eliminates the wheel hop (go over bump and the rear shifts left or right). That said, I am kind of skeptical because they have never shown any real reviews and some of the people in the forum have no idea what they are talking about.

I can answer that. It should have little to nothing to do/help with wheel hop.
It just adjust so a car that has problems getting aligned can get setup to the correct specs. Once you adjust it you lock it down so there is no active ajustment as you drive.

 

[Gibson486]

I can answer that. It should have little to nothing to do/help with wheel hop.
It just adjust so a car that has problems getting aligned can get setup to the correct specs. Once you adjust it you lock it down so there is no active ajustment as you drive.

Good. In that case, I'll just get the OEM or OEM like version. Maybe the wheel hop is due to the struts wearing out?

 

[Vette73]

Good. In that case, I'll just get the OEM or OEM like version. Maybe the wheel hop is due to the struts wearing out?

Rear has shocks, and pretty easy to replace what the part I see. Front has struts and harder to replace.

 

[LordMorpheus]

Moog is worth the premium. Moog is the only non-OEM brand I would put in my car's suspension.

 

[CraigRT]

Good. In that case, I'll just get the OEM or OEM like version. Maybe the wheel hop is due to the struts wearing out?

It can be a number of things.
Motor mounts are usually the most common among any of the cars I've ever dealt with.

 

[AMCRambler]

You're doing both sides right? I'm pretty sure you want to do them both if you have to replace one. Especially if you're buying a different type that is adjustable. It might be less of an issue since it's the rear one but if it were my car I'd want new ones on both sides not just one. That way they will wear the same and not frig up the alignment.

Why do you need a new LCA? Are the bushings shot?

 

[Gibson486]

You're doing both sides right? I'm pretty sure you want to do them both if you have to replace one. Especially if you're buying a different type that is adjustable. It might be less of an issue since it's the rear one but if it were my car I'd want new ones on both sides not just one. That way they will wear the same and not frig up the alignment.

Why do you need a new LCA? Are the bushings shot?

if I were to get the adjustable ones, yeah, i would do both. However, I think I may just stick to the non adjustable.

Yes, the bushings are shot.