Control Arm (among other things)

[Chr1s]

I've noticed that while driving my front driver side wheel has felt unusual. I jacked up the car to find that the tire is not firm, I can wiggle it, I have to apply a decent amount of force, but I'm not a big person so it can't really be that much lol. I was told that its my front upper control arm bushing, making the control arm loose, which is making the wheel loose. I'm not sure if I can replace the bushing, or if I have to replace the entire control arm? I have a pic and I circled where the control arm is loose.



Would this control arm bushing be the proper replacement for that piece?
Control Arm Bushing

Also, I've noticed that my oil pan is considerably rusty. I was told to get a wire-brush and scrape the top-most rust off, then use some kind of treatment that will neutralize the rust and leave a hard outer coating, but I haven't been able to find such a product at local auto-parts stores (NAPA, Advance, PepBoys), so I was told to buy a quart of oil, and every other week or so crawl under the vehicle and wipe a light coating of oil on the pan. This way, while driving the car, it will kick up dirt and what not that will then stick to the pan, creating an outer coating of....stuff...that will prevent rust as well. Would that actually work?

[yel-low]

That bushing is for the lateral link (do a search on here for the part). The picture of the arm you posted is the "upper link". Both parts go bad eventually. It is easier to just buy the new arms rather than try to press out the old bushing. Labor costs will be the same and buying new arms mean you get the added bonus of new ball joints.

The coating you are talking about is called "rust converter". All major parts stores carry it. It transforms rust into a polymer. Loctite is one of the manufactures.
You loosen up all the flaking rust but don't have to remove it all. Paint the surface and as the converter works it transforms into a hard black coating that will prevent future rusting.

I have used it plenty and it works quite well.

[Chr1s]

That bushing is for the lateral link (do a search on here for the part). The picture of the arm you posted is the "upper link". Both parts go bad eventually. It is easier to just buy the new arms rather than try to press out the old bushing. Labor costs will be the same and buying new arms mean you get the added bonus of new ball joints.

The coating you are talking about is called "rust converter". All major parts stores carry it. It transforms rust into a polymer. Loctite is one of the manufactures.
You loosen up all the flaking rust but don't have to remove it all. Paint the surface and as the converter works it transforms into a hard black coating that will prevent future rusting.

I have used it plenty and it works quite well.[/b]

Yeah, they do seem like they would be a pain to replace. Sorry, I would have searched for them, but I had no idea what they were called. Are there any places you would recommend online? RockAuto doesn't seem to carry them. Unless I'm looking wrong, but I'm pretty sure it's not there. And I'm off to find rust converter as soon as I finish typing!

[voltagenh]

Yeah, they do seem like they would be a pain to replace. Sorry, I would have searched for them, but I had no idea what they were called. Are there any places you would recommend online? RockAuto doesn't seem to carry them. Unless I'm looking wrong, but I'm pretty sure it's not there. And I'm off to find rust converter as soon as I finish typing![/b]

you may want to try your local mazda dealership.

I just bought all 4 lateral links for $345.

roughly 86 ea and since its local no shipping.

just a suggestion.

[Chr1s]

you may want to try your local mazda dealership.

I just bought all 4 lateral links for $345.

roughly 86 ea and since its local no shipping.

just a suggestion.[/b]

Thanks Yel-low you are the man!

[yel-low]

I bought mine from either Rockauto or ebay. I can't remember which right now but they were ~$60 each.

[ken inn]

you may want to try your local mazda dealership.

I just bought all 4 lateral links for $345.

roughly 86 ea and since its local no shipping.

just a suggestion.[/b]

EXCELLENT!!! mazda sugg list price, 79.25. tasca discount price, 54.67. dunno what freight is, but hey, comes to my door, i dont have to drive, waste gas and time. i guess speed costs.

[voltagenh]

Thanks Yel-low you are the man![/b]

um ok i think your welcome.

[Chr1s]

um ok i think your welcome.[/b]

Oh jeez, my bad! (I'm a complete idiot sometimes!) I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you! Voltagenh you're the man as well! I apologize about that mix-up I should have included you both my fault on that one. please don't be mad at me..

[voltagenh]

Oh jeez, my bad! (I'm a complete idiot sometimes!) I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you! Voltagenh you're the man as well! I apologize about that mix-up I should have included you both my fault on that one. please don't be mad at me..[/b]

ah pish no worries at all bud.