Bent lateral links (all four!)

[bfretless]

Looks like I'm in for a lateral link replacement job. Took my 2000 ES to get aligned and they said bad news, couldn't do it. This is the only Pro I've owned so I thought the links were supposed to look like this:




They're so evenly bent it looked like factory to me. Anyone have an idea how this could happen, to bend all four the same? Also, any tips for doing the replace? I know I get to drop the subframe.

 

[bikingpro5]

your going to need a new rear sway bar too...

 

[bfretless]

No kidding? That's bent too? Arghhh...

 

[bikingpro5]

you might be better off just buying the OEM stuff from someone parting out and swap everything in.

 

[Joost27]

as for the swaybar, might as well upgrade while doing it. Same could be said for the lateral links...

I am amazed and yet baffled at those pictures...with how much they are bent you would think the trailing arm would be messed up too....

 

[bfretless]

Yeah, I can't figure out what could have done this. I bought the car for $1100 with a salvage title and known front-end damage. Looked like it had hit a pole front and center. I have all that fixed at this point, and thought I was pretty much done with accident repairs. Still think I got a decent deal for a 2000 ES.

Where would be a good place to get upgraded suspension parts? I usually go to Rockauto, have also checked onlinemazdaparts.com, they have the bolts that Rock doesn't carry.

 

[Joost27]

Well it will depend on your plan for the protege. If you do not plan on modding it you should jsut use replacement parts mean to meet OEM size or just use OEM parts. I have two 99-00 rear swaybars sitting in storage and no use for them. So if you want one let em know and I will get pics with signage.

If you plan on modifying the car then you have several options for rear swaybars.
Mazdaspeed Protege Racing Beat 20mm Swaybar - What I run
AWR 19mm & 21.5mm Swaybars
Progress

For lateral links you have four options
OEM
Megan Racing
AWR
and there is/was a vendor on here selling adjustable lateral bar not sure if that is still going on or now.

AWR products can be found on their website awrracing.com
Racing Beat bar can be found used quite frequently on here or possibly still brand new from mazda
Progress is sold by a few of our forum sponsors.
Oem can be had from where you already mentioned - onlinemazdaparts.com

 

[repthemazdas]

iv got all that oem stuff!!!! pm me and ill sell it to you!

 

[bfretless]

Wow, thanks for all the help! It's my daughter's DD so I'll probably just go OEM. I'll PM both of you and take a look in the For Sale section to see what's available.