Control Arm Difference?

[kharris4]

are all protege control arms created equally, or does the MP3 have a different part?

i have an MP3 and one of mine is bent. looking to go to the junk yard for a replacement.

thanks for any help in advance.

 

[CulRidr]

you mean the lateral links, as shown in another thread with someone who has a bent ones? If so they are the same for all 3rd gen Protegs (noone can confirm that the 99-00 ones are the same though). Just make sure you get one from a car which has the same rear brakes as you (they are specific to a car with drums or disks)

 

[kharris4]

sorry for the unclarity. i was actually talking about a front control arm. or at least that's what i've always called it. it's the big piece that the outer tie-rod end goes into. it only moves vertically.

 

[CulRidr]

Ya sorry that was my bad for not clueing in...it is called a control arm; apparently I'm tired this morning... (coffee)
I believe they are still all the same, but I don't know nearly as much about the front control arms as I do about the rear lateral links.
PM metallic36 as she is parting out an MP3, and there are a few other cars being parted out in the FS section which don't damage to the front end.

 

[kharris4]

thanks, i appreciate the info.

 

[zoomin MP3]

try sending TheMAN or bagman1 a PM. They're pretty knowleable when it comes to those specifics. Or post a new thread in the Main Sponsor section under onlinemazdaparts.com

 

[TheMAN]

the MP3 ones are the same as any 01-03 ES and P5 ones... the MSP uses the same s*** also but the trailing links are different/better... you do NOT want any of that 99-00 s***... the bushings are softer and most possibly they are dimensionally a bit different as mazda revised the suspension geometry in 2001

 

[CulRidr]

TheMAN.
Could you elaborate on the MSP trailing links being better? I've been wanting to upgrade mine, but this is the first time I hear about the MSP links being better then stock. Would they even be worth upgrading to? Or should I go with something stiffer with the GTspec style bushings (can't remember the name of that style right now...), VS the AWR style which prevents lateral movement, causing breakage of the bar as has been seen on a few occasions...

Thanks!

 

[kharris4]

have any of you huys ever heard of not being able to push the piston on the rear caliper far enough back in to get new pads on? it's not like the old Lumina e-brake deal is it? or is the piston a little too mushroomed?

never mind that. i found an old thread that mentions taking off a cap from the back and loosening an allen bolt. put the pads in and tighten it up until the hubs won't spin, and back it off a 1/4 turn.

 

[zoomin MP3]

TheMAN.
Could you elaborate on the MSP trailing links being better? I've been wanting to upgrade mine, but this is the first time I hear about the MSP links being better then stock. Would they even be worth upgrading to? Or should I go with something stiffer with the GTspec style bushings (can't remember the name of that style right now...), VS the AWR style which prevents lateral movement, causing breakage of the bar as has been seen on a few occasions...

Thanks!

Yeah, I want to know too. A guy offered me his thinking I wanted those not the lateral arms. Are they different than the MP3's as well?