Trailing Arms
- Thread starter spicyprotevo
- Start date
- :
- Michigan
- :
- GenPu VRM MS3
thank you!!! 
woot 1st on the list!
woot 1st on the list!- :
- 99 protege
dang it i wanted the cage to be first!!! mybe we need to do both so gt spec will take us serious and plus wen they see the cash they will love it and mite do other GB..
- :
- 99 protege
yea but ya never know but i guess we can wait 
lol... i just want a cage bad...
lol... i just want a cage bad...- :
- Michigan
- :
- GenPu VRM MS3
I think starting with something smaller will show GT Spec that we're still an interested group. So that when we do decide to get something larger it wont be as difficult, or that they'll be more willing/into helping us get the trunk cage.
- :
- 99 protege
understandable!!! ill just have to wait
ill just have to wait I have the AWR on my protege, been on for about 6 months or so and the paint (i'm guessing that's what it is, i don't think they are power-coated) right at the welds have peeled off already and is starting to rust a little bit...
so i'm not really a fan of that to say the least...that means i have to scuff and repaint that before winter to protect more...
I have no problem with a tubular design, i believe it to be stronger, but where there are welds involved, your item is only as strong as the quality of the welds and how well they are protected, that's where they break.
Whether it be a tubular, box, I, or X frame design, it won't matter (well, it will for stiffness, but trust me, mine are very stiff, especially with the urethane bushings) if the welds are not the best...
So for that reason, i would recommend a different company from which you order from than AWR, regarding their trailing arms that is.
My .02 cents, but it's what's I've experienced so far, i'm sure it'll take about 3-5 year for them to rust and break, IF... IF they do.
so i'm not really a fan of that to say the least...that means i have to scuff and repaint that before winter to protect more...
I have no problem with a tubular design, i believe it to be stronger, but where there are welds involved, your item is only as strong as the quality of the welds and how well they are protected, that's where they break.
Whether it be a tubular, box, I, or X frame design, it won't matter (well, it will for stiffness, but trust me, mine are very stiff, especially with the urethane bushings) if the welds are not the best...
So for that reason, i would recommend a different company from which you order from than AWR, regarding their trailing arms that is.
My .02 cents, but it's what's I've experienced so far, i'm sure it'll take about 3-5 year for them to rust and break, IF... IF they do.
ive been running a set of AWR trailing links on my pgt since 05. and there still holding strong. i installed a set of the orange GTspec one's on cityracers car like 3 years ago. and dug those also. but personally, id go with the AWR's for any of my personal vehicles. there steel which i like compared to the gtspec aluminum ones. but thats just me.
BrianGT3076
Member
- :
- 2009 Mazda Mazdaspeed3
Blue 2 shims, and dont forget the blinker fluid
- :
- -- 23 CX-5 --
I have had no issues with the AWRs...mostly just want to match the gtspec fr stb & k brace.
bikingpro5
Member
- :
- 03 Protege5
same reason i looked and waited for my GT SPEC arms. when i finally saw a set FS i had to have them to finish off the pieces.
markmdz89hatch
Member
- :
- '02 ES
so since we're talking about these arms, can anyone definitely say if the GT Spec and AWR are better than the Megan? Anyone have pics of their AWR, GT or Megan arms installed on their Pro?
Unless someone can point out a very clear difference in quality, durability, function, etc between the Megan's and any other brand, I can't see why I wouldn't just go Megan.
I can get both links and the arms (6 bars total) for just over $300 shipped. Seems like a sweet deal to me, but I refuse to blow the cash on junk product if it really is that.
Please, all opinions matter here. If you have any of them installed, please post how long you've had them, if it's just on your DD, a track car, DD w/ Auto-x, or whatever, and how long they've been on. ...also, the pic especially if you've had them for any extended period of time to see how the finishes hold up.
Unless someone can point out a very clear difference in quality, durability, function, etc between the Megan's and any other brand, I can't see why I wouldn't just go Megan.
I can get both links and the arms (6 bars total) for just over $300 shipped. Seems like a sweet deal to me, but I refuse to blow the cash on junk product if it really is that.
Please, all opinions matter here. If you have any of them installed, please post how long you've had them, if it's just on your DD, a track car, DD w/ Auto-x, or whatever, and how long they've been on. ...also, the pic especially if you've had them for any extended period of time to see how the finishes hold up.
ok, I was lucky enough to have both sets, AWR and GT Spec, in my hands for comparison. I didnt take pics though.
What I found imo, was the AWR's were much stiffer simply because of the bushing design. When holding the GT Spec's, I noticed I could flex the bushings quite easily. The AWR's didnt flex at all. So this would lead me to believe the AWR's are a bit beefier with less flex. However, the GT Specs are much lighter in weight.
If you look at the 2 bushing designs, you will notice the AWR's bushings are filled in more than the GT's. If that makes sense. lol
As far as the Megans, I feel these will be very close to GT Specs. Looks like a similar bushing design. But I have not been able to actually see these in person. The bushings dont look like they're urathane, looks like rubber to me, I could be wrong of course.
just my .02$
AWR:
GT:
Megan:
annnndddd heres another one just to confuse you guys even more. lololo
these look like they're decent.
What I found imo, was the AWR's were much stiffer simply because of the bushing design. When holding the GT Spec's, I noticed I could flex the bushings quite easily. The AWR's didnt flex at all. So this would lead me to believe the AWR's are a bit beefier with less flex. However, the GT Specs are much lighter in weight.
If you look at the 2 bushing designs, you will notice the AWR's bushings are filled in more than the GT's. If that makes sense. lol
As far as the Megans, I feel these will be very close to GT Specs. Looks like a similar bushing design. But I have not been able to actually see these in person. The bushings dont look like they're urathane, looks like rubber to me, I could be wrong of course.
just my .02$
AWR:
GT:
Megan:
annnndddd heres another one just to confuse you guys even more. lololo
these look like they're decent.
markmdz89hatch
Member
- :
- '02 ES
good info. thank you o.g.
As for the king6, thank for for that pic. Looks like those can be had for about $110+shipping, which includes poly bushings, that looks like one hell of a decent deal.
I really want to see any of these bars installed. Only good pics I can find of the AWR's installed, usually are old pics and include a broken weld. I'm sure that's been fixed since, I'm just saying I only seem to find pics of busted ones.
As for the king6, thank for for that pic. Looks like those can be had for about $110+shipping, which includes poly bushings, that looks like one hell of a decent deal.
I really want to see any of these bars installed. Only good pics I can find of the AWR's installed, usually are old pics and include a broken weld. I'm sure that's been fixed since, I'm just saying I only seem to find pics of busted ones.
markmdz89hatch
Member
- :
- '02 ES
if you feel like it.
...and just to stir the pot a bit more, it looks like the beck-arnley oem replacement trailing arms use square stock as well. ...and to be honest, based on the pics from RockAuto, I can't see much difference between these and the Megan's other than color. Anyone try these?
..oh, and price too. They're only $24.79 per side ($49.58 for the pair) + shipping.
...and just to stir the pot a bit more, it looks like the beck-arnley oem replacement trailing arms use square stock as well. ...and to be honest, based on the pics from RockAuto, I can't see much difference between these and the Megan's other than color. Anyone try these?
..oh, and price too. They're only $24.79 per side ($49.58 for the pair) + shipping.
bikingpro5
Member
- :
- 03 Protege5
i currently have the GT SPEC arms on the car, i had a set of megans here and they were much heavier. IMO the bushings were the same for both.
not my pics i have the new blue arms.
not my pics i have the new blue arms.
markmdz89hatch
Member
- :
- '02 ES
AAC?
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...Build-Thread&p=5636906&viewfull=1#post5636906
I'm loving the heim joints, just don't think they'd hold up all that well for a DD that gets exposed [regularly] to snow, salt, serious road debris, etc.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...Build-Thread&p=5636906&viewfull=1#post5636906
I'm loving the heim joints, just don't think they'd hold up all that well for a DD that gets exposed [regularly] to snow, salt, serious road debris, etc.
bikingpro5
Member
- :
- 03 Protege5
i was told a while ago that heim joint where i live(east coast, salt, sand, wet, snow) do not last long at all before they start making noise and wear out faster. if your just upgrading your daily drive and don't plan on adjusting the suspension often, running larger wheels/crazy offsets or driving it hard on the track/auto-x i would just get a good non adjustable option. Less parts to wear out and less things to go wrong.
