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Bonnieman, thanks so much for the info. I zip-tied the bottoms of the boots to the outside of the strut. There’s no way to completely seal the boot to the strut without deforming the boot, so my hope is that the zip tie will at least keep the boot from riding up and will keep out 99% of the dust and dirt while allowing moisture to drain out if any gets in.
The boot does not go up all the way to the top of the strut, so I just pushed it up as far as it would go. There is about two inches of chrome showing. I don’t think this part will ever go into the strut so hopefully it will be fine.
Thanks again for your input.
Alright, so I eventually decided against the Russian-owned, German-quality controlled, Chinese-made parts and thought it would be better to go OEM after all. In part because I managed to find some OEM control arms a heck of a lot cheaper ($87 each plus shipping). And I ended up ordering the lateral links from rockauto.com. I have ordered from them before, they’re good people like you guys. When I get a discount code, I’ll post it here as a thank you.
Swung by HF this morning after dropping my daughter off at school to pick up an Earthquake impact wrench as well. I’ve been wanting one anyway, now I have an actual need for it.
Wish me luck in a week or so when the parts come in.
Alright, so I eventually decided against the Russian-owned, German-quality controlled, Chinese-made parts and thought it would be better to go OEM after all. In part because I managed to find some OEM control arms a heck of a lot cheaper ($87 each plus shipping). And I ended up ordering the lateral links from rockauto.com. I have ordered from them before, they’re good people like you guys. When I get a discount code, I’ll post it here as a thank you.
Swung by HF this morning after dropping my daughter off at school to pick up an Earthquake impact wrench as well. I’ve been wanting one anyway, now I have an actual need for it.
Wish me luck in a week or so when the parts come in.
Thanks for the insight, guys.
I was probably a little hard on the shop. I know they have to make money and feed their families, but I have a family too and being frugal is part of what allows us to lead high-quality lives that don’t chain us to the earning, spending, debt-carrying consumerist treadmill. And also, if a business gives me the “our way or the highway” attitude even for a second, well then the highway it is!
So I think my plan of action will be this: replace the control arms and lateral links, then take the car in for an alignment. (Because an alignment is beyond the ability of the home mechanic, right? Requiring special sensors, computers, and blinky lights?) And then I guess wait and see how the new tires wear after that.
Before I order the parts, can someone tell me if the Febest brand is any good? I can’t find anyone else who makes aftermarket rear control arms for this vehicle and OEM ones are something like $125 a piece. I found these for $45 a piece and free shipping: http://www.amazon.com/C29128300C-Rear-Arm-For-Mazda/dp/B00ET465J8/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1411398950&vehicle=2008-80-2828————1-0&sr=1-1-catcorr&ymm=2008%3Amazda%3A5&keywords=C29128300C#productDetails
The lateral links are easier to find, there are some on rockauto.com and Amazon, OEM is more expensive of course but not obscenely so.
Thanks again!
Thanks for the insight, guys.
I was probably a little hard on the shop. I know they have to make money and feed their families, but I have a family too and being frugal is part of what allows us to lead high-quality lives that don’t chain us to the earning, spending, debt-carrying consumerist treadmill. And also, if a business gives me the “our way or the highway” attitude even for a second, well then the highway it is!
So I think my plan of action will be this: replace the control arms and lateral links, then take the car in for an alignment. (Because an alignment is beyond the ability of the home mechanic, right? Requiring special sensors, computers, and blinky lights?) And then I guess wait and see how the new tires wear after that.
Before I order the parts, can someone tell me if the Febest brand is any good? I can’t find anyone else who makes aftermarket rear control arms for this vehicle and OEM ones are something like $125 a piece. I found these for $45 a piece and free shipping: http://www.amazon.com/C29128300C-Rear-Arm-For-Mazda/dp/B00ET465J8/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1411398950&vehicle=2008-80-2828————1-0&sr=1-1-catcorr&ymm=2008%3Amazda%3A5&keywords=C29128300C#productDetails
The lateral links are easier to find, there are some on rockauto.com and Amazon, OEM is more expensive of course but not obscenely so.
Thanks again!