Front Lower Wishbone Arm, MX5 Mk1

[Dave208]

I am looking to replacing both lower front arms in the near future and having tried a search I can’t find any useful information.

It would appear that replacement arms are no longer available for the Mk1 but they are for the Mk2, courtesy of our usual supplier at a cost of some £135 + another £60 for the bushes.

Then I found these

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wishbone-Suspension-Arm-fits-MAZDA-MX5-Mk2-1-8-Front-Lower-Right-98-to-05-New/333102883277?fits=Model%3AMX-5&hash=item4d8e7aa1cd:g:tX8AAOSwRYNcfcqK

which include bushes and the ball joint for £68 inc p&p.

Now I appreciate that the ARB mount is different on the Mk2, being a single bracket rather than the U shaped bracket on the Mk1 but other than that are there any other dimensional differences etc?

I have read on another forum of an owner fitting them with no problems even using the Mk 1 drop links or one could use Mk2 drop links.

Any thoughts/experience much appreciated.

Dave

[rhino666]

Hi Dave

I cannot comment confidently on fit but firstline are a regular supplier of parts and the aftermarket use their waterpumps on the MX5 as an example.

I would expect the product to be of reasonable quality.

May be worth contacting the company on ebay to see if they can advise.

There is a 15% off offer that you may be privy to on your ebay account that ends tonight - PRICECUT15

Hopefully you will be in a position to take advantage of that.  

 

[Dave208]

Thanks for your thoughts Rhino666, most helpful.
I will drop them a line and thanks also for the heads up on the 15% as I had not seen this.
Dave

[rhino666]

You would think there would be a fair bit of information around about this but not that I can find.

One would hope that the bushes fitted are acceptable quality rubber OE standard. OE from MX5parts or IL Motorsport bushes cost a lot of money, so I wonder where firstline get theirs as not listed separately. 

MX5City list aftermarket control arms for the MK1/MK2 which look very similar to the firstline ones but price somewhat different:-)

They simply advise the use of MK2 drop links to fit to MK1.

This compatability chart from Miata.net indicates the drop link mount is the only difference.

Firstline which includes Borg and Beck sell a huge array of parts. 

[ast]

One of my MX5OC members was the Firstline Manager for the island of Ireland. Generally, Firstline are sourcing from the same suppliers as Mazda, so, for instance, they were getting brake pads from Sumitomo, and reboxing them, same as ADL (Blueprint). As a favour, he got for me a crate of Japan-spec Mazda branded oil filters (bit bigger than the French made filters Mazda used in Europe). But that was then, and things may have changed.

I’m going to mention them again, but I will probably get shot down; consider RockAuto. They are an American parts supplier, and they list several suppliers of the front lower wishbones for the Mk1, from SKP (Skyward Automotive, https://skywardautomotive.com/about-skp, US arm of a Chinese maker, £35, includes bushes) and Mevotech (£62, incldes bushes. Mevotech are “Canadian Engineered”; interestingly, they have included greasing points in their lower arms.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/mazda,1990,mx-5+miata,1.6l+l4,1190876,suspension,control+arm,10401

Shipping to a UK address is between £18 and £27, depending how quick you want it (June 5th or June 10th).

I’ve purchased some large parts from RockAuto, and delivery is efficient.

With any of these after market parts, Firstline, ADL, SKP etc, doubts remain on the quality of the wear parts (might be fine). So alternativel, get some used parts and refurbish them by powdercoating, and genuine Mazda parts. Probably won’t save anything given how much sellers want for used wishbones (anywhere from £25 to 45), but at least you know the quality of the major parts.

[rhino666]

Interestingly the Americans are in a similar situation to us with these front lower control arms. Only the MK2 version seems to be available new so MK2 drop links probably needed. A search on Miata.net would probably confirm.

Looking at ebay.com it is noticable how much less corrosion their used original parts have compared to ours.

In addition to part cost and post there would also be duty payable on the rock auto purchases and if this was not taken at source, the Royal Mail will probably take their fee too.       

[Dave208]

Thanks all, as per Rhino’s suggestion I emailed a few suppliers, interestingly our well known supplier advised me that there is no difference between the Mk1 & 2 parts other than the ARB bracket and that as I thought the drop link can be bolted directly to it.
Dave

[Dave208]

Well twelve months on and Bluebell (the car) has gone from this

to this

and this

So far it all fits including the standard Mk1 drop links

I am just finishing off the passenger side now having replaced the steering rack boots, a broken spring and refreshed the front and rear wheel arches. Just got to let it all settle then torque everything up and have a stab at setting the camber bolts.When the lockdown is over I will take it for a proper setup.

Dave