Lower control arm

Tiny
COLESMX5
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 MAZDA MIATA
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 103,000 MILES
I hit a curb the other day and now my wheel is at a position I've never seen before. I know for sure my lower control arm is bent and I'm wondering if my axel is too. I would like to do the repairs at home but I'm worried about alignment. Here are the pictures of I have of the car. Any thoughts on what I should do?
Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 AT 1:19 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Hi,

The pictures did not come through. The control arm and axle repair are something that can be done at home however, the alignment is not. That will require an alignment machine.

The pictures will help but it does sound like a control arm issue as those hold the wheel in a specific position. However, the axle will need to be checked to see if it operates.

Here is a guide that explains the symptoms of a bad axle however, if you pull it off, you should be able to move it around the bearings freely. If it binds then you will need to replace it.

Let me know if you can resend the pictures. Thanks

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-cv-axle-joint
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Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 AT 6:53 PM
Tiny
COLESMX5
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  • 6 POSTS
Sorry about the pictures not coming through, I hope it goes through this time. Thank you for your advice! I think I found another thing broken, I think it be a strut brace? I don't really know what that little tube is that broke off.
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Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 AT 7:26 PM
Tiny
COLESMX5
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I looked up the part and it's a sway bar end link. It doesn't look that difficult to replace either. I'm assuming I can replace this all at home and get it towed to get it aligned.
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Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 AT 10:18 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
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Yes. The component I circled is a sway bar end link. Looks like you need that and the lower control arm. I can't make out any other components but clearly you will need to inspect them as you go.

Also, yes you can do all this in the drive way and then as long as the alignment shop is not more than 5-10 miles, I would just drive it. With new components it is going to be close so you won't do any damage in that short distance.
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Sunday, August 4th, 2019 AT 1:49 PM
Tiny
COLESMX5
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  • 6 POSTS
Thank you so much. I have parts in the mail coming Friday. I'll update this post if anything happens afterwards.
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Sunday, August 4th, 2019 AT 2:32 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
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Sounds great. One thing I didn't mention is the tie rod. If this is bent then you will need to change it or they will not be able to align it. Just make sure the joint is tight where it connects to the knuckle and the rod is not bent and you will be good to go.
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Sunday, August 4th, 2019 AT 2:37 PM
Tiny
COLESMX5
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Awesome, thank you! I'll definitely check that.
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Sunday, August 4th, 2019 AT 3:00 PM
Tiny
COLESMX5
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  • 6 POSTS
So the parts came in and after I got under the car starting to take things apart I found a few issues! Looks like the strut is bent at the joint as well as rubbing up against the upper control arm. This just doubled in what I thought was wrong, thank you for your help! I'm passing this off to a real mechanic to tell me everything I can't see.
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Friday, August 9th, 2019 AT 12:57 PM
Tiny
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Thanks for the update. Unfortunately when these things happen it is like an union when you get it apart. Thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Friday, August 9th, 2019 AT 2:43 PM

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