Miata Front Suspension Rebuild - Control arms, bushings, ball joints & front hub

[@johnzouboulakis3240]

Well done sir! Very clean, organized and to the point.

[@wils_builds]

@@johnzouboulakis3240 thanks! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@project_ij]

quick and no bs, very nice

[@wils_builds]

Thanks!

[@goldsquadron]

So helpful, thorough, to the point. Saved me a few times already while doing mine. Thank you.

[@wils_builds]

@@goldsquadron thank you! Glad my vid was helpful!

[@siroccowind736]

Glad I saw you vid. After seeing you do the bushings, I just bought the upper and lower control arms new with the bushing already installed. I don't need that aggravation. One other thing I've noticed, the upper and lower control arms are cheap, but the rear is another story. For those I probably would just replace the bushings.

[@wils_builds]

@@siroccowind736 it’s definitely a tedious, and tiring process to put new bushings. If I had to do it again id just buy arms and call it a day haha

[@travismorgan3252]

If it's not already been pointed out, you don't have to remove the caliper from the bracket. You can just remove the bracket bolts, and the whole assembly will come off together.

[@wils_builds]

Thanks, I know I didn't have to but sometimes the pads can come loose and fall out of the bracket if you just take the the whole bracket. You would have to remove the caliper from the bracket to easily slide the pads back in. Both ways works though

[@salami99]

loved this video man. considering getting an NA

[@wils_builds]

Thanks for the encouragement! Definitely should! They’re great cars that are easy to work on 👍

[@andyscott0]

Great job, great camera work and editing, I like how concise it is with no BS, I'm going to do the same job myself over next couple of weeks, how many hours to you think this job would take ??

[@wils_builds]

Thanks dude! Appreciate the feedback 🤙. This job took much longer than I expected. The upper arm bolt took a solid hour each side to get out. The bushings took up a lot of time going to the store to trying the DIY method then to the part store to rent a press. Paint also took up a lot of time. Also waiting for parts and needing to order unexpected parts like replacing my bent lower arms. Here's an estimate of each process. I just worked on it here and there every few days when I had time. Its a project so no rush. Estimates for both sides combined. Disassembly : 2.5 - 3.0 Bushings: 1.0 - 1.5 Paint/Sanding: 2.0 Assembly: 1.5 - 2.0 Total - 6.5 - 8.5 Hours

[@RalphColmar]

Nice clean back plate ✌

[@wils_builds]

Thanks!

[@Greenie161]

Hey, this is one of the easiest to understand suspension videos I've seen so thank you for that! What kind of impact wrench is that?

[@wils_builds]

Thanks dude! Glad you found it helpful. I have a Makita impact. Does the job and the battery last a long time

[@RichardMorrey-l7c]

How much difference did it make in ride quality?

[@wils_builds]

It should make the front end feel brand new. But I haven't driven it yet since there are still many things to fix on the car. The car is almost ready now so I'll provide some feedback when I finally drive it

[@boughtamiata]

Great job, dude! Appreciate the thorough content.

[@wils_builds]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful and hope you enjoyed the vid!

[@LuisRamirez-y3k]

When removing the upper control arm bolt once you couldn’t hammer it anymore what did you use to continue extracting the bolt?

[@wils_builds]

I just kept turning the bolt counter clockwise until it fully came out. It took a while. Probably 15 mins. Couldn’t fit my impact in there so had to do it by hand. Really pain

[@LuisRamirez-y3k]

Tell me about it was having trouble until I stumbled across your video appreciate the help

[@wils_builds]

@@LuisRamirez-y3k no worries dude 🤙 glad it helped and hope your install goes well

[@themanny4089]

were can i find all the bolts and nuts? planning on doing this on my miata

[@wils_builds]

@@themanny4089 I have the part numbers in the description. You can order them from Mazda or from various Miata tuners

[@jalopy2472]

Why not replace the lower arms with one from mevotech instead of going through the trouble of pressing in and out all of the bushings?

[@wils_builds]

That would have cost more since I was replacing the bushings with performance bushing from IL Motorsports

[@montymole6002]

How much did this cost? Minus the LCA’s, looking into rebuilding my NA

[@wils_builds]

About 250 each side without the lowers and about 500 total. If you include the lowers, ball joint, and lower bushings then it was about 750

[@JesusOffline]

Amazing video man, thanks for putting all the parts in the description. If you dont mind saying, what lubricant did you use for the bushings?

[@wils_builds]

I used P&S interior cleaner. Do not use grease if you installing rubber bushings since it will cause squeaking

[@Ruby_the_NA_Miata]

Are you going to be doing a rear suspension rebuild?

[@wils_builds]

I will eventually haha one thing at a time

[@educationalexcellence-s1j]

are you using an impact drill or impact wrench

[@wils_builds]

I’m using an impact wrench

[@tung973]

Nice one! Will you also rebuild rear suspension?

[@wils_builds]

I probably will eventually 🤙

[@mikemikeyee]

So fresh

[@wils_builds]

Thanks!

[@airsoftak1994]

Great video. How do you like those IL motorsport bushes?

[@wils_builds]

Haven’t been able to try them yet. The car is still on jackstands while I finish up a few things before going to the dyno. Progress has been slow lately since it’s really cold outside

[@donatinghorsepower5100]

Nice video! I will have to do this to my 90 Miata later this 2023. Thankfully I have pullers and a press at my shop if I need them for the bushing replacements. Also, for commenting on my video, have a subscribe.

[@wils_builds]

A press definitely would be nice. I did try a press that my friend had but we couldn't center the lower arms on the press. It wasn't too hard with the ball joint press though

[@LewisFoster2024]

Why do you need to jack the suspension up to torque the upper arm?

[@wils_builds]

I've read online that its good to put some load on the suspension when torqueing suspension bolts

[@jakedougherty6000]

You actually do not need to weld the uppercontrol arm balljoint when replacing it on a stock arm. It depends on who you bought it from, but the ones from Supermiata/949 do not need anything special. Just use the c clip that it comes with, just got mone done

[@wils_builds]

Yeah it’s not necessary to weld it but many do for extra insurance since the hole can expand when pressing out an old ball joint. I’m sure just a c clip would probably be fine though

[@iJefferman]

Great stuff! Good luck on the build

[@wils_builds]

Thanks! Tryna make time for it

[@nickskes6267]

Rough? Thats not too bad tbf, Nice job either way!

[@wils_builds]

Yeah, its wasn't too bad haha but definitely nice to replace everything and add a little performance too

[@Tahiz21]

how many of each bolt did you need brand new?

[@wils_builds]

Hi, I bought two of each bolt since I replaced both sides.

[@jackwiegmann]

Would you be able to list out each bolt quantity with part numbers for me and other viewers? Thank you for the video!

[@wils_builds]

@@jackwiegmann I updated the description to include the quantity of each bolt and nut I used. I hope it helps!

[@Jronesfpv]

new control arms come with bushines usually.. and theyre like 40 bucks

[@wils_builds]

I put in IL Motorsport bushing which are stiffer than the OEM bushings

[@zanelonsdale3570]

Did you do your own alignment or does replacing the control arms not change that?

[@wils_builds]

I tried to get the alignment bolts as closes as I could to what it was before. I made a mark with a paint pen where the cam bolts were before. I didn't get an alignment yet. Still a lot of work to do haha

[@dielaughing73]

​​@@wils_buildsbest to get the alignment shop to loosen and re-torque all the control arm bolts on the hoist so there's no preload on them at ride height. It's hard/impossible to get right on stands or crawling under the car.

[@wils_builds]

@@dielaughing73 yeah I know. Luckily my alignment shop is only a mile away. But still finishing up other stuff before I take it there

[@dielaughing73]

@@wils_builds I figured you knew that, just wanted it there for any other viewers. I tried to clock my bearings on jack stands and it made my ride height a disaster. Glad to hear the build is nearing completion!

[@robertosoto8500]

What year is this Miata. Cause mines doesn’t have abs

[@wils_builds]

@@robertosoto8500 I have a 95 M. You can just get non ABD hubs

[@robertosoto8500]

@ thanks for the answer back. Mines is 2003 lol

[@posford]

Hi can i replace in my nb miata only the rubber in the ball joints ?

[@wils_builds]

Not sure if the NB is the same.

[@posford]

@wils_builds tnx, if we talking rubber .., I'm looking like crazy the oring that sits between the heater core to the pipe, done anybody know part number or something..?

[@wils_builds]

@@posford Not sure. I have not replaced the heater core before.

[@posford]

@@wils_builds tnx

[@gtgeek]

What did it fix? Smoother / less vibrations over bumps?

[@wils_builds]

I replaced many worn out parts on my project car. I'm restoring the car little by little. The car isn't driving yet but I hope it will be a blast once its done!

[@gtgeek]

@@wils_builds do you know if the hardware would be the same for NB?

[@wils_builds]

@@gtgeek I believe the hardware should be compatible since the NA/NB suspension is pretty much the same. I would check out some dealerships and review their parts diagrams if you need to confirm. I got my bolts from this Mazda dealer. www.jimellismazdaparts.com/cars/Mazda/0/Miata/car-parts.html They have lots of detailed diagrams. Its a great resource. Hope this helps!

[@bodhivanbrussel]

Is it the same on a Na and Nb?

[@wils_builds]

I believe it should be the same. The NB have different lower control arms. But definitely do your own research to confirm 👍

[@jtv3935]

Thank you

[@wils_builds]

Thank you for watching 🤙

[@magicwaffl3z]

Such a great video man, I'm gonna have to do this eventually on my nb

[@wils_builds]

Good luck on the refresh! Very satisfying once it’s dobe

[@iancarrese1231]

Great video! Liked and subscribed!

[@wils_builds]

Thanks for the sub! Appreciate the support!

[@nathanhathcock7049]

Just skipping over how to set the camber bolts on the lower control arm.

[@wils_builds]

I did not set camber and caster since I’m going to get it professionally aligned. But for those that are wondering. I made a mark on the subframe and used the mark to put alignment back to where it was set before the install.