expo1

Looking again over the letter Tommy posted I wonder why Mazda revised the lower control arms (new part #)? There wasn’t any changes in the design of the front suspension so why the new parts?

zoom44

new part number can and usually does, especially in cases like this, mean the part is now coming from a different supplier/manufacturer. i bet in this case the original supplier was not as accurate with his casting quality control as he should have been

adim_x

Its probably a manufacturing issue. There casting could have been created incorrectly. In the engineering world nothing is the same for long. I change drawings everyday for little tweaks here and there, different washers, bolts, casting tweaks. Most of our cars are probably different in some way. i wouldnt worry about this issue too much.

Crash

I just realized the notice states that 2 vehicles in dealer inventory have been identified as needing the recall. That means there is a very slight chance that mine is not one of the two...although considering how this week has gone...

Man, how do you tell someone they can pick up their car "early next week" and then just totally go back on your word and tell them, "I don't know anything but, keep you updated"

zoom44

because he has information today he didnt have yesterday.

cleoent

http://www.cnn.com/2005/AUTOS/07/21/...eut/index.html

fray

iTrader: (1)

Hmm surprising I havn't seen anything on the heat recall.. just this little recall.

expo1

That news will now hit yahoo / Google which will bring out the noobs to this site. Get ready for a bunch of new threads on this subject.

expo1

Doing a little web surfing LINK I read that the lower control arms are “ Hot-Forged Aluminum” while the uppers are “Forged Aluminum”. Can anybody provide any insight to why they went with this setup?

brightnova

I understand where you are coming from Crash. We are both in the same situation. Fingers crossed, this RECALL will either not affect our cars, or the fix procedure will come out at the same time as the heating recall and they can do the work for both recalls at the same time. That's what I am hoping for.

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

well damn. I have an early build 04(built 7/03) and the racing beat sways with the bigger end links. I wonder how Mazda is going to react to that. The heat related thingy was one thing but--- this is quite another. I don't like this one. Makes me nervous. May loose steering? Yea --right. Automatic severe accident is more likely(unless by chance you are in a low speed situation.) Well at least they are honest about it? Why didnt we hear about this before the national boys? It's going to be a long day in the shop sometime in august --- and--- definitly NO TRACK day/AUTOCROSS FOR ME!
Oldragger

zoom44

because the issue first showed it self in japan instead of here. and they have only found 2 here that have the problem- both were unsold at a dealer.

RX-Hachi

This recall has me more concerned than the heat issue recall. With the heat issue recall there are some clues to look out for, such as high rpms while stationary and melted grommets to check. With this one, take a corner too hard and hit a pot hole or something, keep your fingers crossed that the ball joint stays in tack! Not a fun thought if you've got your kids in the car with you as well. Oh well, the saga continues. But dang it, I still love this car!

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

Oh dont get me wrong, No intention of getting rid of this great car. Every manufactor has recalls--some more serious than others. But like Hatchi and I have said---This one makes us nervous. I wish Mazda would clear this before anything else.
Olddragger

Crash

Hey Nova,

What has your dealer told you? Anything? I've had continual vague answers, "I'm gonna pressure service."... "I've got a conference call today about it"... etc, etc. This is after my wife told him that we've been on the forums and they need to get better sources because we know more than they do.

Crash

I'd like to know what "severe conditions" means. Are they saying that if you're driving down dirt roads with ruts and potholes for extended periods of time it is likely to break? Are they saying if you drive in an autocross it is likely to break? Do they just mean your occasional potential Teamster hangout on the freeway? :D

I would hope it doesn't mean that everyday driving could cause the breakage. "Severe" doesn't strike me as such.

brightnova

Hi Crash,

Actually I ended up walking in to the dealer with all the PDFs printed out for the heating recall. They then admited to me they knew no more than me and even asked me to let them know when I heard something. I'm sure they think I have back-channels for information or something.

They know nothing more than us. They are waiting on Mazda. Its exceptionally frustrating and I just hope zoom44 or Gomez hear something soon. I really want this car. Wanted it for a while, so I can wait. But still. I would like to at least hear an ETA so that I don't open this forum everyday in hopes of seeing some good news.

The good news for us (me and my wife) is that we just bought an MPV from them and we got a very good price (still getting the RX8 as well). There is no fault with the dealer. They are really trying to help us. The salesman is well aware I could back out of buying the car - and he will lose the commision.

brightnova

Does anybody think they will be able to release a VIN range for possibly affected cars? I am sure many people would love to figure out whether there car is possibly affected. Or has Mazda done this by effectivly specifying a build date?

RosenthalMazda

My information says the control arms in question were installed thru 11/05/04, VIN -148788

Crash

Rosenthal,

Does that mean the car I'm waiting on has a double hold on it? Or were they just holding the two they identified? Or is the one I'm waiting on most likely one of the two?

RosenthalMazda

They are holding the two identified. But I'm sure Mazda's instruction is going to be for all dealers with 04 models in stock to perform the recall prior to delivery. Makes sense to me.

And why would you think that *your* car is on hold? What makes *you* so special?? :D

But really....why would you freak out over it? If they were dropping like flies you might freak out over it. They'll probably have info by 8/1 and parts are already available. Not 27,000+ but they are available.

Hmmm...marketing note to self....put new control arm on website.....

dj.stains

ok what is the vin range on this i have a 2004 this is scary

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

Great, my car is affected by both recalls then.
Oh well... at least they can take care of both at the same time and probably a bunch of other things like replacing the battery and the starter etc. I'll make sure to drop off the car with a complete laundry list of the TSBs - we'll see how that will go.

The best thing is that when logging on to the MazdaUSA web site owners section, it says that 'there are no recalls for your vehicle'. It certainly takes time for them to update the site... even though both recalls are already listed at the NHTSA.
On the other hand, I can understand it since the recall notifications were not sent out yet.

missinmahseven

Clicketyclack, earlier in this very thread.

zoom44

hahaha so that's why you posted out here in the forums instead of just on your site!!!DD