We got our latest WOF but this was just a 'FYI' note that our mechanic wrote on the WOF sheet.
The car is a real old banger - a 1994 Mazda Cronos (626).
So, I'm assuming that this control arm bushing issue will rear its head in 6 months' time at the next WOF check! And I do realise that costs vary from region to region, but for this job. do any experts out there have some idea as to a ball park figure for parts and labour?
Seeing as it's the labour costs which usually burn the biggest hole in the pocket. How long would the mechanic need?
Truth be told, the car's becoming super costly (no surprises there given its age, kms etc) but we are starting to get to that stage where we're pouring more money into it than what it's worth. just trying to figure out whether this next issue will be worth fixing . or whether it's getting close for this machine to be taking a trip to car heaven.
Cheers!
franc123,
Apr 14, 9:48pm
You could always take the approach (which most do) of simply not worrying about it until it fails, or else now you've got your new WOF rely on that other typical bit of kiwi ingenuity and flog it off while the goings good and knowingly make worn bushes the next owners problem. The crystal ball tells me you could easily be up for $150 a side plus an alignment.
kiwikid2005,
Apr 14, 10:18pm
Haha, thanks for the feedback all the same
Thankfully it won't be my money being spent. and I know this will sound completely crazy but I think the owner's of the mentality right now that there's been so much dosh put into the car . he might as well just keep going now till he (hopefully) clears all of these issues. it's sorta like. he's gone all in. no point turning back now. might as well just keep going. on the basis that a few bills of a few hundred bucks here and there can be coped with. unless the mechanic turns around one day and says 'Four grand for that work please'. well then that'll be a different kettle of fish of course.
franc123,
Apr 14, 10:28pm
It will come to that probably, unless someone has reconditioned the trans in the past AND maintained it well since it will probably die, it has been one of the main causes of Cronos scrappage. Mazdas do tend to be cars where you get a great run for years then suddenly it all goes wrong.
kiwikid2005,
Apr 14, 11:12pm
Yup - the car had 12 (! ) years with its previous owner and the current owner's had the car for only three years or just under. It was purchased with no idea of its prior service history (never my idea of how to go about buying a car) but to be fair it was cheap as chips, so the owner wasn't expecting the earth. funnily enough though. and since you mention it. I'm suspicious of the transmission too given the car's cloudy history in that long period up to 2012-13-ish and for whatever reason I'm waiting for it to die soon. I was told that the transmissions on these cars can be weak you see.
Anyway, FWIW, the car went very reliably for the first couple years under the current owner. just the usual tyres. standard wear and tear items. went through WOF's cleanly first time. and now in this last year or so. everything on the car seems to be caving in on itself. much as you've described!
kazbanz,
Apr 15, 7:14am
kiwikid--sorry but control arm bushes needing replacing is just regular/normal maintainence for a vehicle.so its not a case of it "caving in";
kiwikid2005,
Apr 15, 7:52am
Fair enough, the bushes might be wear and tear or maintenance items, but in the last year the distributor and coil, fuel pump and filter, water pump, alternator and probably one or two other bits I'm forgetting have all needed to be repaired or replaced.
Yes, some of these may also be considered wear and tear, but I think my main point was that this car's costing too much. unlike my own trusty Corolla which is only a year younger (1995) but which has cost me not a penny in major repairs while it's been in the family (since '97). although it's been regularly maintained in all that time. which my guess is that isn't the case with this Mazda, prior to the current owner that is!
franc123,
Apr 15, 10:47am
Good service history certainly helps, but ageing of non serviceable parts does catch up. Distributor and coil failure was an issue on those from fairly early on, it was nothing unusual!
intrade,
Apr 15, 10:57am
i had this problem on my 1988 ford 626 telstar they never spotted the problem the bush is just pressed in to the lower swing arm and moves abouts when worn. I mig spot welded the sleve of the bush to the controll arm i recall to stop it from moving sidways. The problem is that it is a extreem idiotic design. the car was stiff as hell as the rubber would not move when you flex the suspension over bumps This is why it was moveing in the bush to swing arm instead and the reason for the anoying clunking and clacking noises, was gone once i spot welded them in place. as we all know mazda parts are non available or cost 500% of what every other vehicles components cost, as i found out when i wanted the part replaced back then. first and last time i owned any mazda that was.
kiwikid2005,
Mar 13, 12:16am
Yep, can't blame ya there. what I'm seeing with this Cronos puts me off the old school Mazdas anyway!
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