Do I need to replace these suspension/steering components?

[Mr Lazy]

My 2 looks great on the outside, but the previous owner lived by the sea and I don't think the salty sea air has been kind to the mechanicals. The photos below show the RH front damper, the RH front suspension linkages and the steering universal joint from below and above. They all feel pretty solid but obviously look horrendous. I'm amazed at how expensive the lower front suspension arms are (£299 at MR2-Ben for example) so I'm hoping I can just recondition them. What do you think? Brush off the worst of the rust, brush on some kind of anti-corrosion paint and fit new bushes or new linkages and dampers all round?

IMG_20200829_185518210 by Paul Robbins, on Flickr

IMG_20200829_185620219 by Paul Robbins, on Flickr

IMG_20200829_190114005 by Paul Robbins, on Flickr

IMG_20200829_190620556 by Paul Robbins, on Flickr

[Carolyn]

It's all looking a bit crusty under there - but

I'd have a go with the old rotary wire brush and see what gives.  If the steering joint isn't sloppy, a good brushing, cleaning, zinc primer and spray lube (I use motorcycle chain lube) might just do the job.  If it's sloppy, TCB (our affiliate) has them.

Yaris A-arms from the same year are a good fit - just don't buy the very cheapest (they've probably been on the shelf for years and the rubbers could be dodgy). The rubber parts are probably shot on the ones you've got.

Most of the rest of it will clean up well enough.  Zinc primer and paint as needed....

At some point you might want to do shocks and springs - but if the ride is OK and the shocks aren't weeping - no hurry.

So it's overalls, beanie face-mask and goggles and off you go!!

[barchetta_ms]

These are the lower arms I purchased - seemed a reasonable middle ground on price/quality :

https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/moog/2045492

(buycarparts are part of Autodoc so you may get a different price from there)

Only difference between this and the standard was it came with a nyloc rather than castellated nut for attaching to the hub.

[Mr Lazy]

These are the lower arms I purchased - seemed a reasonable middle ground on price/quality :

https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/moog/2045492

(buycarparts are part of Autodoc so you may get a different price from there)

Only difference between this and the standard was it came with a nyloc rather than castellated nut for attaching to the hub.

Wow, these are a quarter of the price! At this price it's almost rude NOT to buy them.

[Mr Lazy]

It's all looking a bit crusty under there - but

I'd have a go with the old rotary wire brush and see what gives.  If the steering joint isn't sloppy, a good brushing, cleaning, zinc primer and spray lube (I use motorcycle chain lube) might just do the job.  If it's sloppy, TCB (our affiliate) has them.

Yaris A-arms from the same year are a good fit - just don't buy the very cheapest (they've probably been on the shelf for years and the rubbers could be dodgy). The rubber parts are probably shot on the ones you've got.

Most of the rest of it will clean up well enough.  Zinc primer and paint as needed....

At some point you might want to do shocks and springs - but if the ride is OK and the shocks aren't weeping - no hurry.

So it's overalls, beanie face-mask and goggles and off you go!!

Some good advice here, thanks. Is there any particular zinc primer that you use? Do you use the waxy type of motorcycle chain lube?

I didn't realise the Yaris arms were the same. Very handy. Will any rubber bushes do? I think I've seen them for sale on MR2-Ben and Euro Car Parts.

I'm hoping the springs are ok as they look much newer. I think the dampers are ok.

[Carolyn]

It's all looking a bit crusty under there - but

I'd have a go with the old rotary wire brush and see what gives.  If the steering joint isn't sloppy, a good brushing, cleaning, zinc primer and spray lube (I use motorcycle chain lube) might just do the job.  If it's sloppy, TCB (our affiliate) has them.

Yaris A-arms from the same year are a good fit - just don't buy the very cheapest (they've probably been on the shelf for years and the rubbers could be dodgy). The rubber parts are probably shot on the ones you've got.

Most of the rest of it will clean up well enough.  Zinc primer and paint as needed....

At some point you might want to do shocks and springs - but if the ride is OK and the shocks aren't weeping - no hurry.

So it's overalls, beanie face-mask and goggles and off you go!!

Some good advice here, thanks. Is there any particular zinc primer that you use? Do you use the waxy type of motorcycle chain lube?

I didn't realise the Yaris arms were the same. Very handy. Will any rubber bushes do? I think I've seen them for sale on MR2-Ben and Euro Car Parts.

I'm hoping the springs are ok as they look much newer. I think the dampers are ok.

Very many parts on these cars are straight out of the Toyota general parts bin for the era. Engine, brakes, etc .. some (because of the mid-engine layout) are unique to the MR2.  But is does pay to widen the search.  For instance search Toyota 1ZZ FE for engine parts.  Often the Ebay parts compatibility advice is wrong!

[Mr Lazy]

Often the Ebay parts compatibility advice is wrong!

I'm starting to notice that suppliers are often wrong...tyre suppliers quoting 15" rims all round for FL models and exhaust brackets not being identified as compatible for instance.

Sorry to mention it again but did you see my questions about the primer and motorbike chain lube?

[Carolyn]

Often the Ebay parts compatibility advice is wrong!

I'm starting to notice that suppliers are often wrong...tyre suppliers quoting 15" rims all round for FL models and exhaust brackets not being identified as compatible for instance.

Sorry to mention it again but did you see my questions about the primer and motorbike chain lube?

Sorry... I use 'Autotec' zinc primer, but I think any decent brand will suffice.  I would think any chain lube will do -it's designed to be tenacious.

[Mr Lazy]

Thanks Carolyn.

[Mr Lazy]

Wow, these are a quarter of the price! At this price it's almost rude NOT to buy them.

One sixth the price even! I'm a Maths teacher too - shame on me. 

[Gaz mr-s]

MR2 Ben is expensive for everything, any time I've looked.

[Jamtastic]

Hello there @Mr Lazy sorry if you already know this.

toyota-europe.epc-data.com › mr2 Gives you images and description with the first half of the part number. 4xxxxx

ZZW30 is the mk3

ToyoDIY.com gives you no images but the description and the full part number. 4xxxxx - xxxxx

Obviously use the two in conjunction to work out what you need. Helps a lot with searching and compatibility issues.

[scm2004red]

MR2 Ben is expensive for everything, any time I've looked.

Interesting comment, but compared to who?

As a relative newcomer I was about to send off a small order for a number of service items and the usual O rings for chain tensioner and airflow sensor, and the prices didn't seem alarming. I am sure I could shop around for filters and so on at local parts suppliers or even go to Toyota (who I suspect won't be cheapest), but as a one stop supplier MR2 Ben seemed to fit the bill.

The Club affiliated supplier TCB seems fine for some parts, mainly for tuning and modifications, but doesn't appear to carry run of the mill stuff.

I have no particular attachment to either supplier, but my experience with my other cars (Porsche) shows that eventually the manufacturer no longer lists low volume spares and a good independent specialising in one particular make or model is worth patronising as he tries to keep owners supplied.

Just my own opinion of course.

[Carolyn]

MR2 Ben is expensive for everything, any time I've looked.

Interesting comment, but compared to who?

As a relative newcomer I was about to send off a small order for a number of service items and the usual O rings for chain tensioner and airflow sensor, and the prices didn't seem alarming. I am sure I could shop around for filters and so on at local parts suppliers or even go to Toyota (who I suspect won't be cheapest), but as a one stop supplier MR2 Ben seemed to fit the bill.

The Club affiliated supplier TCB seems fine for some parts, mainly for tuning and modifications, but doesn't appear to carry run of the mill stuff.

I have no particular attachment to either supplier, but my experience with my other cars (Porsche) shows that eventually the manufacturer no longer lists low volume spares and a good independent specialising in one particular make or model is worth patronising as he tries to keep owners supplied.

Just my own opinion of course.

Pm me with your address and I'll send you the O rings. The OEM toyota one for the tensioner is naff.  The one I'll send is slightly fatter and does a better job.  FOC to new members!! 

The air filter fits quite a few cars so one from your local shop will be fine.  I use MR2Ben when all else has failed -which does happen!  So many parts for these cars are common to other Toyotas of the period,so paying for more for 'Roadster' parts often doesn't add up.

[Ardent]

Regards buying from Toyota, I have not found them to be more expensive.

The price I paid for a rocker cover gasket was no more expensive than anywhere else.

As guide we could use their eBay shop as a guide.

[Gaz mr-s]

MR2 Ben is expensive for everything, any time I've looked.

Interesting comment, but compared to who?

As a relative newcomer I was about to send off a small order for a number of service items and the usual O rings for chain tensioner and airflow sensor, and the prices didn't seem alarming. I am sure I could shop around for filters and so on at local parts suppliers or even go to Toyota (who I suspect won't be cheapest), but as a one stop supplier MR2 Ben seemed to fit the bill.

The Club affiliated supplier TCB seems fine for some parts, mainly for tuning and modifications, but doesn't appear to carry run of the mill stuff.

I have no particular attachment to either supplier, but my experience with my other cars (Porsche) shows that eventually the manufacturer no longer lists low volume spares and a good independent specialising in one particular make or model is worth patronising as he tries to keep owners supplied.

Just my own opinion of course.

TCB sells just about everything as far as I know.  They usually sell Toyota parts cheaper than Toyota.  I usually shop on ebay though, but I have the time to cross-refer items....

[scm2004red]

Pm me with your address and I'll send you the O rings. The OEM toyota one for the tensioner is naff.  The one I'll send is slightly fatter and does a better job.  FOC to new members!! 

The air filter fits quite a few cars so one from your local shop will be fine.  I use MR2Ben when all else has failed -which does happen!  So many parts for these cars are common to other Toyotas of the period,so paying for more for 'Roadster' parts often doesn't add up.

Thanks for that, will PM details.

Apologies to OP for mild hijacking of thread.

[Mr Lazy]

Hello there @Mr Lazy sorry if you already know this.

toyota-europe.epc-data.com › mr2 Gives you images and description with the first half of the part number. 4xxxxx

ZZW30 is the mk3

ToyoDIY.com gives you no images but the description and the full part number. 4xxxxx - xxxxx

Obviously use the two in conjunction to work out what you need. Helps a lot with searching and compatibility issues.

I didn't already know this, so thanks very much!

[Mr Lazy]

Apologies to OP for mild hijacking of thread.

No apology necessary @scm2004red. It is useful to read all this