2G Control Arm ID

[97EclipseGSX]

Ok so the bushing on my lower lateral control arm cracked open again. They have already been replaced by the dealer so I'm assuming I can't go get another set for free.

I have a fairly new one sitting in my garage that I can't for the life of me figure out if it is a left or right arm. There is no stamping on it marking it either way, only a printed part number 1605N1 and the number 26 which is casted into the arm. It is one of the replacement units that Mitsu uses when doing the recall but the sticker is no longer readable.

I have hunted through my local junkyard for another with the same markings and searched online with no luck identifying this arm. Does anyone know which it is, they look the same are they the same left to right or what I should do to go about IDing it?

I know I can just swap the bushing to the arm on the car but if it is the correct side I would rather just use it.

Thanks in advance
Pat

 

[turbosax2]

The control arms are not the same on both sides. I believe the one with 26 stamped on it is for the Right (passenger) side. I say this because I found this picture of my car's left control arm - you can make out the 27 stamped on it. However, mine doesn't have 1605N1 on it.

OEM part numbers, for reference:
Left lateral control arm - MR296295
Right lateral control arm - MR296296

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[daren_p]

I haven't looked under my front suspension in a long time but I going to say more then likely you could probably tell the difference if you looked under the car. I believe the shock mount is centered on both arms but I'm thinking the portion that attaches to the subframe is offset, so if you check under the car, you should be able to figure out what goes where.

 

[97EclipseGSX]

Well that sucks I was hoping it was a left side arm.

Anyone else have input on this?

Its definately not obvious looking at the bushings or whatever on the arm. There is no offset on the subframe side. Or the shock mount.

I guess I will just swap the boot and hope the joint itself isn't messed up already.

 

[97EclipseGSX]

Nobody else knows what numbers are stamped on their lower control arms??

 

[Taylor3180]

What is the part that is next to the control arm it looks liek it comes off the spindle and then ties back under the car it has two bolts in the end where it ties back in. Its the part right above the pic showing the stamping on the control arm on the drivers side.

 

[97EclipseGSX]

U talking about the compression arm, the other lower control arm?

 

[Taylor3180]

I couldnt tell you what it is that's why I am asking . It's the part that looks likes it's covered in road salt. With the weird bending contour to it. I know nothing about suspension yet and am looking to learn as well as it is the part I need

 

[turbosax2]

Pat, are you still trying to identify these? I actually bought new OEM control arms that I can check out this weekend if you need me to.

 

[97EclipseGSX]

Pat, are you still trying to identify these? I actually bought new OEM control arms that I can check out this weekend if you need me to.

Well I had thought that you could tell by looking to see whether the stamped number faced the front of the vehicle when on the car or not. But I pulled a used one off a car in a junkyard that was a recall replacement and its stamping didn't face the front. I hadn't noticed any others being that way. I went ahead and put it on my car everything seems to be fine. But yes I am still curious as to whether the dealer screwed that up or if they actually are the same. I'd rather not be driving around with the wrong arm on my car.

 

[turbosax2]

Here are pictures of my new control arms. Although I ordered MR296295 (left) and MR296296 (right), MR972465 (left) and MR972466 (right) are superseded part numbers that I received. They don't have 26 or 27 written on them. The portion that attaches to the subframe has no offset, but the portion to the shock mount does. I'll let the pictures do the talking.



MR972465 (left)

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MR972466 (right)

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