Sorry to post in the miata group, Is there a general mazda group?
Quick question, hit a curb in my old 89 626 two years ago. Bent the Lower control arm, drivers side. Replace and everything seemed OK. About 16 months later I started having a popping noise in that area. Found out the simple bearing on the top side of my strut assembly was out of whack. I went to my local junk yard and replaced the whole strut assembly. When I put it in I noticed that it seemed to take a lot of horizontal torque to get the lower part to connect. Had to push it towards the car. Figured this was normal. That "new" strut assembly only lasted about 3 months and now it's popping just like the other. Generally on turns, and when it happens my steering wheel now points a different way for straight.
I don't see any frame damage, but I'm thinking this is the real problem. Any Suggestions or thoughts.
TIA
Bruce