Evo guys what will you do when most of the evo parts get discontinued
Evolved Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 844
Likes: 168
From: canada
I recently ran into a part that I need replaced (HID ballast). Upon calling a couple dealerships, they said it has been discontinued and no US dealers carry that part anymore. One of the dealers said I can submit a request for a Mitsubishi manufacturer in Japan to create it, but it is subject to their approval, the lead time is months, and they have been known to ask for 50% more than MSRP cost (this part is ~$700 MSRP). (it is also VERY hard to find this used online, and the one I have found recently needs some modifications to get it to work with my Evo. most places you find them advertising online, as soon as you call, they tell you it's not in stock, or they ship you the wrong one).
The thing I'm dreading is the ball joints. I recall there was someone who was making them (HardRace?) but I don't think they were making/stocking them anymore. I have a couple that are leaking but not horrible yet.
Evolving Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 138
Likes: 31
From: San Diego
Whiteline only makes the front ball joint (located in lower arm) and it has a taller design designed exclusively for changing the roll center on lowered cars.
Hardrace makes ball joints but they are almost constantly out of stock of them and people have had mixed results with the quality.
Febest makes replacement ball joints but they stopped selling them during the pandemic. Not sure if they are selling them again or not. Some people were having to source them direct from Australia, New Zealand, and Germany to get them.
Other parts that are problematic to get are the clutch pedals (not longer sold by Mitsu) and aftermarket tie rods since MOOG no longer makes them. I also recently ran into a problem trying to get the evap hose that runs to the evap box behind the gas tank. No longer sold my Mitsu and the ID is a weird size so trying to cobble something from a regular hose doesn't work vey well.
Welcome to the life of owning an old car.
I wonder if parts can still be bought in Japan and we just can't get them stateside.
Hardrace makes ball joints but they are almost constantly out of stock of them and people have had mixed results with the quality.
Febest makes replacement ball joints but they stopped selling them during the pandemic. Not sure if they are selling them again or not. Some people were having to source them direct from Australia, New Zealand, and Germany to get them.
Other parts that are problematic to get are the clutch pedals (not longer sold by Mitsu) and aftermarket tie rods since MOOG no longer makes them. I also recently ran into a problem trying to get the evap hose that runs to the evap box behind the gas tank. No longer sold my Mitsu and the ID is a weird size so trying to cobble something from a regular hose doesn't work vey well.
Welcome to the life of owning an old car.
I wonder if parts can still be bought in Japan and we just can't get them stateside.
I recently ran into a part that I need replaced (HID ballast). Upon calling a couple dealerships, they said it has been discontinued and no US dealers carry that part anymore. One of the dealers said I can submit a request for a Mitsubishi manufacturer in Japan to create it, but it is subject to their approval, the lead time is months, and they have been known to ask for 50% more than MSRP cost (this part is ~$700 MSRP). (it is also VERY hard to find this used online, and the one I have found recently needs some modifications to get it to work with my Evo. most places you find them advertising online, as soon as you call, they tell you it's not in stock, or they ship you the wrong one).
I bought ballasts over a year before I found a set of headlights for just this reason. They were $50 a piece then. Stockpiling parts will soon pay off.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/32517532808...QAAOSwCnticlPO
I bought ballasts over a year before I found a set of headlights for just this reason. They were $50 a piece then. Stockpiling parts will soon pay off.
I bought ballasts over a year before I found a set of headlights for just this reason. They were $50 a piece then. Stockpiling parts will soon pay off.
Evolving Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 477
Likes: 32
From: VT
Same. I thought for sure I'd be able to get an OEM US rear bumper two years back...all the sites had them for sale! Well they listed them for sale; they didn't actually have them.
Plenty of USDM rear bumpers out there because everyone plays out the 7-8-9 with the JDM rear and IX front bumper. They look great and all but it gets old.
