On a 1985 GSL-SE are the ball joints - attached to the control arm- replaceable? Victoria British sells ball joints but Mazdatrix sells the control arm with the ball joints already attached. Can someone please help me in clairifying this?

Thanks!

 

This might sound too simplistic, but take a look to see if ball joints are attached the the arms using bolts/rivets etc. This might help.

 

The ball joints are not usually replacable. They can be pressed out and in, but it's generally easier to replace the control arm and ball joint as an assembly.

If you do press the ball jont out and in, it tends to come loose as the stock control arms are just thick gauge sheet metal rather than cast iron used on other cars.

Many people who replace the ball joints tack weld them in place.

 

They are a press fit. They can be replaced, which requires the use of a press and the appropriately-sized chuncks of steel, but many people report having trouble with the new pressed-in ball joints coming loose. 2 ways I have heard of getting around this issue:

1 - have a groove machined into the upper portion of the new ball joint so you can fit an appropriately-sized snap ring in to ensure the ball joint stays in place.

2 - have the ball joint tack-welded in place.

For either of these solutions, you should probably check the GCR if you race seriously in the SCCA, there may or may not be rules about this kind of thing. Otherwise, go for it.

In my case, I bought the 'Moog' joints from a local parts store and had the mazda dealer press them into my already-removed control arms. They charged my around $30. 2 years and over 20k miles of beating them around, they are holding fine with no welding or snap rings. FWIW, YMMV.

Armen

 

Thank you all for your assistance. I believe the best way of replacing the ball joints with out having to replace the control arm is to as Pele and Mr. Project have described above.

Turbonut: With all do respect to you, I suggest you take a closer look at what it is that we are talking about before you provide others with recomendations as you done above.

 

 

Actually, I never said it would be better to replace the ball joint seperate of the control arm... Still gotta compare prices.

I never thought of the Snap ring... Seems like a good idea.

 

Cut thru all the hassle and go with Mazdatrix.
Peace of mind is worthwhile, to say the least....

That Retro-Cowboy
Denny, from the 'ol corncrib...