So i am reading that i cannot replace my Ball joints in the control arm. Is this true?

 

No, you can press out the old ball joint and replace it with a new one.

 

Some places like Mazdatrix don't sell ball joints, and require you buy a whole new arm that might be where you got that idea, but you can just go to NAPA or any number of places online to get ball joints and press out the old and in with the new. Beware i've had a few come loose on me in the past, now I tack weld them in to make sure.

 

Justint5387 is right, it just isn't recommended by Mazda. However, most people here replace the ball joint(try black dragon) and after pressing them in they spot weld them for added security. Mine were replaced about 15000 miles ago with no weld and are doing fine.

 

Yea its hit or miss, a few of mine have come loose, but others haven't without the weld. Just to be safe I tack weld all mine now...

 

The pressing out of the old ball joint without damaging it is the trick, you need a good press and the correct tooling to make sure you don't damage the arm,large socket does the trick,the arm is not as sturdy as you might expect. I tore a part of one arm when pressing the old ball joint out. It was made to be thrown away instead of maintained....welding is a good idea, I did it and it works great.
Not a job for the faint at heart.

 

thanks guys. big help.

 

P B Blaster, heat and a 12 ton shop press, along with the appropriately sized sockets will do the trick. The price differential between new LCAs with ball joints and buying the joints separately will pay for 1/2 of the press. Some replacement joints come with snap rings/circlips to hold them in place. 2-4 tack welds per joint is cheap insurance.

 

I did it with 3 long sockets and a cheap vice from Lowes:

 

I used the Loan-A-Tool option from Autozone for a ball joint press. Worked great, and I've had no issues in the couple thousand miles I've put on the car since. Did not tach weld or anything, they seemed plenty tight when they went in. Just take you time and triple check as you go to ensure that they are straight and you'll be fine... Check with www.rockauto.com for best pricing.

 

Cheap insurance & piece of mind..........tack-weld !!! The factory did it for a reason!! They do come loose if not tacked. Or go with the snap-ring version which are a bit harder to find.

 

Umm, the factory did not tach weld the ball joints. The idea is, maybe you will damage the control arm while pressing out the old joints. If you can avoid doing that, then there shouldn't be an issue. However, if you get the new joints in and they aren't as tight as a (insert whatever you want here), then get them welded...

 

Here's how I did it:

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...ht=ball+joints

Rich