Front suspension Q.
#3
Never Follow
iTrader: (18)
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.
#4
Redline Addict
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Aragon, GA
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
#6
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Drifting a Roundabout near you!
Posts: 1,366
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes
on
10 Posts
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.
Not a job for the faint at heart.
Trending Topics
#8
Old Fart Young at Heart
iTrader: (6)
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.
#10
Lives on the Forum
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.
#11
Full Member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Newbury, NH
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
#12
Lives on the Forum
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...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
GrossPolluter
Suspension/Wheels/Tires/Brakes
12
08-15-15 10:32 PM