inittab

Just wondering if the ball joints are replaceable in my 85 GS control arms. Victoria British sells ball joints but Mazdatrix sells the control arm with the ball joints. Can someone clairify this? Thanks!

Barwick

I don't know, but I just replaced both the inner AND outer tie rod, along with the threaded rod that connects them, all for well under $100. Just get 'em all changed would be my opinion.

inittab

I'm in the process of replacing all my tie rods at the moment. Problem is... my ball joint boots are split and probably need replacing. To save money I would rather just replace the ball joints than the whole control arm but upon inspection I'm not sure if the ball joints are replaceable without getting the whole arm.

CrazyJoe12a

I replaced the ball joints on mine when i got it. didn't have to replace the entire control arm. Just rent a ball joint press....

peejay

The ball joints are not replaceable. When they get loose, you have to get another car.

piston pounder

So are they replacebale or not?. Ive heard they are!.

inittab

Ah man!!!! That's what I was afraid of.

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

Dude, take it with a grain of salt. As you can see from several posts above, people HAVE replaced them.

inittab

Yeah, but I just got my rex and now I gotta get a new one.

peejay

I'm just being a ******, folks...

The problem is the balljoints press into basically sheetmetal. At the one shop where I worked every time we replaced a Mazda press-in ball joint, it wouldn't press in, just rattle around loose in there. UNfortunately, most of the control arms we had problems with (626/MX-6/Probe) have been DISCONTINUED.

MIKE-P-28

iTrader: (1)

Heres what I did Knocked it out and replaced with a new one, then welded the sleeve to the arm. Mind you I get one shot at it, but i can find plenty of worn out arms

Peejay is right it never stays in there tight Unless you tack weld it

inittab

Thanks for the great info guys! I knew you'd pull through for me. Since I don't have a welder and I found a source of control arms for $101 each. I think I'll go that route. Again thanks!

Kill No Cone

iTrader: (6)

If you get the ones from Mazdatrix, they will no charge you to press in new bushings. So, I sugest that you get their control arms and have them press in urathane bushings. It sounds like your changing everything else.

yayarx7

Where are you getting yours at $101?

85gs

I'm getting ready to replace my entire front and rear suspension. I've got RB springs and Tokiko Illuminas along with a polygraphite front end rebuild kit from PST(containing new ball joints). CrazyJoe12a replaced his balljoints as did Mike-P-28 (adding the tack weld to hold them in place). Have others had good results with replacing the ball joint and not the entire control arm? Any areas to pay particular attention to? Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!!!

85gs

Any other thoughts?????