Anyone know the true answer to this queston.I asked around and some guys say it's pressed in and some say you need to replace the whole control arm to get a new one.I pulled all my control arms to replace all the bushings and some of the ball joints got damaged so I'm just trying to get it figures out.Thanks in advance

 

yes.

there is one bushing you have to cut part of the arm off to get out. but it dosent compromize the arm.

 

I've always heard that the outer ball joing for the upper and lower front arms (the one that the actual hub carier attaches to) are non-replaceable, and you've gotta get a new arm. How did you damage them?

 

The outer ball joints on the front upper and lower arms are not replaceable. Mazda does not even have seperate part numbers for them.

 

^ I love how on the s5 on up that mazda suddenly thought up the theory that ball joints never go bad...

 

Yeah, I have no idea why they did that, but my s5 is pimping s4 arms now, lol...later

 

After taking the control arms out of my car to install Unobtanium bushings, I noticed the boots were worn and split. After a lot of searching and wasted time, I came to the conclusion that there is no way around the fact that I just needed new control arms. They cost an arm and a leg but the difference in ride quality (with the new, tight ball joints) is unbelievable.

 

damn. well that just sucks.

how do you check those ball joints? feel free to comment while i find that search button thingy...

 

The FSM explains it. Basically you hook a spring scale on them and measure how much force it takes to twist the ball joint.

 

Well,I didnt damage the ball joints.I took the control arms off the replace the bushings and wanted to replace the ball joints because I assumed they were a little work seeing as how the car has 110K miles.One of the uppers has a ripped boot though.It looks like there is a part number for that though.I guess I'll be ebaying all my control arms.I just ordered new uppers and lowers from Malloy Madza.I got RAPED! I assume I got a better deal too because they came from Malloy.The uppers were like $520 for both and the lowers were like $985.There goes the money for my coilovers?

 

Thanks guys for the quick feedback.All the info is very helpfull.

 

I have low milage Front Upper A-Arm (<38K miles). I replace them with new one because I have Clunk on my front end and found out is my bushing. I am too lazy to change the bushing so I order new A-Arm from Mazdamotorsport which has new bushings installed already. Price is good and definitely cheaper than anywhere else.

If anyone want my old A-Arm, give me an offer. I want to get rid of them or maybe ebay it.

BC