ball joints help asap.

[bwaits]

Originally Posted by $100T2

I've never heard "don't re-use the control arms" before.

Its a known deal.


The problem is that the control arm material is thin in this area. The operation of pressing them in from the factory expanded a smaller hole to snug them in. The operation of pressing the old joints out usually distorts the metal.

New ball joints do not get enough "bite" to stay in since the hole is already expanded from the factory and distorted from you pressing them out.

Some aftermarket ball joints have a groove machined into them for a c clip to keep them in. If yours do not you will want a few small tack welds. Mig is the best since you can get in and get out without heating up the ball joint to bad. Tig concentrates to much heat and can burn up all the grease.

-billy

[impulsive-RX7]

Originally Posted by bwaits

Some aftermarket ball joints have a groove machined into them for a c clip to keep them in.

For everyone's information, those with the C-clip were the Moog brand and are no longer in production.

I got some of the last ones from rock auto.

[fire85gslse]

Originally Posted by bwaits

Its a known deal.


The problem is that the control arm material is thin in this area. The operation of pressing them in from the factory expanded a smaller hole to snug them in. The operation of pressing the old joints out usually distorts the metal.

New ball joints do not get enough "bite" to stay in since the hole is already expanded from the factory and distorted from you pressing them out.

Some aftermarket ball joints have a groove machined into them for a c clip to keep them in. If yours do not you will want a few small tack welds. Mig is the best since you can get in and get out without heating up the ball joint to bad. Tig concentrates to much heat and can burn up all the grease.

-billy

Listen to this ^^^ guy billy, he know exactly what he is talking about.
He is right and I can tell you from first hand experience that even if the ball joint is tight it will come out one day so add two -three tacks to be safe.
I ended up buying new from mazda but will be tacking my old ones.

also look around. I think I saw some adjustable ones for sale somewhere else.