1992mazda929
Member
Hey all,
I've been reading up here for a few days, great resource! Thanks everyone.
I own a 1992 Mazda 929 that needs the right front lower ball joint replaced. In my research, I found that most people just say to replace the entire control arm assembly, but I cannot afford that, and the control arms on both sides of my car are in great condition. The ball joint is the only problem. I've never replaced a ball joint before, and I try to always ask before I get into something new. I am wondering what I'll need to know in order to change this ball joint. I did find a thread on another forum discussing the proper tool to use to press out/in the ball joint, and that it can be rented from the parts store. Which was great news to me, as I do not have the tools for such a thing.
Also, I'm not exactly sure what ball joint I should buy. I can't find a ball joint listed for the 929 specifically, only entire control arm assemblies. But I have found several ball joints listed for the 626 of the same year. I have been looking around at these control arm assemblies, and it seems the 626 uses the same exact control arm assembly as the 929, meaning they have the same ball joint, no? Here are the parts:
Control Arm Assembly listed for the 929:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...Mazda&model=929&vi=1190269&pt=C0318&ppt=C0106
Ball Joint listed for the 626:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...Mazda&model=626&vi=1189931&pt=C0317&ppt=C0106
I have posted this inquiry in a couple other Mazda forums, but I've received little response. I'm worried it's because no one has bothered to do this; after all, if I understand correctly, the entire control arm assembly, on both sides of the car, should be replaced in this case (by the way, is that really true?) - not just the ball joint. But I don't have the money for that. So, ( and this is where it gets dicey) I think I'm going to have the parts store order the 626 ball joint and compare it to the good one, the left front, on my 929. If they appear to be identical, and the parts store has the right tool for rent, I guess I'll attempt to swap them out. I feel pretty confident at this point that both cars use the same exact control arm, and thus the same exact ball joint. Then it will just be a matter of me being able to press out the old and press in the new. Hopefully the parts store will have the tool I need.
Unless anyone has done this before and can advise otherwise? I will post my progress here in case it turns out to be a success.
Cheers,
Mike
I've been reading up here for a few days, great resource! Thanks everyone.
I own a 1992 Mazda 929 that needs the right front lower ball joint replaced. In my research, I found that most people just say to replace the entire control arm assembly, but I cannot afford that, and the control arms on both sides of my car are in great condition. The ball joint is the only problem. I've never replaced a ball joint before, and I try to always ask before I get into something new. I am wondering what I'll need to know in order to change this ball joint. I did find a thread on another forum discussing the proper tool to use to press out/in the ball joint, and that it can be rented from the parts store. Which was great news to me, as I do not have the tools for such a thing.
Also, I'm not exactly sure what ball joint I should buy. I can't find a ball joint listed for the 929 specifically, only entire control arm assemblies. But I have found several ball joints listed for the 626 of the same year. I have been looking around at these control arm assemblies, and it seems the 626 uses the same exact control arm assembly as the 929, meaning they have the same ball joint, no? Here are the parts:
Control Arm Assembly listed for the 929:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...Mazda&model=929&vi=1190269&pt=C0318&ppt=C0106
Ball Joint listed for the 626:
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...Mazda&model=626&vi=1189931&pt=C0317&ppt=C0106
I have posted this inquiry in a couple other Mazda forums, but I've received little response. I'm worried it's because no one has bothered to do this; after all, if I understand correctly, the entire control arm assembly, on both sides of the car, should be replaced in this case (by the way, is that really true?) - not just the ball joint. But I don't have the money for that. So, ( and this is where it gets dicey) I think I'm going to have the parts store order the 626 ball joint and compare it to the good one, the left front, on my 929. If they appear to be identical, and the parts store has the right tool for rent, I guess I'll attempt to swap them out. I feel pretty confident at this point that both cars use the same exact control arm, and thus the same exact ball joint. Then it will just be a matter of me being able to press out the old and press in the new. Hopefully the parts store will have the tool I need.
Unless anyone has done this before and can advise otherwise? I will post my progress here in case it turns out to be a success.
Cheers,
Mike
