Rear Ball Joint

[TTNSX]

So I'm getting a terrible clunk from the right rear. It seemed to bad to be just sway bar bushings like everyone said. but after mounting my new tires I found out the ball joint is shot, it has noticeable slop.

Is it possible to replace the ball joint or do i need to replace the whole control arm?

How tough of a replacement is it (any big problem areas)?

and any suggestions on where I find actual Mazdaspeed parts other than from a **** me dealer?

I would love to install a new sway bar bracket kit but the wallet is runnin thin so i will probably have to wait.
any input would be greatly apperciated.

 

[rally2003]

Don't u mean font ball joint

 

[TTNSX]

yes im all mixed up, let me clarify. My front right lower ball joint is bad. I ordered a new control arm, not an OEM, I think it was mevotec. Are there any troublesome spots in this replacement?

Also the clunk I am getting sounds like a bad damper. Almost has a rattle to it. Its pretty loud and Im really only hearing it from the rear right. Anyone familiar with the clunk think this sounds like it. I plan on getting the newest OEM sway bar bushings to see if it helps.

 

[rally2003]

The clunking may be part of the ball joint problem too or it could be a tie rod going bad because of the bad ball joint.

 

[JasonBourne]

i think, i have the same problem too i hear a clunk from the front right side and i don't know what is it... well could you guys explain me what is the ball joint and the tie rod??
Thanks

 

[rally2003]

If the ball joint isn't press in it should just bolt in. Not that hard to do, but if it is pressed your going to have to press it out and press a new one back in.

As for the tie rod and ball joint question: have the car is jacked up in the air so the tire that is making the sound is not touching hte ground. Place one hand at the top of the wheel and the other at the bottom. try to move the wheel back and forth. If it moves pretty easily it could be a bad ball joint. Now while the car is in the air place one hand on the right side oif the tire and the other hand on the other side. Try to move the tire back and forth. If that moves the tire easily it could be a tie rod. Ball joints are part of the suspension and tir rods are part of the sterring. The camber and the caster of the wheel. If u don't feel comfortable with fixing it (because it can be a timely process if that is what is wrong) take it to a tire suspension shop like bell tire or tire man and they'll check it out for you.

Let me know how it works out for you guys.

 

[JasonBourne]

Thanks for the information, i changed the two front wheel bearing and the tie rod seems good, but always have a clunk sound in the right side. i don't know where to look, or what inspect the suspension and the sterring look fine.
Any suggestion?

 

[rally2003]

Could be the front sway bar bushings, struts, or engine mounts could be torn. Just a few options, but really couldn't tell ya unless I saw it. Good luck.

 

[TTNSX]

When are you hearing the sound. If its during suspension compression its likely one of the components mentioned earlier. If its under large steering inputs, like parking, it could be a bent driveshaft.

I replaced my right lower control arm to fix the ball joint. It was a pain in the ass. The bolts were almost all seized and had to use a torch to get them out. Pressing in ball joints is an even bigger pain. You also need an arbor press. a whole new control arm is only $110 online. I would suggest that because it also replaces the body side control arm bushings, and the rears on mine were pretty worn.

 

[JasonBourne]

the sound it during suspension compression when i go in bump way, and the weir that i change the wheel bearing and still hear the sound like i have a bad wheel bearing the sound of wowowo of the tire.