Ball joints?

projectmx · Post by **projectmx** » April 9th, 2007, 8:18 am

Do all mx-3's use the same ball joints no matter if it's V6 or 92-93 Vs 94-96? I looked on ebay and all they sell are late 93 to 96 ball joints?

jaydog5678 · Post by **jaydog5678** » April 9th, 2007, 10:09 pm

Great question.

No, not all Mx-3 ball joints are the same. Early 92-93 1/2 Mx's use a different sized ball joint and steering knuckle than later 93 1/2 to 95 or 96 models. Based on the VIN# and yr (especially the 93 model yr.), there is a difference. I'm not aware of a v-6 or 4cyl difference though.

projectmx · Post by **projectmx** » April 10th, 2007, 12:31 pm

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 588&rd=1,1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 22110&rd=1

how about these two? the second says for 92-95 mx-3? and is the knuckle different or the control arm? which would i have to switch to use a different ball joint?

Tunes67 · Post by **Tunes67** » April 10th, 2007, 12:46 pm

Jaydog is right on the money.. unfortunately.. the ball joints are in the same boat as the GS Waterpump. On the waterpump the hub center is 16mm or 32mm and until you take it off.. you dont know what you got. Like the waterpump.. your best bet is to take the ball joint off and take it to a parts store and get the new ones there. Yes it will probably cost more.. but.. by comparing the part at the store to your original.. you will be certain to get the right part the first time and you wont have to ship back a useless part if someone sends you the wrong one from ebay. Just my opinion though. Cheers

Tunes67

projectmx · Post by **projectmx** » April 10th, 2007, 1:50 pm

does anyone know which parts are different though? is it just the ball joint, is it the knuckle? is it the control arm or is it more than those even?

jaydog5678 · Post by **jaydog5678** » April 10th, 2007, 3:56 pm

I wouldn't buy the ones you just listed. The seller dose not know what the difference is in size.

The control arms are all the same. The steering knuckle will accompany the right size ball joint depending on the VIN#. I would suggest going and comparing the ball joint at a parts store to what you take off.

nope-mx3 · Post by **nope-mx3** » April 10th, 2007, 4:07 pm

What would be the result if a mechanic gets the wrong ball joint on one side?
A mechanic replaced mine, and the car is just crap to drive now.
It was okay with the stock suspension and 185/65-14s, which I put on for approval purposes, but when we put the koni`s and GC`s + the 215/35-18 back on (wich I`ve used for 2 years without any problems), the ride is insanely harse, the car is just not nice to drive at all.
going over _small_ cracks in the pavement, at small speeds (15-20mph), and it feels as if the car dont have shocks at all. loud "bang" from the front suspension etc.

Going over small bumps at almost a crawl, and it feels as if the suspension moves up and down before it tries to dampen with the strut. Hard to explain.

-n

Post by **Custommx3** » April 10th, 2007, 4:53 pm

I'd just take it off and take it to your local car parts store.

I bought one w/o taking mine off, turns out the previous owner swapped out hubs and I had to return it.

projectmx · Post by **projectmx** » April 11th, 2007, 9:16 am

so if the knuckle is all that's different i can order anyone i want caues i have a 1994 parts mx-3 i can use the knuckle off of and save about $50 or more

ScooterBovine · Post by **ScooterBovine** » April 11th, 2007, 3:05 pm

I ran into this problem. Went to Mazda, got a new ball joint, went to put it on... Too big! Went back, got the other kind, slipped right in like a glove! So, that's my story.

Vanished · Post by **Vanished** » April 12th, 2007, 8:40 pm

Bingo. I have a 93 too, made is january 93. It was the early modle, and of course it has the smaller knuckle. Napa didn't even know that smaller ones existed, partsoure and mazda didn't have them in stock. Eventually part source ended up finding some at a warehouse, 80 bucks each. But they have a grease fitting, plus lifetime warrenty. Made by MOOG! Anyway, if your car rides harsh take it back to the shop. The mighta put it it wrong.

rekognize · Post by **rekognize** » November 9th, 2008, 12:19 am

Okay just encountered this problem today.

My mechanic was suppose to replace my driver side balljoint but after 3 different ball joints from 3 different suppliers none of them fit! All were too big..

So is it the 92 that has smaller knuckles? My car is a 95

Daninski · Post by **Daninski** » November 9th, 2008, 12:26 am

On early 92's the shaft that slides into your axel knuckel is of a smaller diameter. Just order the newer B joint and your good to go. If the joint fits it's the right one. Don't over complicate the issue.

rekognize · Post by **rekognize** » November 9th, 2008, 1:01 am

Yes that's exactly what my mechanic did, ordered 3 different ball joints from 3 different suppliers but all of them were too big (the shaft).

Just read here now that the 92 uses a smaller diamater maybe ill try that one...

I guess some guy in the factory decided to put '92 knuckles on my '95 car just to piss me off..

Daninski · Post by **Daninski** » November 9th, 2008, 8:17 am

Possibly someone replaced your entire assembly with ones from another car.

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