Need lower ball joints!

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Well the one on my car is shot so i figure I'll just do both. Wondering what is a good deal on lower ball joints before I buy.

I found this one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Ball-Joint-Set-2-Front-Lower-Mazda-Miata-2005-2004-2003-2002-99-1999-Pair-/350612011666?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BUA%2 52BFICS%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D190267638036%26ps%3D54

Never did this job before so it will be completely new to me. Any tips on the job, what else I should do or what I'll need? Thanks everyone!

[I<3flippyheadlights]

bump

[tsingson]

I am sure that you probably will need to get your alignment done. If you have any other suspension components that you were wanting to change, now may be a good time.

[Small White Car]

DO NOT BUY E-BAY BALL JOINTS!

They have an awesome reputation for just giving it up, at the worst possible moment.
OEM replacements run about $50 a side, is your peace of mind worth only $65?

[SM16RMSM]

Take a look into buying Moog. Stay away from Chinese made stuff. Part Number is K9908

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moog-K9908-Lower-Ball-Joint-/321042412488?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4abf9e73c8&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOOG-K9908-Ball-Joint-Lower-/310540667624?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item484daa8ae8&vxp=mtr

[Thumper13]

Take a look into buying Moog. Stay away from Chinese made stuff. Part Number is K9908

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moog-K9908-Lower-Ball-Joint-/321042412488?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4abf9e73c8&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MOOG-K9908-Ball-Joint-Lower-/310540667624?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item484daa8ae8&vxp=mtr

I'm not so sure about those,Moog has their name cast into the arm and the rubber boot. If Moog isn't on them,they're not the real deal.

[kung fu jesus]

The job is pretty straight forward. Replacing the lower BJs does not need the car aligned. Remove the cotter pin and castle nut first. DO NOT strike that stud! Hit the knuckle on the area around this stud to free it, or use/rent a pickle fork. when the BJ is free from the knuckle, remove the 17mm bolt that attaches it to the control arm. It is the one that is next to the bottom of the shock mount. Remove the lateral bolt/nut last. Install it in the reverse of removal. You may need to put a jack under the lower control arm to raise it up to connect the BJ to the knuckle.If you have an impact wrench, use it to install the new castle nut to keep the BJ stud from spinning.

[SM16RMSM]

Thumper, those pictures are stock pictures. They not of the actual part. I sell TWR and Moog ball joint all day long on eBay. It is bad since you can't tell TRW ball joint from a Moog. Both are manufactured in the same building. Certain parts they will label Moog on but lower bal joints for a Miata won't have the name on them. It cheaper to make that way.

[I<3flippyheadlights]

The job is pretty straight forward. Replacing the lower BJs does not need the car aligned. Remove the cotter pin and castle nut first. DO NOT strike that stud! Hit the knuckle on the area around this stud to free it, or use/rent a pickle fork. when the BJ is free from the knuckle, remove the 17mm bolt that attaches it to the control arm. It is the one that is next to the bottom of the shock mount. Remove the lateral bolt/nut last. Install it in the reverse of removal. You may need to put a jack under the lower control arm to raise it up to connect the BJ to the knuckle.If you have an impact wrench, use it to install the new castle nut to keep the BJ stud from spinning.

Thank you for the descriptive explanation! You wouldn't happen to know where I could find pictures, would you? If not, I'm sure I can figure it out.

I'm probably gonna order a ball joint from my mechanic. He gets his for 40 bucks a piece and I'm sure they are fine.

[maharaj]

I'm probably gonna order a ball joint from my mechanic. He gets his for 40 bucks a piece and I'm sure they are fine.

Make sure that they aren't made in China or you are asking for problems.

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Maztech orders all their parts through World Pack or whatever. I'm sure its fine :P

[The Driver]

Maztech orders all their parts through World Pack or whatever. I'm sure its fine :P

Jeff is a stand up guy. If he is ordering the parts, you have nothing to worry about.

[I<3flippyheadlights]

Exactly! He is awesome!