Ball joints?

[Ryan]

He's the seccond owner, and the other lady I doubt was capable of such, and Mazda would have used the right one...

What I'm curious to know is if the R & L side are the same size.

[onlytrueromeo]

Yes, the right and left are the same side unless the people who serviced the car are really that stupid. If you pull off the wheels, you should be able to look, you won't have the best view until you remove it, but you should get a general idea.

[Ryan]

I know they're SUPPOSED to be, but on rekognize's car?

[rekognize]

I'll try to stop by Mazda and ask them about the part today, I'm hoping giving them my VIN would give me the right ball joint but I'd still ask them about the 92 balljoint and compare it side by side.

[OptiX]

earlier model rx-7 ball joints will fit the ones for the smaller shaft, also, if the car is lowered will increase your wheelbase width since they're like 3/4 of an inch longer than stock and a little bit beefier (where if bolts up to the control arm) (im using them in my 323, same nuckle that came with the 1.6 sohc 92-93 mx-3's, they're actually the same setup when it comes to those older 4 bangers, there's a writeup in the mazda323performance boards)

[Ryan]

Maybe the longer ball joint assemblies would be good for people who want to slam their cars. Axles get too long if you lower too much, right? Thats my brilliant idea for today

[IMACHU2]

Mazda lists 92-93 as a E016-34-550 and 94-95 as a BTDA-34-550.
Altrom lists only 3/93-up, 18mm PIN. Rock Auto does list both
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Opps link does not take you all the way. Type in 1993 MX-3, Suspension, then Balljoint.
Not that unusal that it has earlier parts on it. Likely someone drove it over a curb at one point and replaced the front subframe complete with an earlier one from a wrecker. The Mx-3 I just bought has Yellow Auto Recyclers location markings on most of its parts.

[rekognize]

the 18mm pin is the smaller one?

[IMACHU2]

Not sure. The earlier ball joint is different though, that is where I would start. You could likely phone Rock Auto with your story and the measurements and they could check for you. The parts dude at Mazda will likely know what the differance is too.

BECK/ARNLEY Part # 1014396
BALL JOINT, FRONT LOWER, FRONT LOWER;From 3/93

BECK/ARNLEY Part # 1014708
BALL JOINT, FRONT LOWER, FRONT LOWER;Thru 2/93

Or call Beck / Arnley direct.
http://www.beckarnley.com/contact.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[rekognize]

Yeah I'll go to Mazda, just can't find time these days

Thanks for the info