MX-3.com

I went to get an alignment, and the great people at mazda said my pass side lower ball joint needs to be replaced because it is too worn. They said they didn't have the part and it would take the weekend to get it and it would be $133 plus labour. I said don't bother I need my car and picked it up. they still charged me for labour the C**ksuckers $25, I had it out with the service adviser but he was a POS.

Anyways, I did a bit of searching here and at parts stores. I believe I have an early 92 so I think I need the smaller ones correct? also checking out parts stores, it looks like the protege did have a ball joint change in 93? and the mx-3's was halfways thru 92? So I should have the same ball joints as the early 323's and pro's

Canadian Tire's computer system ask for the vin, and if my vin is newer then theres I'm ok.

But my question is this, my vin is EC434 --- 130XXX and crappy tire's computer says somthing like EC3XX --- 2XXXXX

So is mine newer then that or not? I thought it went by the last 6 digits or is it the 434 / 3XX therefore mine is newer?

I am confused and do not want the wrong part, I was just thinking I'll buy 4 and return the 2 I don't use

Rick Johnson wrote:But my question is this, my vin is EC434 --- 130XXX and crappy tire's computer says somthing like EC3XX --- 2XXXXX
So is mine newer then that or not? I thought it went by the last 6 digits or is it the 434 / 3XX therefore mine is newer?

Safe to assume that a return trip to Mazda or a phone call on that is out of the question. Don't they have a couple of Mazda dealerships in Calgary?

Rick Johnson wrote:I was just thinking I'll buy 4 and return the 2 I don't use

That's a safe bet, save the second trip if wrong on the first go around. No re-stocking fee?

I believe that the change was mid-93 for MX-3s. I have an August 93' car and it still used the smaller ball joints. I changed over to the larger ones with my rebuilt spindles, but I don't think there is a real reason to do so. Just that I had two newer spindles and of course they used the larger ball joints. You might also want to go ahead and order two new ball joint bolts. They have a cut-out section to hold the ball joint and mine were slightly worn so I replaced them to make sure that they didn't let the ball joint slip out. Make sure to grease the ball joint alittle so that if you ever have to take it out it is not stuck in there.

Weird, I have an early-92, and I've replaced my passenger ball joint and CT did not ask for my VIN> Which ever one they game me worked no problem, I was not aware of a different ball joint until this thread...

jschrauwen wrote:With a title like that I'm surprised you haven't got a bigger response.

haha, yeah, first thing that crossed my mind was 'how the hell is he changing his balls, and why?!?'

then I read the post

nope-mx3

jschrauwen wrote:With a title like that I'm surprised you haven't got a bigger response.

I just wanted to get some quick responses , looked like it worked tho. Yea I think I'll just grab 4 while I'm there and I'm prolly going to look at a couple EGT ones while there if they have them in stock. Theres no restocking fee at CT and they are pretty good about returns, How long should it take? I think mazda was gonna charge me about an hour for one side? gawd I hope it's not siezed or something.


EDIT: I just picked em up I got 91 323/protege ball joints and I also got the mx-3 ones. The 323/protege ones are smaller and I'm guessing these are the right ones...

«««my mechanic just priced passenger side ball jooint for me this week
the economy one was $45 and the lifetime moog brand was $77 . ««he didnt ask me anything about vin number

did mine 2 weeks ago, and this listing for the ball joint was pretty much a slam dunk

slab them fockers off neuterboi

lol dam thats alot.. I payed 50 dllrs for mine new....

I almost had to replace my balls last night when my gf found out I was tape recording us....

word of advice, cover the red LED with tape if you do that

LOL got the video? jk

Gro Harlem wrote:I almost had to replace my balls last night when my gf found out I was tape recording us....

word of advice, cover the red LED with tape if you do that

pffft n00b! heres one, Mazstyle is my normal handle, it changed to my real name a while back on here, and yes its felt pen LoL