Mazda MX-3 silhouetteMX-3

FRONT SUSPENSION (STRUT) — Lower arm ball joint / bushing Inspection, Removal & Installation Notes

R-19prose procedure
Continued from R-18

Inspection

Lower arm ball joint

Check the following and replace the ball joint if necessary.

Lower arm ball joint inspection

  1. 1
    Inspect for damage.
  2. 2
    Attach the SST to the ball stud, and measure the torque with a pull scale.
    Hand holding the lower arm with SST 49 0180 510B attached to the ball stud, measuring rotation torque with a pull scale.
Rotation torque (while ball stud rotating)While ball stud rotating
20 - 33N·m
Pull scale reading
20-34N {2.0-3.5 kgf, 4.4-7.7 lbf}

Removal Note

Ball joint dust boot

Ball joint dust boot removal

  1. 1
    Secure the ball joint in vise.
  2. 2
    Carefully remove the dust boot from the ball joint with a chisel.
    Hand using a chisel to carefully remove the ball joint dust boot, with the ball joint secured in a vise.

Lower arm bushing (front)

Lower arm bushing (front) removal

  1. 1
    Cut away the protecting rubber of the bushing.
  2. 2
    Remove the bushing by using the SST and a suitable socket as shown.
    If the bushing is not easily removed, burn and cut the outer circumference to release the tension.
    Cross-section of lower arm bushing removal using SST 49 B034 201 and a socket in a vise. Labels: LOWER ARM, SOCKET, BUSHING, VISE, with an arrow showing press direction.

Installation Note

Ball joint dust boot

Ball joint dust boot installation

  1. 1
    Wipe the grease off the ball stud.
  2. 2
    Apply general-purpose grease to the new dust boot.
  3. 3
    Install the dust boot to the ball joint, and press it on by using the SST.
    Installing the ball joint dust boot by pressing it on with SST 49 1243 785; downward arrow indicates press direction. Label: BALL JOINT.
  4. 4
    Wipe off the leaked grease.

Lower arm bushing (front)

Lower arm bushing (front) installation

  1. 1
    Apply soapy water to the new bushing.
  2. 2
    Press it into the lower arm by using the SST and a suitable socket as shown.
    Cross-section of lower arm bushing installation, pressing the new bushing into the lower arm using SST 49 B034 201 and a socket between two vise jaws. Labels: LOWER ARM, VISE, SOCKET, BUSHING; arrow shows press direction.
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