Am I crazy? Are OE Lower Ball Joints not replaceable for 2003, Coil Spring trucks?

[bhgl]

Hey guys,

I've got my 2003 Mazda B3000, 2WD with front coils ripped apart. and I need to replace my lower ball joints.

I wanted to avoid buying/replacing an entire lower control arm and just do the ball joints since the bushings are "fine", but I can't seem to find a guaranteed fit ball joint?

Seems like most every part states something like: For Torsion Bar front suspension, or WILL NOT FIT OE Control Arms? Those that don't seem to vary in design and shape which is giving me pause.

If there's a specific ball joint y'all have used in the past please let me know.

Thanks!

 

[pjtoledo]

I've a 2005 coil Ranger with 373,000+ miles and have replaced the lower ball joints many times.
used the same lower ball joints as my 2000 4x4.

you're right, the listings are all over the place.
Rock Auto lists SKP SK500108 as both coil & torsion bar.

 

[bhgl]

I've a 2005 coil Ranger with 373,000+ miles and have replaced the lower ball joints many times.
used the same lower ball joints as my 2000 4x4.

you're right, the listings are all over the place.
Rock Auto lists SKP SK500108 as both coil & torsion bar.

What would you recommend/what have you purchased in the past for your coil ranger?

 

[pjtoledo]

I'll have to check on the brands, several were used. I tend to go for Moog, TRW, Motorcraft.
I do recommend non-greaseable, those boots seal better.
the greaseable joints have loose boots so excess grease can ooze out, and let water in.
YMMV

 

[sgtsandman]

I seem to remember replacing the lower ball joints on the 1998 I used to have.

 

[pentode]

I'll have to check on the brands, several were used. I tend to go for Moog, TRW, Motorcraft.
I do recommend non-greaseable, those boots seal better.
the greaseable joints have loose boots so excess grease can ooze out, and let water in.
YMMV

I have the Moog greaseable ball joints upper and lower and they do indeed blow the boots off when you grease them, even if you're not a gorilla about it.

 

[SumoPsycho]

Long story short, I’m running 4x4 (torsion bar) upper & lower ball joints on my 98 4x2 (coil spring) Ranger.

 

[don4331]

My time was more valuable - I replaced the whole lower control arms on my '98 last weekend rather than fight with the ball joints.

What burned - I couldn't get one of the shocks to unbolt so had to cut it out, so wound up replacing both (supposed to replace in pairs, right...)​

 

[pjtoledo]

Long story short, I’m running 4x4 (torsion bar) upper & lower ball joints on my 98 4x2 (coil spring) Ranger.

inquiring minds would like to hear the long story.

 

[SumoPsycho]

inquiring minds would like to hear the long story.

I don’t want to high jack my mans thread… So slightly longer story I installed 03 spindles to gain the 12” rotors.
I
Point being 4x2 and 4x4 lower ball joints are the same/interchangeable.

 

[bhgl]

I don’t want to high jack my mans thread… So slightly longer story I installed 03 spindles to gain the 12” rotors.
View attachment 115207I
Point being 4x2 and 4x4 lower ball joints are the same/interchangeable.

Feel free to high jack, I ended up just buying regular old ball joints from my local Canadian Tire, and they indeed fit

 

[SumoPsycho]

Feel free to high jack, I ended up just buying regular old ball joints from my local Canadian Tire, and they indeed fit

Thanks, but planning on starting a thread listing all the mods I’ve done as soon as I get the alignment sorted out.