do you need to change wishbone when ball joint/cover fails?

[chipvan]

Ive got a split in my lower ball joint on wish bone,and thought it was possable to just change the lower ball joint.or poss the cover if its not failed.

Apart from poss rusting on wishbone or not have the correct press to remove the lower ball joint is there any other reason its been said you have to change the whole lot??

It passed the mot so it may just be the rubber.

last year i had the passenger side fail and they changed the lot that cost a bomb!!!

[lazyb5]

Hi chipvan, I've just replaced both wishbones because of bad joints split covers and perished rubbers. They cost 350 but I had to install them myself. I don't think the covers are available in the correct size. Ady (northern bongolow) will advise better. If the wishbone appears ok then pressing in a new balljoint with new cover would be the best solution

[chipvan]

Thanks for that,just trying to work out who is going to do the job....dorset is short of bongo garages!

[Ian]

Ady (NorthernBongolow) and myself have been investigating this. The lower ball joints are not available as separate genuine Mazda items. However, there are a few suppliers (look on eBay) who claim to sell one that will fit. However, the one that I found, and Ady subsequently tested, had no movement in it at all, and is not recommended as a replacement. So until something else is found, I'm afraid it's the whole wishbone that will need to be replaced.

[chipvan]

I see,got ya thanks.
I didnt know why some change the joint,and others do the whole lot.

looks like false economy to fit a rubbish part..

[Northern Bongolow]

if the rubbers are split there is a fair chance the joint is knackered so several peeps are looking for the replacement parts to help members out.
the joints on ebay seem ok and to fit them is quite easy (with care) if you have a vice and a sash cramp or press. the problem with this may be the rubber bushes or the pivot mounting on the wishbone itself can wear so ian is trying to stock each part individually or stock the whole thing as a service to members.
according to the handbook there is a set measurement to test the balljoint, as it shows a test operation being done, this measurement may have been left out in the translation of the manual and ian is trying to sort it. as far as i can see if the rubber is split and the ball flops around when released from the swivel, bin it.
there should be a measurable resistance when trying to move the joint, if there is then a rubber may be all you need.
in my opinion you need to remove the wishbone and fully access all the parts individually as the replacement of all the individual parts can be as much as a full part replacement.
work is going on to sort this and anyone with info may wish to contact ian.

[chipvan]

I see thank you for your reply..your a super star

[mikexgough]

Ball Joint covers are now available (Just) in Japan for the lower joint.......
You can get the rear bush and front bushes for they can with the right will & application be refurbed

My MOT tester says he will not fail a joint with a split gaiter IF there is grease in there and no signs of wear, just an advisory....if the grease has been washed out and wear is there.... fail

Personally.....go with the wishbone as it will last you years, mine looked very old as if they were originals....
I have 2 wishbones to refurb here in the slow time during the summer....a repaint, new bushes and joint

As for fitting new wishbones..... I have almost finished a photo "how to".... with the torque values and tool list .....and you can change them on a 4wd without removing the driveshafts.......

Needless to say.....locals to me.... if you want them changed .....bring Bongo round.....

[chipvan]

what are the torque values ..please