Am getting ready to rip the stock suspension out of my 8 and swap in the MS parts. Looking over the (Mazda) shop manual, the front suspension removal procedure indicates that the upper ball joints need to be separated to remove the coil-overs.

I know in the Miata you are suppose to do this as well, but a well-place boot heel on the lower control arm will allow you to pull the coil-overs out without separating the joint.

For those of you who have done this, did you pop the ball joint (or control arm-to-chassis bolts), or were you able to wiggle the coil over out?

If you popped the ball joint, did you use the SST, or a parts-store separator? Any comments on potential damage to the aluminum arm?

Thanx!


Joe

 

You don't need to take the ball joint loose or remove the brake calipers. After you pull the upper A arm bolts there is enough wiggle room to remove the the shock/spring assembly. Just take your time and don't force anything.