Can I just change the upper ball joint on 2001 Mazda b2300

simple process
undo the nut
use the ball joint fork tool and hammer the ball joint from the taper socket
all explained in the workshop manual

For your problem,check out this few help links.

Click the link below to go through its procedure:----Upper Ball Joints inspection and replacement? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/upper-ball-joints-inspection-and.html------- How to Test Upper and Lower Ball Joint? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-test-lower-ball-joint.html------- How to inspect Upper and Lower Ball joint? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-inspect-lower-ball-joint.html------ How to Service Ball Joints on Car? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-service-lower-ball-joints-on-car.html----------- How to Replace Ball joints? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-replace-lower-ball-joints.html--------- Lower Ball Joints replacing on Mitsubishi car? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/lower-ball-joints-replacing-on.html
-------------These details will help.For more help,keep updated,with car brand,model and year.Thanks.Helpmech.

Click this help links below to go through its complete replacing procedure :-----Upper Ball Joints inspection and replacement? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/upper-ball-joints-inspection-and.html How to Test Upper and Lower Ball Joint? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-test-lower-ball-joint.html How to inspect Upper and Lower Ball joint? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-inspect-lower-ball-joint.html How to Service Ball Joints on Car? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-service-lower-ball-joints-on-car.html How to Replace Ball joints? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-replace-lower-ball-joints.html Lower Ball Joints replacing on car? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/lower-ball-joints-replacing-on.html

SAFELY RAISE SUPPORT FRONT OF VECHICLE ON JACK STAND MAKE SURE VECHICLE PARKED ON SOLID LEVEL GROUND. REMOVE WHEEL OR TIRE. REMOVE BALL JOINT STUD PINCH BOLT AND NUT FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE.REMOVE BALL JOINT BY PRYING IT FROM THE KNUCKLE.REMOVE BALL JOINT TO LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLT AND NUT. INSTALL NEW BALL JOINT TO LOWER CONTROL ARM.TORQUE THE BOLT TO 86 FT LBS INSTALL BALL JOINT TO THE STEERING KNUCKLE TORQUE BOLT TO 43 FT LBS YOU MORE LIKELY NEED FRONT END REALIGNMENT AFTER THE JOB DONE.

need a special press and cups and recievers to do this kind of work but yes you can replace just ball joints uppers and lowers but you can also get just control arms for uppers and lowers with ball joints in them for a little more, let me know if i can be of service anymore thanks

It depends on exactly which ball joint of the 3 per side your changing, but here are the details.

COMPRESSION LOWER ARM & LATERAL LOWER ARM ASSEMBLIES
Removal
1. Loosen compression lower arm ball joint nut. Using steering linkage puller, separate ball joint and
knuckle. Remove nut, bolts and compression lower arm assembly. Remove dust cover.
2. Remove stay. Remove shock absorber lower mounting bolt. Loosen lateral lower arm ball
joint and knuckle nut. Using steering linkage puller, separate ball joint and knuckle. Remove nut, bolt and
lateral lower arm assembly. Remove dust cover.
Inspection
Using preload socket, ensure breakaway torque for compression lower arm ball joint is 4-22 INCH lbs. (0.5-2.5
N.m) for 2000 models. On 2001 models, breakaway torque is 22-54 INCH lbs. (2.5-6.1 N.m). Ensure
breakaway torque for compression lateral lower arm ball joint is 13 INCH lbs. (1.5 N.m). Check compression
lower arm, lateral lower arm, dust covers, and bushings for damage and wear.
Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Use NEW ball joint nuts. Lubricate lip and inside of dust cover with
multipurpose lubricant. Using installer, install dust cover. Check front wheel alignment.
UPPER ARM ASSEMBLY
Removal
Using steering linkage puller, loosen upper arm ball joint and knuckle nut. Remove self-locking nut. Remove upper arm and upper arm shaft assembly. Remove dust cover.
Inspection
Using preload socket, ensure breakaway torque for upper arm ball joint is 3-13 INCH lbs. (0.3-1.5 N.m).
Replace upper arm assembly when measured value exceeds specification. Check upper arm, dust cover, and
bushings for damage and wear.
Installation
1. To install, reverse removal procedure. Use NEW self-locking nuts. Lubricate lip and inside of dust cover
with multipurpose lubricant. Using Ball Joint Installer (MB990800), install dust cover.
2. Ensure upper arm shaft assembly is installed at indicated angle. Verify upper arm shaft
assembly installation. Check front wheel alignment.

Once you have the correct arm off and a replacement joint (if available, some are not serviceable and require the arm to be replaced) then you will need a press or a ball joint press to change the joint. Such as
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38335

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46389

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=66958

or http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46967

rent a ball joint press from autozone . be sure to get the adapter set .

Jack up the car remove wheel remove brake caliper and remove rotor rent a ball joint press remover and installer tool (at schucks you get money back when you bring it back) if it's 4 wheel drive you will have to remove the axle shaft next pull the snap ring off on the top side and put tool on the lower tie rod end and press out, next do the top press out top joint next sand ball joint sockets so it is clean lube with WD-40 next press in top ball joint and then lower ball joint. In this order otherwise you will have to un install the top ball joint by removing the pin then nut.

i am not going to lie to you on this. if you do not have a very good mechanical back ground you should not attemp this procedure your self because it could result in serious injury. it should be brought to a shop because they do have the right tools to do this. alot of the time ball joints are pressed in under extream amounts of pressure

its easier to get the whole control arm and the lower one has to be pressed in. it is not and easy job if you dont have the right tools checkout rockauto.com to look at the replacement parts and to get a price on them