Front Ball Joint Replacement - Warning
Apr 29, 2008, 04:04 PM
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Front Ball Joint Replacement - Warning
If you are replacing your front ball joint on the lower control arm, make sure you have the proper replacement part. Many parts suppliers have the part listed as Moog/Federal Mogul part number K80373, which is not correct. I called Federal Mogul and they did not show a separate ball joint for the base Lancer and the Lancer Evolution. They made a note of my feedback though, and said they would be correcting their electronic catalog. They showed no alternative Ball Joint replacement for the Evo.
I called the Dealership, and was told the Ball Joint was not meant to be replaced, and could not be purchased individually. I would have to purchase the whole control arm, which are $800 each.
The only alternatives I could find were the White Line Roll Center Correction kit, (thanks Robispec!) which comes with new, extended Ball Joints, and the Nagisa Adjustable Lower Control Arms, which are ~$1500 special order from Japan.
Just trying to save someone the headache I went through mangling my factory ball joint pressing it out, then realizing the replacement was not correct, resulting in parking the car while I waited for a used control arm replacement to arrive.
I called the Dealership, and was told the Ball Joint was not meant to be replaced, and could not be purchased individually. I would have to purchase the whole control arm, which are $800 each.
The only alternatives I could find were the White Line Roll Center Correction kit, (thanks Robispec!) which comes with new, extended Ball Joints, and the Nagisa Adjustable Lower Control Arms, which are ~$1500 special order from Japan.
Just trying to save someone the headache I went through mangling my factory ball joint pressing it out, then realizing the replacement was not correct, resulting in parking the car while I waited for a used control arm replacement to arrive.
Apr 30, 2008, 10:23 AM
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Ball joints
White line roll center ball joints ftw. You should be able to get the ball joint from the dealership. They just don't know what part # to use to order it. Look in a service manual and you should be able to find the part # for the ball joint.
Apr 30, 2008, 11:06 AM
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If they were servicable ball joints, then Mitsu corp would be having the dealers replace the ball joint instead of the whole lower control arm. It would be required to do so. FYI, I had to have mine replaced under warranty and it was the control arms replaced.
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Apr 30, 2008, 02:49 PM
#9
Ball Joint
I have the Whiteline Roll Center kit in... I had the OEM ones Pressed out... and these are in... i pitched the OEM ones... as well if the whitelines fail i will just get another set... but I ruined one of the rear upper control arms trying to put in the urethane bushings... new arm came with the Ball Joint... so I'm assuming they come pressed already with all the arms.
Apr 30, 2008, 04:27 PM
#10
put your money where your mouth is. Find the part number and prove us wrong
If they were servicable ball joints, then Mitsu corp would be having the dealers replace the ball joint instead of the whole lower control arm. It would be required to do so. FYI, I had to have mine replaced under warranty and it was the control arms replaced.
If they were servicable ball joints, then Mitsu corp would be having the dealers replace the ball joint instead of the whole lower control arm. It would be required to do so. FYI, I had to have mine replaced under warranty and it was the control arms replaced.
2 questions Mr. Genius.
1. How much labor is involved with removing and replacing the lower control arm?
2. How much labor is involved with removing and replacing the lower control arm and removing the ball joint and installing a new ball joint?
The ball joints are completely serviceable. If you really wanted too, you could rebuild the ball joint altogether by repacking it with grease and replacing the dust cover as stated on page 33A-16 vol. 2 of the service manual. The reason most people and shops don't do this is because it is labor intensive.
Apr 30, 2008, 10:00 PM
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I've heard different things, but mostly I think it's a shutter in the steering that might come and go, or a clicking/popping noise while turning the steering wheel you can probably also feel with your feet and hands.
You can also check it by jacking the tire up off the ground, grabbing it from the top and bottom and trying to rock it up and down. If there is slop in the ball joint, you will be able to move the wheel/tire in and out near the bottom where the ball joint is.
You can also check it by jacking the tire up off the ground, grabbing it from the top and bottom and trying to rock it up and down. If there is slop in the ball joint, you will be able to move the wheel/tire in and out near the bottom where the ball joint is.
May 1, 2008, 11:48 AM
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we own a parts store.alot of cars are not meant to replace ball joints but after markets company make use of this opportunity to make ball joints so you can press out the old ones and replace them.why you think you dont see genuine ball joints?you can only purchase the control arm.probably there are companies out there make after market ball joints but really and truly they not suppose to exist
