help! lower control arm/ball joint recall?

[etay89]

First, I know I'm digging up an old beat topic. I did do my research and I can't draw any results, so I need help.

Sometimes, whenever I brake, my brakes (or something front end related) makes this high pitched broken duck-call like sound. I figured it was pads and rotors. Whenever I made sharp right turns, my strut squeaked as well.

So the other day, a fellow DSM'er and I checked out my struts on my front passenger side. Well the strut was blown, no biggie (replaced it), but what we (mainly the fellow dsm'er helping me) noticed was that my lower control arm/ball joint are very bad. he literally could move the ball joint around so needless to say, it needs replaced.

He told me that there was a recall on the lower control arm/ball joint, so I got on google and here to check and there was and clearly, there is. yeah, the recall's over a decade old but still.

So, I called my local Mitsu dealer and asked if there was such a recall and they said no. This is something I gotta take care of immediately, since it IS my daily project and second DSM...I blew up the first one, I don't wanna mess this one up either.

Maybe I'm contacting the wrong dealer? or a d-bag rep? Should I try Chrysler/Dodge? or should I bite the bullet and just replace it outta my own pocket? for the record, how long of an install time are we talkin as well.

 

[MrBoxx]

There IS a recall on the lower ball joint/control arm. As far as I know, from the discussions I've read, the recall is a safety recall, and is a lifetime recall. They are obligated to follow the procedures outlined in the recall. If it truly is bad, then they are required to replace the part.

 

[etay89]

There IS a recall on the lower ball joint/control arm. As far as I know, from the discussions I've read, the recall is a safety recall, and is a lifetime recall. They are obligated to follow the procedures outlined in the recall. If it truly is bad, then they are required to replace the part.

This much I figured. I called 2 local Mitsu dealers and asked about it. They both said no which totally threw me off guard. I asked the previous owner if they had this problem and they told me no. The dealer looked up my VIN to see if this got fixed and they said no. I think I'm gettin yanked around by both of them. Damn shame.

 

[MrBoxx]

Ask them about TSB # SR-04-001 issued in January 04.

Or maybe it's TSB Number Issue Date TSB Title 827 JUL 99 Recall - Lower Lateral Arm Ball Joint Boots
99V066003 APR 99 Recall 99V066003: Lower Ball Joint Separation

"Defect: On certain passenger vehicles, the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joint can become damaged, allowing dirt and water intrusion, which can cause excessive wear of the ball joint. The ball joint could then separate.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the ball joint boots and, if cut or damaged, the lower lateral arm will be replaced. Owner notification was expected to begin during May 1999. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Mitsubishi at 1-800-222-0037. "

Nature of Defect:
1. SUSPENSION:INDEPENDENT FRONT CONTROL ARM:LOWER:BALL JOINT Recall Number: 00V421001
Dates Manufactured: MAR 1994 to JUN 1999
Number of Vehicles Affected: 567432
Date Owners Notified On: MAR 2001

Vehicle: 1997 Mitsubishi Eclipse
Defect Description:
Vehicle Description: Passenger vehicles. If the rubber boots on the lower lateral arm ball joints of the front suspension were damaged during assembly, dirt and water can intrude. Also, MMC has added the potential of leaking moisture, which can cause the ball stud to corrode.

Consequence of Defect:
This condition could cause the lower lateral arm ball joint to separate, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. This campaign supercedes MMC's previous safety recall campaign, see 99V-066.

Corrective Action:
Dealers will inspect the lower lateral arm ball joint for wear. Ball joints that exhibit wear beyond the established tolerance will be replaced with newly designed lateral arm ball joints. Ball joints that are within the established tolerance will be cleaned and a special sealant will be applied to prevent intrusion of moisture.

The good news is, even if it were a one-time recall, they've already told you that it HASN'T BEEN DONE YET. So before you drop the above news on them, go to the dealership, and ask the service manager one more time, in person, "Has this recall been to my car, with the VIN ____?" And when he says no, tell him to look up the recall information as posted. Then make an appointment to have your ball joints replaced for free.

 

[etay89]

+1 Major help. Now I just gotta make time to get up to the dealer (working everyday 10+ hrs doesnt help the cause)

 

[95g-s-x]

There is a post in the classified for $50 shipped for both sides. I just got one side, and my 12 yr old son replaced it today in 40 mins.

 

[Boosted_talon98]

There is a post in the classified for $50 shipped for both sides. I just got one side, and my 12 yr old son replaced it today in 40 mins.

scroll down and look at OEM knuckle resolved.. I bought new knuckle and all new ball joints and control arms from dealer for liek 240 SHIPPED.. shipping was like 100 or something it was 2 big boxes

 

[rush2252]

Ive known about this recall, but for some reason got my two DSMs mixed up. It was VERY obvious when I was driving today (with my four year old son in the car) and I heard a popping noise. I noticed right away ball joint. I head home and everything is A okay. It didnt sound horrible I just noticed whenver I went over a bump it made the usual clunking noise.

As we are turning up our street I hear this aweful thud and what feels like my passenger wheel buckled and rolled under the car. I immediately stop and get out. Sure enough ball joint completely seperated. I got it towed by a local tow service for $85 and thankfully by some miracle me and my son are still alive as it didnt happen a few moments before when we were travling on the interstate at 65mph+

My question is, I know this is a recall and the dealership is supposed to change it free of charge, but any chance I have a leg to stand on trying to make them eat the tow bill? I would like some input before I go changing the part myself. Its $44.95 from Oreillys with the lower control arm included. I would spend twice that getting it towed to the nearest mitsu dealer.

Thanks,
Kolby

 

[etay89]

The tow, you probably don't stand a chance. The question they're gonna ask is if you knew about it prior, which u did. And also, call the dealer and make sure that the service hasn't been performed already. Ran into this problem with my gst

 

[Kickerbeast]

I was at a dealer and did a ton of these. The problem is they were going out at low mileage. They fixed the problem and now you have high mileage ones going out and people are comming back to the recall. I'm not sure the details anymore since I've gotten out of the service industry, but I believe there was a cutoff date for the recall. If your car has 40k on it and they are bad, ya that is a recall. If you have 120k, then that is just normal wear, replace them. Also, learn to inspect your car or take it someplace once a year to have checked out. This is a normal item that I check every time the tires are off the ground on my car.

 

[etay89]

As I was told, the recall was a one time deal. Once they're replaced, they can't be again

 

[dsmtun3r98gst]

I was at a dealer and did a ton of these. The problem is they were going out at low mileage. They fixed the problem and now you have high mileage ones going out and people are comming back to the recall. I'm not sure the details anymore since I've gotten out of the service industry, but I believe there was a cutoff date for the recall. If your car has 40k on it and they are bad, ya that is a recall. If you have 120k, then that is just normal wear, replace them. Also, learn to inspect your car or take it someplace once a year to have checked out. This is a normal item that I check every time the tires are off the ground on my car.

I don't think it matter whether it has low or high mileage. I had about 140,000 miles on my gst at that time and took it to the dealer for some isnpection and one of the guys told me that there is a recall on my lower control arms and that they were going to fix it right away .

 

[Kickerbeast]

If you haven't had them done before, then yes they would generally replace them. I'm just saying that people are thinking they get lifetime replacement of ball joints. Everyone has to remember that most of these were done when the vehicle has low miles on them, like 40 or under, maybe 60 tops. So now that car that has 140k on it and needs ball joints because they are just warn out are compaining ### they heard there was a recall and they should have it done. If someone really wants to check, call the Mitsu customer service. They should be able to check your VIN and answer your questions about the recall.

 

[rush2252]

I was told that the balljoints if not replaced would seperate, the problem is most balljoints dont seperate under normal conditions. Mine did, however I have also been told that if they have been replaced once and it happens again then they will replace them again, because they arent supposed to seperate under "normal conditions." The car has 145k I believe the service manual calls for inspection at 60k and then replace if necessary. I know they have been replaced at least once, that is why I assumed that the noise wasnt anything to worry about at that moment.

 

[Kickerbeast]

You have to remember that "normal" conditions includes some wear and play. They won't seperate with some play, but any ball joint will seperate with exessive wear, doesn't matter whose it is. I've seen it on many makes and models, they will all come apart if you let them go. The recall fixed a design flaw that made them wear prematurely. There is no way they could legally be put back on the road with a lifetime safety recall.

 

[Aceman]

I bet the confusion lies in that it is a "lifetime" safety recall, and therefore if the original balljoints are bad at any time they must be replaced because DSM decided it could be declared a manufacturing defect in almost every case. I bet reps at the Chrysler and Mitsu HQ's mistake this for meaning it gets replaced every time for the lifetime of the car and they tell the dealer to fix it and some dealers don't argue and some do.

 

[Arnie]

Ive known about this recall, but for some reason got my two DSMs mixed up. It was VERY obvious when I was driving today (with my four year old son in the car) and I heard a popping noise. I noticed right away ball joint. I head home and everything is A okay. It didnt sound horrible I just noticed whenver I went over a bump it made the usual clunking noise.

As we are turning up our street I hear this aweful thud and what feels like my passenger wheel buckled and rolled under the car. I immediately stop and get out. Sure enough ball joint completely seperated. I got it towed by a local tow service for $85 and thankfully by some miracle me and my son are still alive as it didnt happen a few moments before when we were travling on the interstate at 65mph+

My question is, I know this is a recall and the dealership is supposed to change it free of charge, but any chance I have a leg to stand on trying to make them eat the tow bill? I would like some input before I go changing the part myself. Its $44.95 from Oreillys with the lower control arm included. I would spend twice that getting it towed to the nearest mitsu dealer.

Thanks,
Kolby

Looks like I am bringing up an old thread!!!!!

I noticed something similar about my Eclipse and his. I hear these loud noises from the rear suspension when I hit a bump, or go into holes, floors messed up etc...

So I am curious how much would they charge to replace this problem? Anyone mods or fellow DSM'er knows? Free recall? I know best thing to do is call, I will be ding that when I have money until then I am just a bit curious!