95 tsi lower ball joint...easier fix? replaceable?

[blamclep]

Ive been searching this site for two days, and i cant seem to find if the bottom joints are even servicable as far as to press new joints into the control arms. are they? if so anyone know the part numbers of the balljoints they used. i can get the recall done again at a dealership by my house but they are two weeks out for appointments. and i cant get solid info on whether the recall covers both joints on the bottom or just the straight control arm one. i have the c shaped one that is bad.

I can do this myself if the joints are servicable. if not then io guess my car sits at the dealer. the straight one isnt bad, its 60 bucks but the c shaped one is 219.00 for the passenger side and the drivers side is 319.00. thanks ahead for any help.




cory

 

[shawn149]

You have to replace the whole lower balljoint. I have tried to press the old one out my self and it dont come out and i talked to a friend who is a class-A mechanic he also said its the whole lower that has to be replaced and there not cheap.

 

[absolute_DSM]

I have heard of people finding the ball joints and pressing them in, but Im not sure of where to get them. It may have just been heresay.

Heres some part numbers for the arms.
Left side -
straight arm - MR296295
curved arm - MR296287

Right side -
straight arm - MR296296
curved arm - MR296288

Looking into mitsubishiparts.com the straight arms are about $30.00 and the curved are about $150.00.

You can get these on ebayMotors but I cant vouch for quality.
Eclipse Control Arms

EDIT - I would get everything you can get fixed at the dealership for no cost. They are not hard at all to replace but its less money coming out of your pocket.

 

[blamclep]

thanks guys..i have kinda figured im at the mercy of the dealership. i wont even try the ebay ones . ive seen them but with the ball joint faling issue id rather not be doin 130 mph and hit the ground so i am going to get them to fix it and then sell the 95 and buy another 92 awd at least i can fix those kinda cheaper. well time to put a body kit on it and rims and sell it . thanks again.



hey also is it both ball joints recalled? or just one of them? ive read that its the straight arm thats covered is this correct? its the curved one thats shot the others seem fine.


TIA

cory

 

[absolute_DSM]

You could easily pick up used parts for a LOT cheaper.

 

[blcknspo0ln]

I have heard of people finding the ball joints and pressing them in, but Im not sure of where to get them. It may have just been heresay.

It wasn't hearsay. I thought it was too, but memory says that you can obtain just the ball joint. IMO, spend the $300 or whatever to get new OEM arms. This is a small investment to prevent a *knock on wood* catastrophic failing at highway speeds. This is just another one of those 'don't eff around with' safety options that you really shouldn't skimp on. Trust me, I don't want to hear about another ball joint failing JNZTuning is a great source of cheap OEM units. I wouldn't put my life at risk on those eBay arms.

FYI, the curved arm is the lower control arm, the straight arm is called the lateral arm.

 

[wret]

The lateral arms are cheap, about $30 from online OEM vendors and about $40 MSRP, $180/$250 for the compression arm. The lateral arms are the only ones affected by the recall, and the ones that tend to wear out. I have not heard of a ball joint replacement either but for 30 bucks, what's the point?

 

[blamclep]

well the lower or compression arm is the one thats bad . the others are fine. from what i can tell. i go to the dealer tomm and i will make em verify that whatever they replace on my car is covered . the lateral ones have no movement. but the curved one on the drivers side is about to fall out. now as far as the ebay ones i emailed the seller and they told me that their part is the same one everyone sells. that they are the supplier. and that is why their lower arm is only 60 bucks and a whopping 90 day warranty, and the right to refuse any claims of defect......right.....I dont think ill chance it. i dont care how cheap they are....you get what you pay for. if they dont do it at the dealer ill be buying them from mitsubishiparts.com they seem to have the best price for the quality part. ill post dealer results when i get the car back. itll be like tuesday probably before its done.



cory

 

[blamclep]

ok so the recall is only on the lateral arm not the compression or "curved arm". so im off to buy the stuff myself. thanks for the help from everyone. and so someone else can search this post . no the ball joint cant be replaced on the lower arms it has to be bought as a unit. so suckit up and spend the money be it ebay or dealer or some of the online stores mentioned here . this is what makes our cars "special"

 

[blamclep]

oh yeah anyone wanna trade my 95 for a 92? after the ball joints are fixed of course .

 

[blamclep]

well i replaced all the lower compression arms and was going to do the upper next. until one of my rods decided to come out land on the road . nothin like extra crank case ventilation.


cory