Front Control Arm and ball joint AWD

[flaatr]

I think one of my ball joints is bad... I get a clunk from the front during had cornering...

I was told that replacing the ball joint correctly is a pain and that I am better off buying a replacement control arm with a new ball joint installed than to replace the part on my arm... This advice cam from a guy who works at a shop that does DSM and EVO work exclusively.

Does this seem reasonable?

-Raffi

 

[bryanwheat]

It's real easy to check them. Jack the car up, remove the wheel than pry the control arm down and see is there is any play in the joint. It is real easy to change the ball joint if you have a press, or if you rent the ball joint tool from the parts store. You can get the ball joints from rockauto.com for like 20 bucks or less. You don't even have to remove the control arm from the car if you rent the tool. Just pop the ball joint loose from the knuckle, swing the control arm down and you will have enough room to do it there.

 

[Spoolin92GSX]

If you were paying the labor for them to do it, it might make sense to replace the whole arm, but if you do it yourself like Bryan said it's not too hard at all.

 

[spyderdrifter]

Only the 2gs are required to have the entire arm replaced for the ball joint. I just went through that a month ago.

 

[i3oi3c78]

Very easy to replace the ball joint, they just press out and in. I just did both fronts on my gsx. I bought the tool from harbor frieght, I think I payed $60 for it.

 

[steve]

Replacing the ball joint makes sense if the rest of the lower control arm is in good shape.

The rubber bushings go bad over time but there are poly replacements available.

The arm that goes into the rear mount can corrode and then the LCA is trashed. It's real common in the rust belt but in San Jose you may not see it.

 

[flaatr]

Good info... I'm assuming the ball joint is bad, I haven't checked it. In a hard corner I get a loud clunk from the left front...

I'm doing coilovers/swaybars/poly bushings soon so my plan was to replace the ball joints anyway. I'll spend a few minutes with the manual and look into getting a tool... doesn't sound too hard.

-Raffi