Lowered My Car Today But Didn't Mean To....Blown Balljoint...Pics Galore!!!

[EDM95]

That sux man, atleast you were going slow when it came off.

 

[casperfast]

so when they are worn the kinda pop when you go up say a driveway turning correct?

 

[gsxAWDdsm692]

so when they are worn the kinda pop when you go up say a driveway turning correct?

My suspension clunks when I go over bumps. Idk if it's the ball joints or just a beat high mileage suspension.

 

[BoostedinSoFla]

Both of the lower control arms (lateral and compression) have their own ball joint. The one that failed in this case was the lateral arm.

Yea, I noticed you posted a few links of the lateral arms but the one that failed is the Lower control arm ball joint; my laterals are fine.

My suspension clunks when I go over bumps. Idk if it's the ball joints or just a beat high mileage suspension.

It could be any part of your suspension. Upper, lower, lateral, struts?? My suspension made clunking noises when I hit bumps, train tracks and such and come to think of it right before I made that right turn I went over some train tracks pretty fast and I heard a loud clunk.
Just jack your car up and check for any torn boots and such. I just went over my entire suspension today and the Lower control arm ball joint on the driver's side is also bad and looks like it's on it's way out also. Both will be changed, now I just need to find a damn CV halfshaft locally.

 

[turbosax2]

Maybe I have my names confused here. I thought the "lateral arm" is the straight lower control arm (the one that has the ball joint that failed on you) and the "compression arm" is the curved lower control arm.

 

[BoostedinSoFla]

Maybe I have my names confused here. I thought the "lateral arm" is the straight lower control arm (the one that has the ball joint that failed on you) and the "compression arm" is the curved lower control arm.

Ah, f..ck! I'm mixing them up, sorry about that. Just ordered them today and mixing them up already...

 

[uni_gst]

Yea, I believe this was the brazilian dsmer that it happened to. I've always seen this and laughed and now look at my POS.

No, thats actually my dsm.

 

[silver bullit]

Since this is a recall do they have to pay for any and all damages?

 

[cs82685]

Does it normally take out the fender when it fails?

Mine from just a glance didn't even look like anything was wrong with it. The car just wouldn't move when I tried to move it No damage to the fender though.

Since this is a recall do they have to pay for any and all damages?

Probably not since the recall was already performed. When it happened to me I was unaware of the recall and still very new to the cars so it was towed and fixed at a shop for ~$700 a month or two later I received a letter about the recall needing to be performed. A few more months bitching and they cut a check for all out of pocket expenses.

 

[BoostedinSoFla]

No, thats actually my dsm.

I knew it was somewhere outside the lower 48's.

 

[kmoore]

Can you just go to your local Mitsu dealer and ask if your car has had the lower ball joint recall done or what? Do they look up your VIN or jack up the car or what?

And one more time- How can you tell if your ball joints are bad? Push the wheel towards the inside of the car and pull the wheel away from the car, and if you can do this then your ball joints are shot?

I'm a little paranoid if you can't tell.

 

[BoostedinSoFla]

Can you just go to your local Mitsu dealer and ask if your car has had the lower ball joint recall done or what? Do they look up your VIN or jack up the car or what?

And one more time- How can you tell if your ball joints are bad? Push the wheel towards the inside of the car and pull the wheel away from the car, and if you can do this then your ball joints are shot?

I'm a little paranoid if you can't tell.

Just bring your VIN to one of the service guys and they'll look it up in the computer for you. You can also have them do a visual inspection for you but I'm not sure if it will be free. I think the best thing to do is just call and speak to the service department and ask if they'll do a free inspection; I went there in person because I wanted to look at the computer myself to make sure the recall was done. I've also noticed that when you do a carfax report it usually lists any recalls done on the car in the past or any open/new recalls. As for doing it yourself, the main thing to do is check all the boots and see if they are torn. Even sometimes people have told me that the boot might not be torn but they still might be worn out and lacking enough grease. This was the case when I changed my inner and outer tie rods; the boots were in good shape but both sides needed to be replaced; just wished I had done the LCA's at the same time.

 

[95CarbonEclipse]

Another way to do a self test is to jack the wheel up off the ground and grab the tire on both sides (front and rear sides) and try to physically turn the wheel left and right. There shouldn't be any slop between the wheel turning and the rest of the suspension. If there is, then you've got a bad ball joint.

It's not so much in and out slop, but more left to right turning slop that you're looking for.

 

[GS-T_Newboost]

yea that sucks it happened to me but luckly i was pulling into my driveway

 

[Car_guy_09]

You guys have me worried now, My carfax shows the recall but doesn't say it was fixed. And i have noticed when i turn i get a little screeching sometimes, And the car has 98,500 miles on it... I think im gonna call the the mitsu dealer rite now.....

 

[Black91TSiAWD]

the upper control arms are what creak like that, not sure what happens when they let go but Im sure it isnt good either


A good way to test the LCA's is to just jack it up, grab each one and just jerk it around, maybe use a prybar to check for play in them. They all should be solid.

 

[asexton6969]

I had this happen to me when I was 16. I had to drive 16 miles each way to school. One morning this older ladies exhaust fell off going 55 mph and I had to swerve VERY hard to miss it. I passed her, got in to the small town my school was in. Stopped at the stop sign, took off and boom. Heard something pulled over and the car just basically fell on the tire. No damage surprisingly. Still had to walk a mile to school. GRRR and I didn't know about the recall either. Called my dad up and he came and fixed it while I was in school. (Trust me I tried to get out to work on it. He wasn't having it)

Upper ball joints can be pressed out. MOOG upper ball joints from O'reillys are like $35 a piece.

The lower lateral arm (straight) is like $35 as well.
Compression Arm (curved) was like $160. Those suck my car had one bolt busted off. Went to take the other bolt out and snap.... that was a fun day. Hate rust.

 

[Car_guy_09]

the upper control arms are what creak like that, not sure what happens when they let go but Im sure it isnt good either


A good way to test the LCA's is to just jack it up, grab each one and just jerk it around, maybe use a prybar to check for play in them. They all should be solid.

Yea my brother told me to do that and i did and it felt solid on one side and the other side BARELY moved just a hair back and forth, Also my tie rod ends are shot, i dont know if that is related or not... (sorry for kinda thread hijacking)

 

[BoostedinSoFla]

I ordered my parts from these guys. I got quite a few recommendations and they are local. They have all kind of suspension parts, especially for our cars.

eBay Seller: bestsuspension: eclipse, Parts Accessories, eBay Motors items on eBay.com

 

[Mr Peepers]

Beautiful car by the way.

My friend's 2g is starting to make noises as well

 

[gsxAWDdsm692]

Yea, I wish I had a 2gb with no rust.

 

[Car_guy_09]

Yea, I wish I had a 2gb with no rust.

Im not trying to brag but..... ........

 

[gsxAWDdsm692]

Im not trying to brag but..... ........

2gb GSX I might add lulz

 

[nomowobl_95tsi]

mine did that not too long ago. sucks man lower ball joints

 

[DSMunknown]

Kinda makes me want to do something about mine. (Only kinda, though.)