The daughter did it again. Got nicked in the front passenger fender busting out the upper ball joint of what I think is an upper control arm. It was dark before I got it home on a trailer and felt around in there It feels like there is a ball joint socket in the inside of the strut plate hanging over the top of the spring. That socket is jagged and half a socket now. It looks like the control arm itself is ok. But here is the question, finally!

What has to be replaced to replace that socket? Is it the top plate for the strut, cause it looks like the thing is pressed in or something?

You guys us me through the lower control bushing install when we first got it and I'm betting you can get us through this too.

Thanks!

 

Im guessing youre referring to the upper arm itself, since there isnt anythig like a plate in there, above the shock/spring.
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The whole upper arm needs to be replaced - you cant just change the ball joint (yes, it is very stupid)




Id just buy a used one off ebay. The ball joint itself typically lasts a very long time, so as long as you ask a seller before hand, "is the ball joint firm/hard to move around?" youre probably good to go.

You will have to remove the battery to replace the passenger side arm.
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If Im all wrong in what youre talking about...yeah, a pic would be great help

 

I got blasted for not adding pictures. Appropriate critisizm accepted. I am working on Pictures. Will be later tonight.

But according to the diagram you sent it looks like I got to get that entire thing in the middle there that has the big hole in the middle that i assume is where the axle goes through. Bet it aint cheap or easy to find used.

 

 

 

nah, not blasting you, just saying...

From what I see, you just need an upper arm, like I suggested.

Its hard to say if the knuckle ("that entire thing in the middle there that has the big hole in the middle") is bent. Theyre pretty strong, but I really cant tell if its creased or bent out of shape or not in that pic
(if youre unsure, just compare it to the driver side )

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pdiggitydogg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">nah, not blasting you, just saying...

From what I see, you just need an upper arm, like I suggested.

Its hard to say if the knuckle ("that entire thing in the middle there that has the big hole in the middle") is bent. Theyre pretty strong, but I really cant tell if its creased or bent out of shape or not in that pic
(if youre unsure, just compare it to the driver side )</TD></TR></TABLE>

x2

 

Just change the entire upper control arm. They come with balljoints. Problem solved.

 

I wasn't being a smartie on the blasted thing. I should have slung some pictures out here early into the discussion but was confused how to do it and had to search for how. Thank you for instructions, Padawan - Dark Mod of the Sith

So I was confused looking at what I had and then looking at the diagram. It now seems to be the upper control arm is rotated downward and replacing it and rotating it upward will alow it to line up with the top of the vertical piece on the knuckle. Now I just have to do it. Then its on to replaceing the fender, bumper. headlight, and door. The top line of the fender is not incroaching on the hood and the hood closes easily and latches as well as the door. With a little luck it won't take too much to get the back connections for the bumper and the lower mounts of the fender to liine up. Then it's time.

As always, Thanks guys!

 

Rotated downward my butt that thing's bent all to get out!