I am currently trying to replace the upper ball joints in my 89 DX hatchback. It appears that the upper ball joints are welded to the UCA?
Is there a specific year UCA I can get so that I can replace my upper ball joints?
Are there any aftermarket parts to fix this?
Or will I have to actually purchase a whole new UCA....
Someone, please let me know.

 

Plenty of aftermarket stuff for that. If I believe right, they are pressed in.

 

I set up a press using my workbench vise, a socket, and a rear shock.
Ended up royally screwing up my UCA..
I've been searching for a definite answer, but I can't find one. The instructions that came with the ball joint have a warning. Something about a "limited number" of 88-90 UCAs having a welded ball joint. The car I got these UCAs off of is a 91, so the mystery continues
Anyone with a 91, can you check your front Upper Control Arms and see if there is a snap ring on it?

 

cant speak for most but i did mine in my 91 dx they were pressed in and on the inside there is a c clip undo the clip and i took a socket and put the control arm on a steel wheel and pounded it out came right out after couple good hits new one slides right in just use the the new c clip

 

Similar to replacing the lower ones I see.
Could you take a picture of this C clip???

 

my 91 si has snap rings holding in the upper balljoints. although i just replaced the whole arm. 80 bucks. done in 10 minutes

 

Well, that's that then.
I have to replace the whole arm, and get lucky finding 91 UCAs.
Thanks dooods.

 

I had a problem where the upper balljoints didn't press in tight. Made noise because there was play. I ended up just replacing both arms.

 

theres no luck involved...just go to the parts store and ask them for the upper balljoint. there is an option now tho to buy just the balljoint or the entire upper control arm. before they werent seperate.

 

their is a C shape clip. the ball joint is pressed in. if you were looking to get new arms look into Moog or maybe even skunk2.

 

when mine went, i just bought the skunk2 pro series.. about $200 i think. the rest of the suspension is still stock, though i'm putting new tie rods in this w/e. when something breaks, i like upgrading it. at least i think it's an upgrade.. go with adjustability!

 

the transition from a welded upper balljoint to a pressed on/circlip style is uncertain. its not exactly 88-89 vs 90-91. but a 91 should have a pressed on style arm.

yeah you can get replacement balljoints now, but that also requires having the right arm that isnt already welded, like the OP's situation.

however, im not surprised to hear manny's situation where even after replacing the balljoint, there was play because of the press fit interface is only good for one application. you could try shimming it tho.

still, for the cost of a GOOD replacement balljoint, $60, vs a whole NEW OEM arm with new bushings and a balljoint already pre assembled for about $100... it seems the new OEM arm is the better buy.

balljoints shouldnt be THAT much of a wear item that they need constant servicing that the difference in price is going to matter in the long run. good ones at least.

 

ya why pay extra a ball joint is like 20 bucks if u put the clip back on and its still got play throw a tac weld on there and ur good to go some factory arms come with a tac weld thats probly what the op has or some one replaced it and welded it because it didnt fit tight just grind the weld and pound it out easy as pie

 

the welded OEM arms are much more than tack welded on. they are fully welded around, no sense to try to reuse those early arms.

 

I have extra UCAs with good balljoints for cheap if anyone wants some

 

also the replacement balljoints are now adjustable style joints. i asked for ones that werent adjustable so i wouldnt have to worry bout camber adjustment. thats whats available now i guess. i opted for the entire UCA

 

88 and 89 are welded 90 91 are pressed just get some upper control arms from a 90 91 with good ball joints and when those **** you can replace em or do it all at once it's 5 bucks at my local pull a part for both