Is it true that you have to replace the whole upper control arm in order to replace a bad upper ball joint?

Wes Vann

 

Yes, the only way that my parts supplier will sell the upper ball joint is in the whole arm assembly. Best to go to a yard and get one that is still good from there. Otherwise the new arms are waay more expensive then one from the yard.

 

yeah very expensive-they run over 100 a side.trust me i just had it done.

 

man that sux for you guys........ i work at an autoparts store that sells them new for about 50 a side. already ordered new ones for my hf............ civbeeater if ur in nj try to find a local abc auto parts store......

 

yeah i got mine new with lifetime warranty for around 65 dollars a side (the whole arm)

i hear that 90+ civics have a ball joint you can pres out and put a new one in, but the 88-89's have the balljoint as part of the arm. you can buy special balljoints to correct camber adn what not if you have one you can press out, BUT all you get is the ball joint and it is more expensive than the new arm i got from autozone.

your call.

 

i got the spc balljoint camber kit i didnt have to replace the arm

 

SPC adjustable ball joints
easy install, kill two birds with one stone
HTH
chris

 

I went to the SPC site and if I understand it, it looks like the "replacement" ball joint is significantly taller than the stock one. As a result, it would cause the upper arm at a higher angle (at rest) and as a result would change the camber curve. That's not to say that it would cause a problem, but I'd be conserned!

Wes Vann

 

You are prob correct. One thing I noticed on mine, the arm does not hit that lip under the fender like the kits that push the whole arm out. Seems to me that under compression, the camber would be more negative. Might be a good thing? I've had no probs with my adj balljoints, the Honda tech who aligned my car went nuts over the ball joints.
chris

 

how much did your spc ball joints cost you? i am thinking of getting them on my car. thanks.

 

purchased them 8-03-01 from http://www.philsinc.com/ for $70.00/side. $146.50 total including shipping. Easy install!
HTH
chris