Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement

[andrewwynn]

Found some bad news. This is a quote from a company that MAKES special bushing for the other side of control arms:

When the ball joint at the wheel end of the arm is used up, the Moosehead UCAB can be easily pressed out of the control arm and pressed back into a replacement arm,

If a company that builds bearings for control arms moves their bushing to a new arm when the wheel side ball joint wears out it's not looking good for your prospect. Also when watching a video of meyleHD control arm fabrication they used the term "flanged" describing how the ball joint end is added this sounds like the steel of the arm is forged around the ball joint making it one with the end and not a part that can be removed and replaced.

The ball itself could be removed and replaced but are you going to get the next bigger ball?

I found examples with the aluminum arms where the ball joint can be pressed out for replacement but all signs are the wheel end is a permanent fix. Let us know if your find out otherwise and I'll cut mine in half maybe right though the middle of the ball for a post mortem that will answer at least is it possible. (eg if the steel is Forged around the ball joint forget it). My estimate is they made a trade off of size to make the end smaller made it staked on vs a pressed into solution.

I'm aiming for within a month to replace my arms with meyleHD as an upgrade to the stock arms (due to my proclivities of driving over curbs regularly).

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

Found some bad news. This is a quote from a company that MAKES special bushing for the other side of control arms:

When the ball joint at the wheel end of the arm is used up, the Moosehead UCAB can be easily pressed out of the control arm and pressed back into a replacement arm,

If a company that builds bearings for control arms moves their bushing to a new arm when the wheel side ball joint wears out it's not looking good for your prospect. Also when watching a video of meyleHD control arm fabrication they used the term "flanged" describing how the ball joint end is added this sounds like the steel of the arm is forged around the ball joint making it one with the end and not a part that can be removed and replaced.

The ball itself could be removed and replaced but are you going to get the next bigger ball?

I found examples with the aluminum arms where the ball joint can be pressed out for replacement but all signs are the wheel end is a permanent fix. Let us know if your find out otherwise and I'll cut mine in half maybe right though the middle of the ball for a post mortem that will answer at least is it possible. (eg if the steel is Forged around the ball joint forget it). My estimate is they made a trade off of size to make the end smaller made it staked on vs a pressed into solution.

I'm aiming for within a month to replace my arms with meyleHD as an upgrade to the stock arms (due to my proclivities of driving over curbs regularly).

I replaced the bushings on my guide links this past weekend. I looked closely at the ball joints and they appear to have been pressed in. Hard to tell for sure, but it doesn't look like they were staked on the bolt end of the ball. I didn't screw with them since I wasn't replacing the whole arm. I will be replacing the front lower control arms this weekend and will have those to mess with to see how those are built. If the ball joints look like they are pressed in I'll see if I can press one out. If I can then it's trying to figure out where to procure a replacement.

[Fifty150hs]

I replaced the front lower control arms. Since they are now "spares" for warranty return, I tried to take one of the ball joints apart to see if they are pressed in. They are not. I pulled the boot off and it became obvious how the joints on these particular arms are constructed. (see photos) The side of the control arm where the ball joint arm extends is machined, the ball joint inserted into the opposite side and then it is capped and the cap is staked or crimped in place. No swapping these ball joints.

[jopecasa]

I've never done this...Check for snap ring on top.

Removed epoxy or glue...and years of gunk.

Let us know how you go.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by jopecasa

I've never done this...Check for snap ring on top.

Removed epoxy or glue...and years of gunk.

Let us know how you go.

No snap ring that I can see.

[andrewwynn]

It's as I suspected I still may saw mine in half right through the ball joint top to bottom to confirm 100%.

[Fifty150hs]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

It's as I suspected I still may saw mine in half right through the ball joint top to bottom to confirm 100%.

I'd love to see the results if you do.

[jopecasa]

This might help....