Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement
 

Anybody know if it is possible to replace the ball joints in the control arms? I am going to replace the bushings with poly, but that leaves the ball joints to eventually fail. The arms themselves don't wear out, so I'm thinking if it is possible to purchase replacement ball joints somewhere and press out the old and in the new, that might save some bucks.

Which control arms you are talking about? Front tension strut has a separate ball joint as is but on other parts it's virtually impossible to renew the ball joints without factory tools and good quality parts are not available separately.

Front lower control arms and rear control arms.

I would say that better to forget renewing those ball joints separately.

I figured as much, but thought I'd ask. There's a lot of experience on these forums. Thought maybe someone might have tried it. Thanks for your response!

On the arms I've replaced it was the ball joint that failed usually from the seal failing. Keep them supple with the magic transmission additive I forget the name but I have a bottle I'll look when I pass it next time.

When I did the whole front end last summer I used these guys for their pressed in metal bushings on their control arms. Recommended by a friend who is an SCCA instructor and X5 enthusiast https://mooseheadengineering.com/#!/...egory=13660412


If you're going to go through the trouble to pretty much disassemble the ball joints, then go all-in so you know that every bushing is fresh.

Any silicon based grease should do the trick. I've used ATE brake cylinder paste for every rubber part like dust seals and o-rings (mainly on the coolant system, makes it easy to install too). If you replace any of the original Lemförder parts the dust seals are usually still intact, so take them aside just in case.

The bushings will be fresh. They'll be poly. The poly bushings have a lifetime warranty so even if they do wear out at some point they get replaced for free. That's why I 'm looking for a way to replace the ball joints.

It's not easy...but I replaced my rear control arm ball joints. Definitely was needed after 186k miles. I also did the front control arm ball joints too. Tho...there's not that much rust here in the PNW.

I used this tool: https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tool...ece/449947_0_0

If you get a "loaner tool" with an arbor that is slightly bent...it makes everything difficult. Anyway...there's a trick to it. I will say that freezing the new ball joint def helps with installation.