Replacing Upper Ball Joints

cogito

My left upper ball joint seems to have gone south on me, so I need to replace it. I looked on Rock Auto and there are a bunch of parts from different manufacturers, ranging in price from around $12 to $90. I've never worked on these things before and am clueless about which ones are good, etc. Here's the Rcok Auto link:

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

Can anyone give me some advice on how to proceed?

ragenasian

For 35 rockauto has a complete upper control arm with new bushings and ball joint. I would go that route if it were me.

cogito

OK, which part is that? The only one I see for 35 is a Raybestos lower joint. Are you looking at the page I posted?

ragenasian

It is from Dorman, and not under the ball joints, it is under the control arm section and the part number is 520611.

cogito

OK, I see it. Does that part contain both ball joints or only the upper one? There is no description on the webpage.

ragenasian

The top only has one ball joint, you aren't go to get both. I only say get the whole thing because of the price. Gives you a little piece of mind knowing that your bushings are new as well. Throw a new ball joint in, then a couple of weeks down the road end up replacing bushings too. Again just me as there will be differing view points on how things should be done.

cogito

Thanks for your help!

cogito

I got the part and put it on today. No problems, except having to return the first one because the parts guy gave me a right instead of a left arm. Thanks for the help.

ragenasian

Glad it all worked out!