shot upper ball joint

oilspot

While checking out my new wagon I found that the passenger side upper ball joint is toast! I started trying to source one locally and they're pretty expensive! Expensive enough that it would cost about the same to go with a set of skunk 2 adjustable setup.

I am going to lower this wagon also (of course!) but not as much as my red wagon.

Anyway.
who carries a good deal on the oem units? I've heard mixed reviews on the adjustable ones so I'm not leaning towards aftermarket ones.

sobe_death

The uppers come as an assembly-the A-arm with the ball joint already pressed in. That is probably why you will find they are so expensive.

If you go adjustable, I would rec. the Skunk2 upper arms. They are a bit pricey, but there is a reason for that

noahrexion

You can find them on EBay for next to nothing. I bought an entire kit for this car for $100; came with both uppers, lowers, tie rods (inner and outer) and end links.

I would however recommend - for max tire wear and OEM handling characteristics only - some adjustables if you are planning on lowering this. Not only are they adjustable but really nice quality and durable to boot.

oilspot

I was looking at the ebay option. What was you opinion on the quality of the parts you got?
I mean, making a balljoint isn't rocket science. Copying dimensions and reproducing a part isn't either. But was the unit as stout as stock?
The biggest complaint with chinese knock off stuff (my experience is mostly with motorcycle stuff) is that they use a horrible quality of steel. And that the parts are made of a thinner steel than oem parts are made of.

That, also is what scares me about stuff like the skunk 2 adjustable balljoint units. I've found that even a lot of the big name companys just use cheap chinese crap themselves.

fettcols

I bought the same kit from ebay, haven't got around to doing it yet. It looks pretty good from what I've seen, I haven't opened everything up yet though. It came with inner and out tie-rods, upper and lower ball joints w/ upper control arm, and sway bar bushings as well. It runs im my mind the parts were made in Canada, or maybe they were shipped from Canada... I'll have to check.

I need to pick up some more parts before doing the ultimate front end rebuild. I have new CV's and struts waiting too. My plan is going all out with wheel bearings and brakes. Might even replace the lower control arm bushings too. I really wish I had a shop press.