Upper ball joint - Need advice right away!!

Octane · 02-17-03, 04:49 PM

Okay,
My car just went in the shop today to have my 3570 ingalls camber kit installed as well as some new lower ball joints. Well, it turns out my upper ball joints need to be replaced also, but Acura only sells them with the upper control arm which costs a WHOPPING $285 Canadian PER SIDE!! so I gotta dish out over $600 Canadian after tax if I don't figure something else out soon.

I wanted to know: could I buy the ingalls 3557 camber kit?? that would replace my upper ball joint, right?!?!

Apparently its hard to replace the upper ball joint in the existing upper control arm, thats why Acura only sells them together, so wouldn't that mean it may be hard/expensive to have the 3557 kit installed on my existing control arm???

Please help!! I have to get this figured out right away and order the part so I can get my car back on the road!!!!

(thank god I'm on vacation right now and don't require the car to drive to work and back for a few more days).

Octane · 02-17-03, 05:12 PM

I called around and the best price I could get was a local dealership (Acura of North Toronto) for $203 per side - I'm just gonna bite the bullet and buy them - saves me the hassle of having to get shipping then pay duty and be without my car for days...

I love this car, but sometimes the cost of proper upkeep just hurts

jedinyte120 · 02-17-03, 06:25 PM

octane
i bought the spc ball joint kit for my camber corection.if i am not mistaken,dont that replace the factory upper ball joint on the control arm?that ball joint goes on the tip of the upper arm right?like the top of the A?if that is it then its not that hard to put in.my mechanic just took the arm out,ripped off the rubber boot and compressed it out.any mechanic would have the ball joint press,but double check on that first before you order it.my mechanic also used a hammer and kinda flattened the tip of the arm for clearance just in case,and so far i havent had any problems.hope this helps bro.

rog

B-Lo · 02-17-03, 10:35 PM

http://catalog.thepartsbin.com/?year...mageField.y=12

Mckenzie93 · 02-17-03, 10:48 PM

The SOBs at Acura told me my Control arms were shot..... and they were perfectly fine... so I know how you feel.. and that is a pretty good price. I belieive I paid $215 each. That sux you have to repalce the balljoints though...... good luck...

B-Lo · 02-18-03, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mckenzie93
The SOBs at Acura told me my Control arms were shot..... and they were perfectly fine... so I know how you feel.. and that is a pretty good price. I belieive I paid $215 each. That sux you have to repalce the balljoints though...... good luck...

Were your ball joints making noises? How did you know they were bad?

Mckenzie93 · 02-18-03, 11:59 AM

They said the control arm bushings were worn, and when me and my friend took the suspension apart, the left side was like brand new, and the right side showed a tiny bit of wear. I though it was going to fix a wandering steering feeling, which I can now attribute to just having wide tires.... no problems with suspension what so ever.

Octane · 02-18-03, 01:12 PM

I could tell for a while that something was wrong with my suspension - on poor roads the front end just felt kinda clunky, like whenever the spring/shock was in transition between compression and rebound it felt loose and uncontrolled. Thats why I bought a set of lower ball joints to install when I had my suspension adjusted as I know they have not been replaced in atleast 100,000kms and possibly never. When my mechanic took everything apart, thats when he found out that the front passenger side upper ball joint was in tough shape - he recommended getting both sides done while the car is already apart to save on labour, which I agree with.

So now I will have new lower and upper ball joints and new poly bushings thanks to the 3570 camber kit - I can't wait to see how tight and responsive the suspension and steering will feel after its all done - especially with the CL S rims on the car!!

92coupeon18s · 02-18-03, 02:38 PM

yeah the 3557 replaces the whole upper ball joint. BUt i dont like mine.

SaGe69 · 02-18-03, 02:55 PM

Before you go wasting money on new upper control arms, call Standard Autowreckers (416)286-8686 and see if they have any good used ones available... I hit a curb pretty bad last year and had to replace my control arms & balljoints. I managed to pick up 2 very good condition upper control arms with perfect upper ball joints for $75 per side. Maybe I was lucky because they came off a 95 Sedan. But in any case, try them first or call some other local scrap yards. They won't sell you anything that isn't in perfect physical and working condition so you have nothing to loose.

Lates,
SaGe69

Octane · 02-18-03, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SaGe69
Before you go wasting money on new upper control arms, call Standard Autowreckers (416)286-8686 and see if they have any good used ones available... I hit a curb pretty bad last year and had to replace my control arms & balljoints. I managed to pick up 2 very good condition upper control arms with perfect upper ball joints for $75 per side. Maybe I was lucky because they came off a 95 Sedan. But in any case, try them first or call some other local scrap yards. They won't sell you anything that isn't in perfect physical and working condition so you have nothing to loose.

Lates,
SaGe69

Thanks for the advice, but unfortunately it's already done and I have the car back. It was alot of $$ but at least I can rest asured that I now have 4 brand new ball joints that will not give me any trouble for a long time to come. The other thing is that it now rides and handles amazing!! AND the stance is PERFECT!!!

(front passenger side on the lower perch and driverside on the upper perch)

SaGe69 · 02-18-03, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Octane

Thanks for the advice, but unfortunately it's already done and I have the car back. It was alot of $$ but at least I can rest asured that I now have 4 brand new ball joints that will not give me any trouble for a long time to come. The other thing is that it now rides and handles amazing!! AND the stance is PERFECT!!!
(front passenger side on the lower perch and driverside on the upper perch)

Did they realign your car for free or did you have to fork out $$$ for that too?

Looking forward to seeing your ride this Spring.

SaGe69

Octane · 02-18-03, 11:53 PM

I put new springs on the front, so I have to wait a few weeks for them to settle before getting an alignment, but it will be my coin to get that done.

I'll be getting the wheels and cross drilled rotors installed later this week, then all I want to get done before the summer is tint, paint the moldings and skirts, and maybe an exhaust. I have the stage II ECU, HID, LS leather shifter&wheel on the way. I also just got the "A-C-U-R-A" and "3.2L" emblems (off a new 3.2TL) from SammyD that I will be installing soon.

I can't wait for warmer weather to get another meet going!!

02-17-03, 04:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Octane Old S*hool Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Toronto, Ontario Canada Posts: 2,248 Car 1: Previous: 1991 Pewter Grey Metallic L Sedan. Current: 1994 Blk/Blk LS Coupe iTrader: (5)	Upper ball joint - Need advice right away!! Okay, My car just went in the shop today to have my 3570 ingalls camber kit installed as well as some new lower ball joints. Well, it turns out my upper ball joints need to be replaced also, but Acura only sells them with the upper control arm which costs a WHOPPING $285 Canadian PER SIDE!! so I gotta dish out over $600 Canadian after tax if I don't figure something else out soon. I wanted to know: could I buy the ingalls 3557 camber kit?? that would replace my upper ball joint, right?!?! Apparently its hard to replace the upper ball joint in the existing upper control arm, thats why Acura only sells them together, so wouldn't that mean it may be hard/expensive to have the 3557 kit installed on my existing control arm??? Please help!! I have to get this figured out right away and order the part so I can get my car back on the road!!!! (thank god I'm on vacation right now and don't require the car to drive to work and back for a few more days). __________________

02-17-03, 05:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
Octane Old S*hool Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Toronto, Ontario Canada Posts: 2,248 Car 1: Previous: 1991 Pewter Grey Metallic L Sedan. Current: 1994 Blk/Blk LS Coupe iTrader: (5)	I called around and the best price I could get was a local dealership (Acura of North Toronto) for $203 per side - I'm just gonna bite the bullet and buy them - saves me the hassle of having to get shipping then pay duty and be without my car for days... I love this car, but sometimes the cost of proper upkeep just hurts __________________

02-17-03, 10:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mckenzie93 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada Posts: 3,228 Car 1: 1993 LS Coupe, 6 Speed iTrader: (0)	The SOBs at Acura told me my Control arms were shot..... and they were perfectly fine... so I know how you feel.. and that is a pretty good price. I belieive I paid $215 each. That sux you have to repalce the balljoints though...... good luck... __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6.../DSCN45691.jpg

02-18-03, 11:59 AM	#7 (permalink)
Mckenzie93 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada Posts: 3,228 Car 1: 1993 LS Coupe, 6 Speed iTrader: (0)	They said the control arm bushings were worn, and when me and my friend took the suspension apart, the left side was like brand new, and the right side showed a tiny bit of wear. I though it was going to fix a wandering steering feeling, which I can now attribute to just having wide tires.... no problems with suspension what so ever. __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6.../DSCN45691.jpg

02-18-03, 01:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
Octane Old S*hool Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Toronto, Ontario Canada Posts: 2,248 Car 1: Previous: 1991 Pewter Grey Metallic L Sedan. Current: 1994 Blk/Blk LS Coupe iTrader: (5)	I could tell for a while that something was wrong with my suspension - on poor roads the front end just felt kinda clunky, like whenever the spring/shock was in transition between compression and rebound it felt loose and uncontrolled. Thats why I bought a set of lower ball joints to install when I had my suspension adjusted as I know they have not been replaced in atleast 100,000kms and possibly never. When my mechanic took everything apart, thats when he found out that the front passenger side upper ball joint was in tough shape - he recommended getting both sides done while the car is already apart to save on labour, which I agree with. So now I will have new lower and upper ball joints and new poly bushings thanks to the 3570 camber kit - I can't wait to see how tight and responsive the suspension and steering will feel after its all done - especially with the CL S rims on the car!! __________________

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02-17-03, 06:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
jedinyte120 Legend Newb*e :) Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Philly Posts: 1,106 Car 1: 92 coupe iTrader: (0)	octane i bought the spc ball joint kit for my camber corection.if i am not mistaken,dont that replace the factory upper ball joint on the control arm?that ball joint goes on the tip of the upper arm right?like the top of the A?if that is it then its not that hard to put in.my mechanic just took the arm out,ripped off the rubber boot and compressed it out.any mechanic would have the ball joint press,but double check on that first before you order it.my mechanic also used a hammer and kinda flattened the tip of the arm for clearance just in case,and so far i havent had any problems.hope this helps bro. rog

02-18-03, 02:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
92coupeon18s Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: ATL Posts: 3,116 Car 1: 12sec E36 M3 iTrader: (0)	yeah the 3557 replaces the whole upper ball joint. BUt i dont like mine.

02-18-03, 02:55 PM	#10 (permalink)
SaGe69 LeGeNdS NeVeR DiE! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 1,327 Car 1: 1992 Legend LS Sedan iTrader: (0)	Maybe this might help.... Before you go wasting money on new upper control arms, call Standard Autowreckers (416)286-8686 and see if they have any good used ones available... I hit a curb pretty bad last year and had to replace my control arms & balljoints. I managed to pick up 2 very good condition upper control arms with perfect upper ball joints for $75 per side. Maybe I was lucky because they came off a 95 Sedan. But in any case, try them first or call some other local scrap yards. They won't sell you anything that isn't in perfect physical and working condition so you have nothing to loose. Lates, SaGe69 __________________ SaGe69 - Reprezentin T.O. since 2000

02-18-03, 11:53 PM	#13 (permalink)
Octane Old S*hool Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Toronto, Ontario Canada Posts: 2,248 Car 1: Previous: 1991 Pewter Grey Metallic L Sedan. Current: 1994 Blk/Blk LS Coupe iTrader: (5)	I put new springs on the front, so I have to wait a few weeks for them to settle before getting an alignment, but it will be my coin to get that done. I'll be getting the wheels and cross drilled rotors installed later this week, then all I want to get done before the summer is tint, paint the moldings and skirts, and maybe an exhaust. I have the stage II ECU, HID, LS leather shifter&wheel on the way. I also just got the "A-C-U-R-A" and "3.2L" emblems (off a new 3.2TL) from SammyD that I will be installing soon. I can't wait for warmer weather to get another meet going!! __________________

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