e-man

Hey guys. My dealership told me that I need a new upper control arm on the front driver's side. They said there's some play in it (I assume they're referring to the ball joint that's part of the upper arm).

Can someone tell me what happens if it fails? Is it the same situation as when the lower ball joint fails? By the way, I've had the lower ball joints replaced on both sides. Thanks.

e

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

http://www.carspace.com/butchoy/Albu...o/v./photo.jpg

It'll look like that. Practically the same situation as the lower balljoint.

e-man

Hi Henry. It's been a while.

Well that's just great.

Does anyone know where I can get an upper control arm for not too much money? Aren't they about $500 new from Sewell?

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

$580 + shipping to be exact. (12% off with CL discount)

But then you have labor cost unless you want to tackle the job yourself

It's a shame the ball joints are not replaceable. This is my first car where the whole arm has to be replaced if the ball joints goes bad.

e-man

Well, the last time I tried to tackle a job myself (L-tuned mufflers) I ended up with a torn rotator cuff and needed surgery to fix it. I think I'll leave this to the professionals.

It is a shame. I love this car. I will have owned it 4 years this weekend, and I'm at 133,500 miles. I planned on driving it to at least 200,000 miles if I could. And then all of a sudden this week, I'm socked with two expensive repairs -- upper control arms ($1,600 for both sides at the dealership) and a/c compressor ($1,900 at the dealership).

I mean, how can you justify spending $3,500 on a car that's only worth around $5,000-$6,000?

e

5t341th

iTrader: (16)

you can do the install yourself. its really easy. 3 nuts and a pickle fork or puller will get the job done

vwynn

iTrader: (4)

pshh hes just VIP. -20 camber!

haha jk.

e-man

I don't think I would do the job myself because I'd probably screw it up.

Sewell sells the part for $270. Seems reasonable.

phillygs3

iTrader: (5)

+1 I had mine apart like 3 times already , with all the different susspension mods I had

Sheehan1p

dude i just had my right ball joint+ upper control arm done.... please just get them done u dont want to have to deal with what u saw in that pic... Also i found out that my left has some play in it and my right outter tie has play in it also.... Its a pain

e-man

Do you have to do an alignment after putting on the new control arm?

e

e-man

I did the lower ball joints on both sides a little while ago. The only thing that seems to have some play now is the driver side upper ball joint.

D-Boi

iTrader: (5)

just go buy them on ebay i bought mine for 179 a piece and they work great, and they are extremely easy to install 2 bolts that hold it to the frame and one nut that holds the ball joint to the knuckle. its probably easier than changing your rotor.

03SPDESIGN

iTrader: (3)

D-Boi, those on ebay r aftermarket correct? How do they compare to the OEM? Thanks

TYPEII

iTrader: (5)

Here's how it really looks... Not my car...

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ser-pic-2.html