Had my aftermarket upper control arms on for about 4yrs/120k miles on NJ roads.
Any idea on how long they last and/or when I should replace them?

thanks

 

When they go bad, replace them.....next thread please

 

yea, maybe that's my underlying question; How do you know when they're going bad?

 

In the words of Jason Derulo...




wiggle wiggle wiggle



Same as checking any balljoint, you're checking for play. You can do this by (with the car's front safely and securely off the ground) firmly grasping the front wheel at the top and bottom and attempting to rock it . If there is play in either the top or bottom balljoint, you may feel it. You can also inspect more closely by taking the wheel off. If you see the rubber boot is split and grease is leaking out, plan on replacing it sooner rather than later. If the boot is split and the grease is already gone, that balljoint has been dry for some time and its life span is extremely short if not already ended. It would probably have been making noise even before it got to that point. Clunking from play, horrible creaking if it's dry.

 

They will make a popping or clunking noise when they go bad. You can also check them by jacking the car up and moving the wheel right and left and in and out from the bottom and top of the wheel to see if there is any movement. If there is something is loose/ worn and needs replacement.

 

That's good advice.