had my indie do the timing belt and waterpump today as it was for it's second t/b at 317000kms. he said waterpump had some seepage through the weep hole and it was good that it was in at this time to do. He installed the Aisin kit i picked up at Rock Auto along with new serpentine belt. I also asked him to do a once over on suspension and he noticed some play in the rear left upper control arm ball joint.

I can't find this part in Rock Auto for the life of me and dealer cost is about $700US. Am i missing something? From what i can tell, the ball joint is not replaceable on it's own and you would need to replace the whole control arm which looks like a PITA.

Any help on finding an aftermarket part would be appreciated. Looks to be part #4879059035

 

The rear carrier assembly is held securely in place by the strut, upper control arm, and 3 additional suspension arms which surround it from almost every possible angle. It takes a little more than a wink and a smile to get everything to move I'm just curious how he isolated one ball joint as the 3 additional suspension arms also have ball joints for a total of 4 attached to the carrier assembly.

 

thinking the same, he had it up on the lift and went through the suspension and was tugging and pulling on the wheels like you would if you were checking for bearing play etc. That's the only side he said has some play. He also said it's not going to fall apart in the next 1000 miles, but wanted me to be aware of it.

I'd change it, but can't find aftermarket on it.