lower ball joints worn - OH NO!

[Panzer909]

Yes, its on a later (1987) car

Went to the local alignment shop on Saturday, and about 15 mins. later the head tech stormed through the door. "Sir, we're having a problem with the car - looks like your lower ball joints are worn". Crap. I went back with him where the worst was confirmed. Not too bad, but too much play to hold any kind of correct camber setting. I'm cursing the factory for essentially making the entire a-arm on later cars one whole piece. Or is it? Has anyone attempted to rebuild later arms themselves? Or is it something that must be left to the pros? Anyone ever send them out to paragon, tweeks, etc.? If so, how long does this take?

Let me hear your horror stories. Aside from a slight out-of-alignment problem and a shimmy at higher speeds, I was considering just letting it go until later this summer when I have a bit more $$$.......

[mlue]

It's up to you !!!

I personally wouldn't take that chance seeing that you could have a failure on the freeway. It's pay now or pay later, but paying later could be alot costlier.

Just my 2 cents!

Mark

86' 944NA

[Dave951M]

Bad ball joints can fail at any time. They may last 30k miles, you never know, but when they let go, the results can be catastrophic. Either the wheel will fold back into the fender, needing body work, or the wheel will tear off, causing you to lose control and need mucho body work both to you and the car. There are rebuilds around, I have spoken to a couple of wrenches about these and they think they're ok. Take your pick and choose your comfort level.

Dave951M

[T86951]

I had one of mine that the tire shop said was really worn and it came apart about a year later at 55 mph. Destroyed a tire and actually did body damage it beat the car so hard! I was really glad it did it at 55 rather than 100! I found a used unit that was really tight. My other side is not worn so I feel OK now. Look around, call some of the salvage companies and find good used ones. There are a lot of places in Excellence Magizine. I got a really good used one for $125

[marksportcts]

Dynamic European Technologies in Houston rebuilds them for $150 or so. The remove the old one and machine the arm so that a new sealed unit is pressed in. The have a 3 year warranty on them as long as the car is not lowered in any way. Apperently they have never had one of their rebuilt units back.

[Panzer909]

Well, I called around and the winning bid looks to have gone to Dynamic European Technologies. If I hustle, the car will be held up for about a week. Oh well. At least having a car up on jacks without front wheels will give the back yard a nice "trashy" look.

Thanks for the imput.

[Dave951M]

The trashy redneck look with a Porsche- that would be interesting. Just so long as it doesn't fall off the jackstands and kill three of your best huntin' dawgs. Keep the board posted with the results.

Dave951M

[Panzer909]

I finally had the time this weekend to pull both a-arms of the car and send them out. This business of using a rubber hammer (from the 944 Garage) or a crowbar (Haynes manual) to remove the balljoint itself simply does not work. I had to stick a huge adjustable wrench in there and then hit the wrench itself with a hammer. This pulled them right out.

Now I have a car on jacks with no front tires sitting in the middle of my back yard. My dog already started sleeping under it. Hopefully those arms will be back soon! (banjo music playing)