I'm looking to replace my ball joints soon. So, I figured I'd do everything; bushes, ball joints and the tie rod ends.

Now, I know the common chorus will be for me to buy genuine.... but, I'm liking these Raybestos parts because of their design. Just seems better, based on my wealth of experience in this area. Which is none.

Last question. Front control arms; are they interchangeable between FWD and AWD Magnas?

I figure, I'd pick up a set of control arms from the wreckers, blast & coat them, install the required parts, swap them over in an afternoon and have an alignment done. Time constraints limit how long the car can be off the road.

Based on my ownership of a KJII Verada (FWD) and an AWD TJII Magna and having replaced the front lower control arms on the latter, they are not interchangeable. I used genuine parts and can understand why those in the know recommend against attempting to replace the ball joints. I was surprised how thin the metal used in the construction of the arm is and how it's possible to damage the arm when attempting to press out the old ball joint.

Based on my ownership of a KJII Verada (FWD) and an AWD TJII Magna and having replaced the front lower control arms on the latter, they are not interchangeable. I used genuine parts and can understand why those in the know recommend against attempting to replace the ball joints. I was surprised how thin the metal used in the construction of the arm is and how it's possible to damage the arm when attempting to press out the old ball joint.

I think I'm with you... there was a difference in front control arms; the type where the rear bush just presses on, and, the type that has a locking nut of some description. I think they made this change around the time the TL came about.

The steering knuckle was changed from FWD to AWD, I know that. Still unsure about the actual arm remaining the same.

Based on my ownership of a KJII Verada (FWD) and an AWD TJII Magna and having replaced the front lower control arms on the latter, they are not interchangeable. I used genuine parts and can understand why those in the know recommend against attempting to replace the ball joints. I was surprised how thin the metal used in the construction of the arm is and how it's possible to damage the arm when attempting to press out the old ball joint.

Mmmm that explains why the Haynes manual says to replace the whole arm, my KH has done 265,000 k's guess the ball joints would be close to need replacing, the bushes are stuffed. Anyone know how much replacement arms from Mitsubishi are? think I read somewhere about $700 for both.
Cheers

I've had ball joints replaced before, on my first Magna, and it didn't require replacement of the entire arm.

From memory, the ball joint is splined and held in place by an external circlip. Not sure if the ball joint housing is pressed into the arm, but you usually need a ball joint separator to pop the (ball joint) stud out of the (steering) knuckle.

The bushes, which I've never had replaced, are pressed on/in.

First of all, I DONT recommend replacing ball joints in these arms, just because companies make them does not mean they are designed to be replaced. I have seen many a car with joints torn out because of this.

Complete arms from a dealer are around the $250 each mark, these are the nut and pin type. Then the bushes for the end are around the $140 mark thus for $390 each side I could supply you a complete arm with new rear bush ready to bolt in. I have the nuts and washers here required.

The arms can be changed over between the pin and nut sort if that makes sense, the geometry is the same as are the mounting points, only difference is how that rear bush is attached

First of all, I DONT recommend replacing ball joints in these arms, just because companies make them does not mean they are designed to be replaced. I have seen many a car with joints torn out because of this. Complete arms from a dealer are around the $250 each mark, these are the nut and pin type. Then the bushes for the end are around the $140 mark thus for $390 each side I could supply you a complete arm with new rear bush ready to bolt in. I have the nuts and washers here required. The arms can be changed over between the pin and nut sort if that makes sense, the geometry is the same as are the mounting points, only difference is how that rear bush is attached

Whoa. Okay. I'll rethink my approach,

Got to admit, that comes as a shock. I thought I was doing the right thing.