I have noticed my car creaking from the front suspension over the last few weeks, I finally got to have a look at it yesterday and noticed that the lower ball joint on the drivers side has split the rubber grease cover.

I was thinking about just going to the wreckers and getting another lower control arm (with ball joint). Does anyone know if the lower arm and ball joint is the same across the 3rd gen magnas, and secondly anyone got a cheaper/easier way of getting this sorted? (i don't have access to a ball joint press)

Thanks

I have noticed my car creaking from the front suspension over the last few weeks, I finally got to have a look at it yesterday and noticed that the lower ball joint on the drivers side has split the rubber grease cover.

I was thinking about just going to the wreckers and getting another lower control arm (with ball joint). Does anyone know if the lower arm and ball joint is the same across the 3rd gen magnas, and secondly anyone got a cheaper/easier way of getting this sorted? (i don't have access to a ball joint press)

Thanks

Their not that expensive to replace. Just book it in to an Ultratune or mechanic. A new ball joint is about $60 plus installation. I had the driver side ball joint replaced a couple of months ago.

Probably not worth hunting around for a used ball joint that could go at any time.

from repco you might be able to buy the universal lower ball joint cover like you can for the

$ 12

TR/TS also fits the First gens

you undo the ball joint add a bit of molly fit the new ball joint cover do up the nut all done


Thanks magna buff, sounds like its worth investigating. I've never worked on a ball joint before, so bear with me if I am asking obvious questions. Given the rubber cover has torn, doesn't that therefore mean dust/dirt/water has most likely entered the ball joint. So if i can get a replacement cover and before I add grease, would I need to pull apart the joint to clean it out? And if so do I require a special tool to open up the joint?

Thanks

An update...

Went to repco, couldn't get hold of a ball joint cover, so bought one from Mitsu for $25.

Now, my next problem. Trying to take it apart, I am having trouble trying to seperate the lower control arm/ball joint from the knuckle that it is bolted to. I have undone the nut on the top of the ball joint, and have tried using a wrecking bar to prise it apart, but can't get it. (There are no many spots to get leverage) Have also tried a few hits with a hammer and rubber mallet.

Any other ideas?

Didn't have any luck, will call into supercheap today and price the seperator

Well, had some spare time today, so got back to the ball joint repair. I purchased a ball joint seperator tool from Autobarn (seemed a little better quality than the supercheap one for the same price). It still took quite a few good hits from the mini sledge hammer, but finally it came apart!!

I removed the damaged ball joint cover, cleaned all the grease from the upper part of the joint, regreased and fitted the new cover - good as new! The ball joint cover was a bit of a pain to fit, its sort of a pressure fit around the bottom, and took a bit of work but I finally got it.

Took the car for a drive, no more creaking!!

Many thanks to Magna Buff for the advice!

saved the greater expense and you know more about your car

win win

use the same tool for tie rods

might be worth a few beers if mates want the :badgrin: tool