new upper balljoint/control arm.. alignment?
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new upper balljoint/control arm.. alignment?
94 civic dx, mt, 230,xxx
I'm replacing only the upper ball joint and control arm as the come pre-assembled for nearly the same price as just a ball joint.
Do i need to do an alignment replacing these parts only, the rest of the front end will stay untouched.
I don't have much money to spare, can anyone review either dorman or autopart international control arms? I will spend the $ for moog if i have to, but it takes a big bite out of my already too small budget!
I'm replacing only the upper ball joint and control arm as the come pre-assembled for nearly the same price as just a ball joint.
Do i need to do an alignment replacing these parts only, the rest of the front end will stay untouched.
I don't have much money to spare, can anyone review either dorman or autopart international control arms? I will spend the $ for moog if i have to, but it takes a big bite out of my already too small budget!
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Re: new upper balljoint/control arm.. alignment?
Yes, you absolutely should have an alignment done after replacing a ball joint.
If your on a tight budget then take it for a drive on a good road and if it's not pulling to hard to either side then you should be okay delaying it for a bit, but the affected tire will probably still wear pretty quickly.
Moog are excellent quality, I would pay a bit extra for them if your planning on owning the car for another 50k miles, but if not then you could go with the less expensive part. Also, I wouldn't replace the control arm, save your money and just do the ball joint.
If your on a tight budget then take it for a drive on a good road and if it's not pulling to hard to either side then you should be okay delaying it for a bit, but the affected tire will probably still wear pretty quickly.
Moog are excellent quality, I would pay a bit extra for them if your planning on owning the car for another 50k miles, but if not then you could go with the less expensive part. Also, I wouldn't replace the control arm, save your money and just do the ball joint.
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Yes, you absolutely should have an alignment done after replacing a ball joint.
If your on a tight budget then take it for a drive on a good road and if it's not pulling to hard to either side then you should be okay delaying it for a bit, but the affected tire will probably still wear pretty quickly.
Moog are excellent quality, I would pay a bit extra for them if your planning on owning the car for another 50k miles, but if not then you could go with the less expensive part. Also, I wouldn't replace the control arm, save your money and just do the ball joint.
If your on a tight budget then take it for a drive on a good road and if it's not pulling to hard to either side then you should be okay delaying it for a bit, but the affected tire will probably still wear pretty quickly.
Moog are excellent quality, I would pay a bit extra for them if your planning on owning the car for another 50k miles, but if not then you could go with the less expensive part. Also, I wouldn't replace the control arm, save your money and just do the ball joint.
Ive done the lowers with no issues, however heard that the uppers are substantially more difficult and the better option is to replace with the whole assembly. do the uppers press out just as easily as the lowers? is it more of an issue of workable space with the c press in the housing?
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press out.
Get a haynes manual and it will have complete instructions on how to change them, I can't find a DIY online to link you too. The press you need can be rented free at most auto-parts stores.
Get a haynes manual and it will have complete instructions on how to change them, I can't find a DIY online to link you too. The press you need can be rented free at most auto-parts stores.
Last edited by MindBomber; Apr 13, 2011 at 05:19 PM.
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