Ball joints

[JoeliusZ28]

Wondering what the crowd thinks is a typical lifespan for these. Mine seem OK but there are 104k on them and the car is going to be autocrossed and road raced so now (while everything is apart) would be an ideal time to change them. They are $220 though so if it isnt necessary I'll leave it alone.

[Darren]

I'd personally leave them. If they aint broke dont change em. Just my 2 cents.

[JoeliusZ28]

I'd personally leave them. If they aint broke dont change em. Just my 2 cents.

That was my thought too just dont want to put this all back together to take it apart again.

[ryanwarby01]

I would change them. It's so much easier to do while you already have it apart. Plus the newer replacements are made better than what these cars came with. It's just one less weak link to worry about, especially with the plans of auto-x.

[my95z28]

Change em. Go Moog or go home

[JoeliusZ28]

So you two are saying that 104k miles means due for replacement? And what about control arm bushings?

Obviously id like new everything. I also never noticed any issues before and i want the car done sometime within the millenia. If theres one thing im good at its turning one project into 12

[nascarnate326]

Order up the new parts from an advanced auto and use a 20% coupon. Wish I had did all the little things like this when I did mine.

[JoeliusZ28]

What bothers me is $200 later with a coupon the bushings will still be original.

[Boost Addict]

The fact that you are even thinking about doing it tells me that in the back of your mind, you know you should do it. Can't tell you how many times I've kicked myself in the ass because I wanted to get something done quicker or because I didn't have the money, and then I just ended up tearing it apart again to do the stuff.

[JoeliusZ28]

The fact that you are even thinking about doing it tells me that in the back of your mind, you know you should do it. Can't tell you how many times I've kicked myself in the ass because I wanted to get something done quicker or because I didn't have the money, and then I just ended up tearing it apart again to do the stuff.

Here's the biggest reason im wanting to hold off.

If im going to spend $200 replacing ball joints that arent bad, why would i stop there and not replace the control arm bushings? If I'm going to spend that much time money and effort getting that far, why not just get aftermarket upper and lower control arms? If Im going that far, why not do a tubular kmember? Etc etc... Line has to be drawn somewhere and its not in the budget to do everything.

Whereas if i decide later on i want tubular stuff... Ball joints now will be a wasted effort. I think im going to just leave it for that very reason.

[birdie2000]

Have you tried looking around for low-mileage stock arms? I was in your spot a couple years ago and I got a set of lower control arms with like 20k miles on them from someone who went aftermarket for much less money and hassle than replacing the ball joints/bushings on mine. It's a bit of a long shot finding them locally, but it couldn't hurt to try.