Loose upper ball joints
#1
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Loose upper ball joints
I was checking the car to prepare it for an upcoming trackday and found that I had some looseness in the front suspension. I checked my hub bearings and adjusted them and there was less, but I still had some play. I kept checking and found that my upper ball joints were loose on the upper A-arm. I spot-welded in place them since they were good and based on the fact that they aren't available separately. I'm glad to eliminate that once-mysterious free play in the fronts.
Has anyone else experienced loose upper ball joints?
Has anyone else experienced loose upper ball joints?
#3
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Yup! That's exactly what I was having, especially when taking tight turns or going over speed bumps.
Edit: I just realized that there's a suspension sub-forum. Apologies.
Edit: I just realized that there's a suspension sub-forum. Apologies.
Last edited by 99mx5; 01-29-2009 at 04:50 PM. Reason: Thread in wrong sub-forum
#6
I should check mine when they come off for bushing replacement. I have been chasing down a serious knock when setting the car in a turn or basically any camber change at any speed. Replaced end links w/ heims, bored out poly bushings for sways, replaced tie rod ends. I do know I have one cam bolt on the control arm that is toast.
Hmmmm.....I didn't think they could become loose. But sounds like its time to dust off the welder.
Hmmmm.....I didn't think they could become loose. But sounds like its time to dust off the welder.
#8
Hmm. My 99' got a weird "knock" noise a while back. Like the moment I apply brakes from a roll, I'd get a tight and short "knock" from the front end. Never thought to check the ball joints. Thought it was the sway bar binding in the bushings perhaps. Gonna check this for sure next time the car's in the air.
#11
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I was with the clunking just like you, until a few days ago.
Here's a Pic of how I welded it. I put spot welds all around it.
Here's a Pic of how I welded it. I put spot welds all around it.
Last edited by 99mx5; 02-01-2009 at 12:17 AM. Reason: Added pic
#14
i dont know if im having the same problem too, but i get kind of a continous sound. like a clank clank clank sound coming from the front driver side. It almost sounds as if something metal and hollow was hitting together. i checked everything but can't find anything loose. i even replaced the lower ball joint, tie rod end, wheel bearing. I just found this thread, will check the upper control arm ball joint tomorrow as well. It seems to happen during accel and decel, the noise gets faster as the car gets faster. Also, when i apply the brakes, the noise goes away. This all happened after track day.
Anyone have any suggestions for me?
Anyone have any suggestions for me?
#15
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When you checked everything, did you also check the brake mounting bolts on the hub knuckle and the bolt for the caliper? The caliper axle and bolt should also be greased. A sticky caliper will make also noise.
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