Ball Joints?

[d12d]

I just replaced the wheel bearings on my 2003 P5. While I had it all apart, I changed the rotors, pads and tie rod ends. I was feeling pretty good on the test drive till I started hearing this clunking noise. It was probably there before but I just chalked it up to the bearing, which I knew was bad. I assume it is the ball joint, which I know is only sold as the whole lower control arm assembly.

My queston is, does anyone know a cheap place to get this assembly? The dealer and all of the online sources are at about $250 a side, which seems crazy. Another thought is that if i could find a joint of the right size for a different aplication, possibly one with grease fittings, I could modify it to fit the existing control arm. I figure if it doesn't work or if I mess it up. I will only be at the same place I am now in terms of needeing ball joints.

Any thoughts?

 

[khaosman]

I bought an entire LCA off of Ebay for cheaper than that. So far it has worked great.

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

Did you try Rockauto.com? They tend to have decent prices on that stuff...

 

[d12d]

I just called a local salvage yard and they have a pair for $50 a side. I might go with that.

Thanks for the input.

 

[red95_240sx]

I bought an entire LCA off of Ebay for cheaper than that. So far it has worked great.

who installed it and how much?

 

[slavrenz]

Bump from the dead!

You can get control arms from Mevotech for about $90 shipped each on Rockauto.com. I've replaced both sides with these, and they seem just as durable as OEM.

Also, I was at the alignment shop today, and I asked the guy about replacing ball joints. He said that he knows they're supposed to be non serviceable, but they can get joints from another application I guess and press them in. I was running late for another appointment, so I didn't ask any more, but it sounds like it is possible to replace the joints, just not with OEM ones.