When replacing a ball joint, must I get my control arm replaced aswell?
About a month ago, I had my ball joint and wheel bearing changed however the mechanic did not align the wheels as he claims he didn't have the right set up. Therefore, the car needed aligning. So, I find a new garage to get an alignment however the mechanic pulls me in the garage area to show me the ball joint wasn't even connected to the anything and that it was perilous if not fixed. The new mechanic also stated that my car (Ford Escape), when needed a new ball joint, also needed a new control arm to go with it otherwise the ball joint wouldn t fit or work properly. I didn't have the money to repair it onsight as I'm a broke student who was faced with paying 430 dollars for a job the previous mechanic botched. I left and called two ford dealerships to get an opinion from mechanics. Both told me that when a the ball joint gets replaced, the control arm must be too albeit one mechanic did say you could get an after-market ball joint without the control arm however it would come cheaper and may not fit properly however in conclusion, all three mechanics recommended and one even stating it's a must to replace the control arm when replacing the ball joint. I ask this question because I don't want to have to spend more money when the initial repair might have been botched or done lazy.
In some cars it is easier to replace it as a unit as designed for the repair than to try and push the ball joint out of the arm and press the new on. Manual press tools can be borrowed from advanced auto parts but you have to place the cost of the tool as a deposit. Its a bear to replace a ball joint sometimes needing a torch to heat the old one to remove it.
also a bear to replace the control arm if the bolts are rusted together… When the car needs this much repair its wise to look at the potential future repair costs vs getting another car.
What year Escape? 2WD or 4WD?
No money, no reair. Didn't take that class yet, did you? Tow the car home and save your money. Maybe you can see how it all goes together watching a few you tubes about replacing that car's ball joint. Unless the control arm is damaged, it shouldn't need replacing. The previous mechanic seriously cheated you not finishing the job or you wouldn't have any questions today. Call him up and tell him what's wrong. You should have gone back to him as soon as you noticed the car wouldn't drive right.
Moneywise the cost is very close as it can be faster to replace the control arm which includes the ball joint AND NEW rubber bushings compared to buying a separate ball joint and work to change it. Get a statement from the mechanic and tell the clowns at the first shop you want your money back especially if it was in an unsafe condition.
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