Need to replace lower front ball joints on a 99 Acura TL. My personal mechanic wants me to get the ball joints from the Acura dealer--who wants $205 each and includes some kind of arm with the ball joint. I prefer a $40 or less ball joint only from other parts sources. Which should I use?

It is hard to tell, without checking it. Iti could be the universal joint or CV, whatever you have, show it to a mechanic.

Sounds odd... Rikkalan,

(but it appears AMAZON agrees with your mechanic)

Just go to ROCKAUTO and look up your parts...

If the entire arm needs to be replaced the separate ball-joint will not be listed...

Hope this helps!!
RockAuto Parts Catalog


2001 CHRYSLER SEBRING 2 4L L4 DOHC Ball Joint RockAuto

I would recommend calling a RV dealer near you and they will know or will know who, you should talk to.

Ball joints just dont "fall off". Ball joints should be easily available. I'm sure the dealer can get any part you need. You may need other pieces. Have a RELIABLE shop check it over, your life is at risk, dont try cheap fixes.

Do you have the Haynes Repair manual? If not you might have to get one. Otherwise follow this simple procedure: take-out the required wheel. Remove the axle wheel-nut. Loosen the strut bolts. Remove the ball-joint boltand nut. Disconnect the steering tie-rod, and push it out it's place. Take out the strut bolts. Finally take out the hub assembly. If you are not mechanically inclined, it won't be easy. You might need a friend who's versed in this, or take your car to a friendly shop and watch them do it. That way you gain some insight for next time.

The upper ball joint is an integral part of the upper control arm and the lower ball joint is an integral part of the spindle.

well just hand tools may not be enough because the ball joint is pressed into lower arm you would need a press tool

Call a dealer and give them the vin #, they may or may not tell you if there is a recall for that. If the car was bought at a used car lot,and if there is some kind of warrenty on it, Go back and tell them what happened. Depending on what a repair shop charges an hour, about 2 to $300.00.

You need to take them the knuckle. This is what the brake calliper, the wheel studs, the upper and lower ball joints, and the axle half shaft all connect to. Start with the axle nut. It's pretty big and might have a cotter pin through it. I say that because it's the tightest bolt and you can use the brakes to hold it from just spinning the wheel. There is one castle nut per ball joint, should have a cotter pin through them, take them off and beat the ball joint out with a hammer, don't hit the stud or you'll never get the nut back on. Two bolts on the brake calliper. once you have all that off give the end of the axle a few whacks until it's free. Don't go pulling on it or you'll separate the CV joint in the half shaft.

problem may be wheel tranny or front motor mount does it show any signs of front end wobble if so inner cv joint ball joints brake calipers all common culprits