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My GF has a 64 plate Clio diesel with 110k. The ball joint on the NS control arm has just failed and there is tons of play.
A new balljoint is about £12. One of the balljoint presses is about £40. I can get an aftermarket control arm for about £56. I would need to buy a E16 socket to do that job.
Given the balljoint might mean that the other bushes are tired too, would you replace the balljoint and buy the tool, or replace the control arm?
Thanks
Ian
Cheap aftermarket control arms rarely made to same quality as OEM . Have seen some horrific items passed off as fit for purpose.
If the metal works in a poor state
I'd replace with a quality OEM item
Otherwise I'd replace both ball joints (both left and right) - before I worried about the subframe mounting bushes at all.
Yes, get decent arms and just swap them out. On my car it’s common for all the bushes to be equally knackered so swapping the arm makes sense.
Ok thanks guys..how do i spot a crappy replacement control arm? Is there anywhere i can buy other than renault to get a decent item?
Ian
Ah, just realised you have both suggested different ideas. So, when im looking through the Eurocarparts site, how do i appraise a good itwm vs a crap one?
The metalwork of the control arm seems good, so i may go balljoint route.....dependant on price of quality control arm.