Replacement ball joint loose in control arm bore
The control arm bore where the lower ball joint inserts is worn, stretched, or has stripped threads, which prevents the new ball joint from seating properly or staying secure. This loose fit causes dangerous play in the joint and means the control arm itself must be replaced.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Replacing the entire control arm assembly
- 2Buying an oversized ball joint
- 3Welding the ball joint to the control arm
- 4Towing the vehicle to a shop
- 5Using a floor jack to check alignment of parts
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Installing a new lower ball joint 2007 mazda3 and it has some play like this and isn’t seating right and staying where it’s supposed to.”source ↗
“Time for a new adjustable lower control arm because I’d bet the threads inside that are destroyed.”source ↗
“You can see the threads are stripped on the one side. Definitely don’t drive it get it towed.”source ↗
“The old one is no good. You can see the threads are messed up. You definitely need a new control arm.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 5How to get a stuck ball joint out
- 6Should I replace just the ball joint or the whole control arm?
- 2Why didn't my mechanic catch a rusted control arm?
- 10Can you replace just the bushings on a sway bar link?
- 4Can't get bottom of strut over lower control arm
- 2Can I drive with a broken tie rod to get it repaired?