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A-Arm Ball Joint

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Offline JayInBarrie

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A-Arm Ball Joint
« on: November 08, 2008, 07:21:45 PM »
AARRRGGGG  :'( :'(
My 2 door Tracker IS/was my family vehical, so the wife has not been happy for the last few years.
I finally put new springs all around, but had some trouble with the strut extenders. Not to mention worn out parts, so the wife was yelling "DONT YOU THINK YOU'VE PUT ENOUGH $$ IN THAT. ITS TIME FOR A NEW FAMILY CAR!!".

Replaced some worn out parts, and adjusting one of the shock extenders (but did not tighten nearly enough). Had to bring my son's guitar into town for his lessons, and bringing chicken for dinner at a friends house. Was almost at the friends house when the Strut popped out of the extender and the wheel decided to lay down when going around a courner. Was driving slow, but not slow enough....

SO the wheel seperated from the A-Arm, the ball popped right out of the A-Arm.  Cousin say's I'll need a new ball joint.  As I understand it the ball joint is an INTEGRATED PART of the A-Arm, so I need a replacement A-Arm.  Is the Sidekick/Tracker A-Arms the same as the Vitara's???????????

I'm hopping I can pull an older Sidekick A-Arm from a wreckers and swap it in to the Tracker/Vitara.  Unless there's some other alternative.


On the lighter side  ;D
I finally gave in and bought a family vehical.  Got a new Ford Escape, was tempted to get a new GV.  Wanted something popular, so I'm not looking for info/parts/aftermarket stuff/parts at the wreckers (sound familiar?).  Before picking up the Escape; I heard on the radio the Ontario Suzuki plant is closing the SUV line, sounds like no more GV's.

Still keeping my '99 Tracker.  Was planning on a BL and 33", now I'll aim for 35's.  It's not the family car anymore  ;D.  Just take a bit longer to do, since I now have car payments and this repair in the way. :(

99 2dr Tracker, 33" tires stuffed in, home made roof rack.

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Offline IanL

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Re: A-Arm Ball Joint
« Reply #1 on: November 09, 2008, 02:06:04 AM »
Checking the Parts Catalog, the Sidekick one is very different in the area of the ball joint attachment.  It could also be a different dimension, as the track is different to the GV.

The Sport LOOKS the same as the GV, but the Sport is stocked as an "Arm Set" complete with ball joint parts, whereas the GV has a separate listing for the arm and ball joint parts, so I can't tell if they are actually the same.

I guess the GVs will be imported from Japan to supply N America, if manufacture is stopped at Cami.
'98 GV V6, '96 X-90 with RRO 2.5" lift and 195/80 R15, '93 Cappuccino.

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Offline JayInBarrie

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Re: A-Arm Ball Joint
« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2008, 05:57:36 AM »
Doubt things could change at the Cami plant.  It was just anounced in the news (I live in southern Ontario) along with layoffs at the other auto plants here.
Darn Sub-Prime bust, I find the tax incentive to have/keep/max-out a mortgage in the US weird.  Darn econonmy.

Yeah, I just checked a Suzuki auto parts site (should have done that first).  Looks like Vitara, Grand Vitara, XL-7 '99-'06 are the same.  Now I just have to find one of those at a 'you-pull' wreckers, kinda slim chance.

99 2dr Tracker, 33" tires stuffed in, home made roof rack.

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Offline toofaroffroad

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Re: A-Arm Ball Joint
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2008, 06:47:36 PM »
I'm currently looking for new control arms/ball-joints. you can order them on ebay for around $100 plus shipping. Anything 99 up will fit. Tracker/Grand Vitara and XL7. I would also like to say that Calmini would be making a lot of money of they sold the control arms separately. THey are the only guys and can find that make an after market control arm that is better then stock.

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Offline JayInBarrie

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Re: A-Arm Ball Joint
« Reply #4 on: November 19, 2008, 05:39:05 AM »
Yeap, I'll have too give my $$$ to some other then Calmini.   :P
99 2dr Tracker, 33" tires stuffed in, home made roof rack.

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Offline JDMCRX

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Re: A-Arm Ball Joint
« Reply #5 on: November 19, 2008, 05:57:30 AM »
I can get you a control arm here in ottawa for 75-100 bucks let me know. I got a guy who lives on base borden and goes home every weeeknd. let me know asap im going today to get mine.
01 GRAND VITARA

JBAUTO LONGTUBE HEADERS AND 2.5" JBAUTO EXHAUST

New project H27 in the GV goal 200 Wheel Horse Power  JPB 1.75"front 2" rear Grand Vitra lifts  www.jbauto.ca[/url]

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Offline JDMCRX

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Re: A-Arm Ball Joint
« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2008, 02:01:46 PM »
Hey guys My buddy can get Replacement Japan made controls arms.

Brand new and new Bushings, Just put one on my truck. Perfect :)

I went to 4 junk yards they all wanted 100 bucks, every control arm had siezed bushings and what not so i said screw it new.

Left or right $200 plus shipping

So if anyone is interested pm me
01 GRAND VITARA

JBAUTO LONGTUBE HEADERS AND 2.5" JBAUTO EXHAUST

New project H27 in the GV goal 200 Wheel Horse Power  JPB 1.75"front 2" rear Grand Vitra lifts  www.jbauto.ca[/url]

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Offline JayInBarrie

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Re: A-Arm Ball Joint
« Reply #7 on: November 23, 2008, 05:18:39 PM »
Dam, just saw this.  Part's already pick-up at the Barrie Part's Source for a bit more but resonable.  Way cheaper then the Dealer. >:(
99 2dr Tracker, 33" tires stuffed in, home made roof rack.

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Offline JDMCRX

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Re: A-Arm Ball Joint
« Reply #8 on: November 25, 2008, 07:31:09 AM »
Just make sure to grease it before you put it in ;)
01 GRAND VITARA

JBAUTO LONGTUBE HEADERS AND 2.5" JBAUTO EXHAUST

New project H27 in the GV goal 200 Wheel Horse Power  JPB 1.75"front 2" rear Grand Vitra lifts  www.jbauto.ca[/url]

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Offline bzzr2

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Re: A-Arm Ball Joint
« Reply #9 on: November 25, 2008, 07:34:10 AM »
suggestion for future, in the event i need a part that is not covered by my killer warranty, like if i hit a rock and f something up...  the suzuki and gm dealers often have a wide difference in prices for the same parts, check them both out...  in my case dealer parts have always been cheaper than aftermarket....
03-ZR2, 2dr, 31x10.5 SSR's & stuff...--sold :-(
03 xl7, jeff's 2inch spacer lift, 225/75/16's; sold
09 taco reg cab short box 4x4

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Offline JDMCRX

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Re: A-Arm Ball Joint
« Reply #10 on: November 25, 2008, 07:40:58 AM »
GM control arm $549
Suzuki Control arm $369
Aftermarket $200
01 GRAND VITARA

JBAUTO LONGTUBE HEADERS AND 2.5" JBAUTO EXHAUST

New project H27 in the GV goal 200 Wheel Horse Power  JPB 1.75"front 2" rear Grand Vitra lifts  www.jbauto.ca[/url]

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Offline nprecon

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Re: A-Arm Ball Joint
« Reply #11 on: November 25, 2008, 08:42:31 PM »
bzzr2's point is well taken.  You don't ALWAYs get a better deal through GM or Suzuki parts than you can find in aftermarket or the pick-n-pulls, but you CAN find widely different costs for new parts between GM and Suzuki when you need a NEW part.  I don't know the rhyme or reason, but it is true.  Look at the price difference between the control arms JDMCRX reflects.  I had the same experience with a steering box for my 94 Kick about 7 years ago.
Suzuki wanted $1200 plus change for their new one but I ended up buying one from GM for a 94 GEO (Tracker) for $925.  Bolted right up like it was made for it (hmmm??)  It still hurt like hell, but it hurt about $300 plus LESS.
'02 Chezuki Tracker with a 2 Liter and 5spd.  It works for me!!!