Upper Ball Joints / Control Arm

[tenikiwon]

I have replaced my Upper Passenger side before.

Recently I was told my the friendly VA inspection folks :fire: that I need upper and lower.

So I went to autozone and purchased upper and lower. I opened the one box which I was under the assumption that was the drivers side and installed it. After that was done I opened the other box and to my suprise it looked identical. Upon closer inspection it was stamped LH, meaning drivers side. Confused, I looked at the one I just installed and it is stamped with RH (pass). I went to Autozone and double checked what they sold me and they said that parts sometimes change and that it was the right part but didn't know if it made a difference which side it went on. Not happy with this I went to PepBoys and they had a RH which we compaired to my LH and again, very slight differences, but where the frame connections and ball-joint were all seemed like they were in the same place.

Does anyone know what the difference is, if any?

Can I just install them on the wrong sides or should I undo the drives and put in on the pass side like they're labeled and intended to be installed?

 

[tenikiwon]

Update : Pictures

Compairison of drivers side and new pass side.

Stock Pass Side

 

[SplashMan]

Looks like they just redesigned them to match the driver's side. I never understood why the passenger side was designed like it was anyway. Anyone know?

 

[tenikiwon]

Looks like they just redesigned them to match the driver's side. I never understood why the passenger side was designed like it was anyway. Anyone know?

To add to that, is there a real difference? They're stamped different and the price is $30 different according to autozone.

 

[CougarX]

That is just what the replacements look like.

The only reason the one side is adjustable is to make sure both wheels have the same caster (steering knuckle tilt relative to the vertical, looking from side of truck) if anything ever gets knocked out of line (bent). Having the caster set to the exact right angle isn't as important as having both sides the same.

For 99% of vehicles, the one piece arm shouldn't prove a problem. If you've ever been in a wreck, or nailed the front suspension on something hard and immovable (rock) you might want to go back and get the two piece design so that it can be aligned properly if need be. Improper caster won't neccesarily cause tire wear, but it could cause mild bump steer.

 

[CougarX]

BTW, I worked at autozone for 3 years, and know exactly the parts you are talking about. Every upper I ever sold for an Explorer was the one piece design, and I never heard anyone come back to say anything was wrong.
The two piece design is cheaper, since you only get the outside piece, but it doesn't come with new A-Arm bushings, (which run $10 a piece if purchased seperately). If you have quite a few miles it can't hurt to replace the bushings as well as they are probably either worn pretty good.

 

[tenikiwon]

Still confused.

Why would only the pass side have had it originally?

When I got mine from Autozone the first time it was the two piece and both pieces.

Is there a difference between the drivers and pass side?

 

[CougarX]

Only one side has it because the adjustment that it provides isn't neccesary on both sides. The only thing requiredfor a perfect alignment is that both sides are the same. The adjustable side can be changed to match the non adjustable side, and that is all that is required for Caster.

The only ones I ever saw at Autozone were the one piece designs like you have and the single outer piece for the passenger side. As far as the full arms, I think they are slightly different for either side. If you look at the ball joint, I think it is set just slightly different on the pass side then the drivers side.