Where to get Chevrolet Malibu 2006 2.2L 4-cyl ball joints - OEM or replacements?

[Negotiator]

The price quoted by my mechanic is ridiculously high (like $350 for the part only, no labour). Where should I look for fair pricing for the parts? Are there any quality aftermarket replacements worth looking at? Are there any other car makes and models that have interchangeable ball joints with Malibu?

Much preferred to be found in GTA or nearby.

Thanks.

[Engi-Nir]

mmm...should fall under bold area?

Q 1): What components are covered under the GM 160,000 km Powertrain Warranty?

A 1): This warranty covers powertrain-related issues affecting the engine, transmission, transfer case and axle assemblies on light duty vehicles as indicated below.

* Engine — Cylinder head, block, timing gears, timing chain, timing cover, oil pump/oil pump housing, OHC carriers, valve covers, oil pan, seals, gaskets, turbocharger, supercharger and all internal lubricated parts as well as manifolds, flywheel, water pump, harmonic balancer and engine mount. Timing belts are covered until the first scheduled maintenance interval.
* Transmission/Transaxle/Transfer Case — Case, all internal lubricated parts, torque converter, transfer case, transmission/transaxle mounts, seals and gaskets.
* Drive Systems — Final drive housing, all internal lubricated parts, axle shafts and bearings, constant velocity joints, axle housing, propeller shafts, universal joints, wheel bearings, locking hubs, front differential actuator, supports, front and rear hub bearings, seals and gaskets.

[olympic]

Ball joints are part of the suspension/steering, not the drivetrain, sorta like the tie rods. So they wouldn't be covered (I would think). Ball joints can be rediculously expensive if they are integrated into the lower control arms, meaning you have to replace the whole arm assembly. If the ball joints can be removed seperately, it's more reasonable. I just bought a pair of them for an 03 Montana and it came to $150 for OEM GM parts.

Visit a couple discount auto parts stores and see what they quote you. The brand doesn't really matter so go with the best deal. One warning though, many mechanics won't install parts you bought somewhere else.

[Negotiator]

Ball joints are part of the suspension/steering, not the drivetrain, sorta like the tie rods. So they wouldn't be covered (I would think).

Yep, that's what I thought as well. Beside - I bought the car used, and with the GM having quite a few problems on their own, I'm not sure if I could claim the warranty even if I would be eligible for one.



Ball joints can be rediculously expensive if they are integrated into the lower control arms, meaning you have to replace the whole arm assembly.

Which is the case right here :mad: I thought maybe ball joints and control arms can be interchanged from another car that has them separated - that would be a sweet solution. Too bad I suck at car mechanics and don't know much about cars in general, and even less about any models in particular.


If the ball joints can be removed seperately, it's more reasonable. I just bought a pair of them for an 03 Montana and it came to $150 for OEM GM parts.

Visit a couple discount auto parts stores and see what they quote you. The brand doesn't really matter so go with the best deal.

Well, I'm not sure if non-OEM parts can be found or are even in production ATM. At least my mechanic told me there aren't any. Hence I'm here looking for some help.


One warning though, many mechanics won't install parts you bought somewhere else.

Thanks for the warning. I've already been in such situation but it never hurts to be reminded.

[olympic]

Autozone.com lists them for $200US each, so not much better there. You can always go the used route ( www.car-part.com ) but personally I wouldn't do that with a suspension part. Even ebay has nothing for 05 and up. The 04 and older control arms are plentiful and cheap and look very similar but I doubt they would fit. Sorry I can't help more but it looks like your mechanic's price may be the norm for that part. I feel the same way every time I shell out nearly $1k for a set of wheel bearings with integrated hubs and ABS sensors...lol! :lol:

[l69norm]

.... Ball joints can be rediculously expensive if they are integrated into the lower control arms, meaning you have to replace the whole arm assembly. If the ball joints can be removed seperately, it's more reasonable. I just bought a pair of them for an 03 Montana and it came to $150 for OEM GM parts......

Sometimes it's actually cheaper to use a new "loaded" control arm which has a new ball joint and rubber bushings.

It can be a SOB to remove an old ball joint ($$$ labor wise) and for a pressed in ball joint, sometimes there's no guarantee that the new one will fit properly (i.e. needs an oversized replacement). As well, many times the rubber bushings in the control arm may be shot anyway (especially for the GM minivans - don't know for a Malibu).

[Drthorne]

I'd recommend www.rockauto.com but I can't seem to find ball joints for a 06 Malibu on their menu

[ES_Revenge]

Ball joints are part of the suspension/steering, not the drivetrain, sorta like the tie rods. So they wouldn't be covered (I would think).
Well I think they are covered but only for "manufacturing defect" right? Ball joints are wear items so if they failed prematurely due to a defect they'd be covered. For example if ball joints were failing left right and centre on these cars (they probably aren't though) then there'd probably be a TSB and it would probably instruct to replace under warranty. But one that just wore out "normally" would not be covered.

You see this commonly with warped brake rotors, for example. Brake pads and rotors aren't really covered by warranty but if you've driven the car only a relative low number of kms and the rotors become warped (and if rotor warpage is a common problem on the same vehicle) it usually is a warranty issue. But if it's just regular wear/tear, it's not usually a warranty issue.

OP, how many kms does the car have and what kind of roads/terrain have you been driving it on? Have you been off-roading? LOL.

For an 06 to go through ball joints, that's a little early. Who told you to replace them and/or what are the problems/symptoms you're getting?


Ball joints can be rediculously expensive if they are integrated into the lower control arms, meaning you have to replace the whole arm assembly.
Sometimes the ball joints are riveted in the control arms they can usually be drilled out and replace with a ball-joint replacement kit from many of the aftermarket parts makers. It's still labour intensive though, and if you want to be sure you don't put the drill through the CV boot, you're gonna want to remove the arm before drilling the rivets anyway (and the rivets are HUGE btw). On this vehicle I've never seen the control arm so I'm not sure if that's even possible though.


Which is the case right here :mad: I thought maybe ball joints and control arms can be interchanged from another car that has them separated - that would be a sweet solution. Too bad I suck at car mechanics and don't know much about cars in general, and even less about any models in particular.
Yeah you can get a used control arm(s) at a wreckers no problem (well the problem would be finding a place that has them but other than that yeah you can swap out yours for used ones). The price will vary according to the condition and what it would cost you to otherwise buy a new one, which given the details seems to be pretty high... Will still be a lot cheaper than a new OE control arm though.


Well, I'm not sure if non-OEM parts can be found or are even in production ATM. At least my mechanic told me there aren't any. Hence I'm here looking for some help.
Surprising but looks like the mechanic is right. I can't find any aftermarket ball joint replacement kits, nor can I find any aftermarket control arms. (Looked on rockauto and partsamereica/advance auto.)


Sometimes it's actually cheaper to use a new "loaded" control arm which has a new ball joint and rubber bushings.

It can be a SOB to remove an old ball joint ($$$ labor wise) and for a pressed in ball joint, sometimes there's no guarantee that the new one will fit properly (i.e. needs an oversized replacement). As well, many times the rubber bushings may be shot (especially for the GM minivans).
x2 but you'd have to buy an aftermarket control arm (like a Dorman or something) as the OE control arm will be huge money. And it doesn't look like Dorman makes a replacement control arm for this vehicle (nor does it appear anyone else does :( ).

I'm still wondering how ball joints wore out on a vehicle in 2-3 years, especially where the vehicle seems to be designed to have this part last for "life" (evidenced by the not-easily-replaceable ball joints).

[Engi-Nir]

Yup, it is a wear out item and not part of powertrain warranty.

PS: I guess you are out side the bumper to bumper warranty?? (over 60k km)

‘Wear Out’ Coverage

GMPP improves with age providing coverage to parts and assemblies that simply wear out. It is this unique feature that makes GMPP even more valuable, particularly as your vehicle ages. Outside influences such as local climate, road conditions, maintenance intervals, even driving habits, contribute to strain and ‘wear’ on your vehicles components. A few examples of parts that simply wear out are piston rings, ball joints, water pumps, and alternators. This ‘Wear Out’ Coverage applies to parts and assemblies covered by GMPP Total ‘Plus’. It does not apply to non-covered or maintenance items such as brake shoes, pads, shock absorbers, etc.

[chriswalsh]

I would give gmotors.com a call. They are a Florida-based dealer that sells at cost + i think 10%

I was able to get rear knuckle joints shipped to canada for less than half the price of dealership OR new aftermarket parts.