'72 eldo upper ball joints ?

[Hankk17]

I'm having some trouble locating upper ball joints that don't cost $100-$150 each for my Eldorado.  Anyone have a good source?

[Dave Shepherd]

Assume you have tried Napa, or Rockauto?

[Hankk17]

yeah most of the big carriers don't have them or if they do they cost $110 each (or thereabouts)  just looking for something reasonable.

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

Wait until you have to replace the front wheel bearings.
I wouuld respectfully suggest that if you need upper ball joints you get them whil they are still available.  I believe AC Delco and Moog no longer offer them.
Greg Surfas

[Hankk17]

rockauto has those listed for $80 I think.  I know they go for way more than that though.  I have one NOS front bearing in an old frayed box but the wrapper is intact and its still packed in oil so it's in good shape.  my intention is to gather all the parts for the front end and then do it some weekend when I'm snowed in this winter lol but without breaking the bank if possible.

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

Hank,
I trust you have checked the balljoints for wear in accordance with the service manual.  When they developed the driveline of these cars they must have had a safety factor of about 10 and built them like trucks.  Unless the car has been wrecked or has an exceptional amount of miles on it with out lubrication  most of the suspension and steering components are good for a couple of hundred thousand miles.
What I have found is that the parts that don't need replacement and consequently are "slow movers" (in sales) are those that the manufacturers lose interest in and quit producing.  You might notice that upper ball joints for earlier RWD Cadillacs are still offered by all the Manufacturers.
Greg Surfas

[Hankk17]

I know I have to do one of the CV joints which means I have to take the steering knuckle off.. so I figured I'm gonna be there, I may as well do it all.  However, I take your meaning and will check it out before I just have at it with the pneumatic chisel.   Maybe I'll be lucky, but this eldo is kinda tired and likely already has at least 100K on her.  it was something I inherited so the price was right.  :-)

[Dave Shepherd]

Typically the lower joints wore way before the upper.

[TJ Hopland]

I have not yet run into one that needed uppers.
   
Lots of lowers and quite a few wheel bearings even with fairly low mileage but no uppers.

[Kevin Bielinski #13320]

Kanter Auto Parts in NJ will have what you need.

[Hankk17]

after leaving my job and being super broke for a bit.. and then subsequently finding a new better paying one I actually was able to pick up this search again last night and found this:

http://www.carpartsdiscount.com/auto/parts/72/cadillac/eldorado/ball_joints/ball_joint_upper.html?3593=34218

uppers for $67.75 - I ordered em up and hopefully they'll be the right ones lol

just FYI