06 Focus 1.6 petrol estate Suspension Ball Joint query.

[scallywag]

Hi all, The car just failed MOT on worn Suspension Ball Joint. The Mechanic ordered the Ball joint and when he was half way through the job he told my wife that for some reason or another that he now had to replace Suspension arm as well, can anyone confirm my suspicions that he didn't have to replace the arm as well, as the Balljoint actually came with 3 bolts that would replace the 3 studs that would have to be cut off. Thanks for looking.

[Phil3747]

IIRC the original ball joint is fastened to the lower arm with 3 large rivets that do need drilling/cutting off. I did one a few years ago which did take a while with my limited hand tools and it was only afterwards that I realised it would have been far easier (and not that much more expensive) to change the arm...maybe your mechanic decided the same ??