MajorCommonSuspension

Mitsubishi Galant Fortis: Front Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Wear (Evo VII–IX)

Front Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Wear (Evo VII–IX) is a common suspension fault on the Mitsubishi Galant Fortis on the 2001–2007 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $400 to $1,100 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 18 documented faults on the Mitsubishi Galant Fortis.

Vehicle: Mitsubishi Galant Fortis
Only on: Evolution
Years: 2001–2007
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: manual
System: Suspension

This page covers the Mitsubishi Galant Fortis as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Mitsubishi Galant Fortis faults18 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

What goes wrong

The front upper control arm ball joints on Evo VII–IX wear prematurely under the combination of high lateral cornering forces and the high-caster suspension geometry. Worn upper ball joints produce vague steering, increased positive camber on the affected side, and knocking over bumps. Failure of the ball joint is a critical safety risk as the joint can separate under load, causing sudden loss of steering. Aftermarket pillow ball replacements are available and are commonly used in performance applications but require more frequent inspection.

What you would notice

Knocking or clunking from front suspension over bumps
Vague or loose steering feel
Uneven tyre wear — excessive wear on outer shoulder
Positive camber visible on one or both front wheels
Steering pulling to one side

How to check it

Where to look. Front upper control arm, outboard end at wheel knuckle — both sides

With front wheels raised, grasp the wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock and check for vertical play in the upper ball joint.
Look for torn or missing dust boots on the upper control arm ball joint.
Check tyre wear pattern — excessive outer shoulder wear suggests upper joint allowing positive camber.
Inspect lower ball joint at the same time.

Parts involved: Ball joint.

What it costs to put right

$400 to $1,100 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has any suspension knocking been noticed over bumps or on rough roads?”
“When were the front control arms or ball joints last inspected or replaced?”
“Has the vehicle had a wheel alignment recently and were any issues noted?”

Now check the Mitsubishi Galant Fortis you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Mitsubishi Galant Fortis buyer questions

Is front upper control arm ball joint wear (evo vii–ix) serious on a Mitsubishi Galant Fortis?

We rate it major and common on the Mitsubishi Galant Fortis. The front upper control arm ball joints on Evo VII–IX wear prematurely under the combination of high lateral cornering forces and the high-caster suspension geometry. Worn upper ball joints produce vague steering, increased positive camber on the affected side, and knocking over bumps. Failure of the ball joint is a critical safety risk as the joint can separate under load, causing sudden loss of steering. Aftermarket pillow ball replacements are available and are commonly used in performance applications but require more frequent inspection.

How much does it cost to fix on a Mitsubishi Galant Fortis?

$400 to $1,100 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Mitsubishi Galant Fortis years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2001–2007 Mitsubishi Galant Fortis. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

With front wheels raised, grasp the wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock and check for vertical play in the upper ball joint. Look for torn or missing dust boots on the upper control arm ball joint. Check tyre wear pattern — excessive outer shoulder wear suggests upper joint allowing positive camber. Inspect lower ball joint at the same time. Look here: Front upper control arm, outboard end at wheel knuckle — both sides