lower control arm ball joint

[graham7773]

I was looking at the Max Ellery's VT VX VY workshop manual and it says the VT lower control arm ball joint is not serviceable and the whole control arm with ball joint, must be replaced as a unit. Holden confirms this. Any thoughts, suggestions. The reason I am asking, apart from thinking they may need replacing, is I see the ball joints for sale on ebay @ $35 a pair. If the control arm is only serviced as a unit, what may happen if I put new ball joints in an old control arm?
Just by the way, the ball joints are $17:50 each over the counter, Holden dealer wants $219 for the whole control arm so $438 a pair compared to $35 for 2 ball joints plus about $5 each to have them pressed in. Why do I feel I am being ripped off....again!

[graham7773]

Nobody have any thoughts on this post? Or am I missing something?

[Zeussy]

Yeahh, I replaced the ball joints in my VY, not sure if they say they're a servicable item or not, but I got them pressed in at Pedders, for free when I bought a bunch of other bushes.

Feels good, no noticeable ghey-ness, i'd say go for it

Maybe they think along the lines of, if the ball joints had a hard life etc, the arm might be slightly bent so should be replaced? Or they're just trying to rip us all off!! something? lol