Parts for your 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer-Ball joints

2017 Mitsubishi Lancer Ball Joints

Ball joints are absolutely used on the 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer. Mitsubishi’s workshop manual for the CJ/CF Lancer (MY2017) lists a MacPherson strut front suspension with a lower control arm and a serviceable lower ball joint. This is echoed by OEM parts catalogues (Mitsubishi ASA/EPC) and major aftermarket catalogues from brands commonly supplied in Australia and New Zealand, which all list front lower ball joints for the 2008–2017 Lancer platform. So, yes—this vehicle is fitted with ball joints and they’re a normal service consideration.

On a 2017 Lancer, the front lower ball joint acts like a pivot between the steering knuckle and the lower control arm. It lets the wheel move up and down over bumps while steering left and right stays smooth and controlled. Think of it as a sturdy spherical hinge that keeps the front end feeling tight and predictable, protecting tyres from odd wear and keeping braking and cornering behaviour consistent.

These joints are sealed units on most Lancers of this era, so there’s no greasing nipple—maintenance is all about regular inspection. During routine servicing or a WOF/reg check, it’s smart to have the boots checked for splits and the joint checked for free play with the suspension unloaded. Any torn boot, loss of grease, or detectable play is a red flag. Left too long, a worn ball joint can cause clunks over bumps, vague steering, feathered tyre wear, and in worst cases, loss of control.

Replacement is straightforward for a trained tech: separate the tapered stud from the knuckle, press out the old joint (or replace the control arm if the joint is integral on certain variants), then press in the new joint and torque all fasteners to factory spec with a fresh cotter pin where used. An alignment afterwards is a good idea to keep tyre wear in check. Quality matters here—OE or reputable aftermarket joints last longer and stay quieter.

For most Lancers driven on normal roads, ball joints commonly last well beyond 100,000 km, but Aussie and Kiwi conditions—heat, corrugations, road debris—can shorten that. Listen for front-end knocks, watch for uneven tyre wear, and get any steering shimmy checked promptly. Catching wear early keeps the car feeling sharp and saves tyres and suspension bushes from copping extra stress.

• Watch for: clunks, wandering steering, uneven tyre wear, squeaks on turns.
• Inspect at each service, replace at first sign of play or boot damage.
• Always align after replacement and use quality parts.

Popular questions about 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer ball joints

How long do the ball joints typically last?
With normal use, many Lancer ball joints will see 100,000–150,000 km or more. Rough roads, heavy loads, or torn boots can accelerate wear. Regular inspections during servicing help pick up issues before they affect handling or tyres.

What are the common signs the ball joints need replacing?
Clunks over bumps, vague or wandering steering, vibration through the wheel, and uneven tyre wear are the usual tells. A split dust boot or visible grease leak also calls for prompt attention.

Do they replace just the ball joint or the whole control arm?
On most 2017 Lancers, the lower ball joint can be replaced separately. Some owners and workshops choose to fit a complete lower control arm if bushes are tired as well—often better value and less labour overall.