Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Assembly 8-94459453-0 8944594530 For ISUZU D-MAX TFR TFS Pickup 4JA1 4JB1 — OEM Verified, Ø17.6mm Cone, M14×1.5 Thread, Front Upper Both Sides

The Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Assembly with OEM references 8-94459453-0 / 8944594530 is a verified direct-fit front suspension component for ISUZU D-MAX I (TFR / TFS) pickups and related Campo / Faster platforms. This ball joint is the upper pivot connecting the front upper control arm to the steering knuckle, allowing the suspension to articulate while maintaining correct wheel alignment geometry. It serves the front upper axle position on both left and right sides.

Manufactured to OEM specification with a Ø 17.6 mm stud cone and M14 × 1.5 external thread, this component is widely cross-referenced under Blue Print ADZ98605, CTR CBIS14, 555 SB5281, Febi 14117, and TC549. It is supplied with attachment/mounting material in the Blue Print reference and is a brand-new component suitable for both workshop repair and fleet maintenance. Reference weight is 0.7–0.73 kg depending on brand and packaging.

• Position Verified: Front Axle, Upper, Both Sides — confirmed by Blue Print ADZ98605 (“Front Axle Left, Front Axle Right, Upper”) and EdgeSpareParts (“Fitting Position: Upper, both sides”).
• Cone Size Verified: Ø 17.6 mm — confirmed by Dayco DSS2559 (“Cone Size [mm]: 17,6”) and EdgeSpareParts (“Cone Size [mm]: 17,6”).
• Thread Size Verified: M14 × 1.5 — confirmed by Blue Print ADZ98605 (“External Thread Size: M14 x 1,5”) and Dayco DSS2559 (“Thread Size 1: M14x1.5”).
• Weight Verified: 0.7 kg (okisuzu TFR54 listing) / 0.73 kg (EdgeSpareParts) — consistent across independent suppliers.
• Vehicle Coverage Verified: Confirmed for ISUZU D-MAX I (TFR/TFS) 2002–2012, TFR/TFS Pickup 1988–2002, Campo / Faster (KB, TF), Opel Campo, Vauxhall Brava, Opel/Vauxhall Frontera, Honda Passport, and Isuzu Trooper applications.
• Cross-Reference Density Verified: 8-94459453-0, 8944594530, 94459453, 8944594532, 8944594533, 8944594534, 8-94459-453-4, 8-94374-424-0, 8943744240, 8979406250, 94224550, 94243234, 310821, 310828, 0310822 are consistently grouped as interchangeable/related references across Blue Print, Febi, Dayco, and Oscaro catalogs.
• Brand Cross-Reference Verified: Blue Print ADZ98605, CTR CBIS14, 555 SB5281, Febi 14117, TC549, Dayco DSS2559, Borg & Beck BBJ5285, Moog OP-BJ-0177, TRW JBJ275.
• Mounting Material Inclusion Verified: Blue Print ADZ98605 is supplied “with attachment/mounting material” — reducing installation downtime.

• Clunking or popping from the front upper suspension: A worn upper ball joint allows the control arm to shift under load, producing a metallic clunk over bumps or during steering input — the most common early symptom on aging TFR/D-MAX pickups.
• Vague or loose steering feel: Excessive play in the upper ball joint translates to steering free play and reduced directional stability, especially noticeable at highway speed.
• Uneven or accelerated front tire wear: A worn upper ball joint changes camber and caster angles, causing shoulder wear, cupping, or feathered edges on the front tires.
• Squeaking or creaking over bumps: Loss of internal lubrication or a damaged boot allows contaminants into the ball socket, producing audible friction noise.
• Visible boot damage or grease loss: A torn or cracked dust boot is the leading cause of accelerated ball joint wear — if the boot is compromised, the joint should be inspected and replaced promptly.
• Wheel alignment that cannot be brought into specification: A ball joint with excessive axial or radial play prevents correct camber/caster adjustment, indicating the joint itself must be replaced.

• 4x2 vs. 4x4 is the first check: Euro4x4parts explicitly lists this ball joint for TFR 4x2 1997–2003. While DEAUTO and EdgeSpareParts extend coverage to D-MAX I 2002–2012 broadly, the 4x4 upper control arm geometry may differ. Confirm the vehicle’s drive type and the original ball joint’s Ø 17.6 mm cone before ordering.
• 8-94459453-0 vs. related numbers: This OE family includes 8-94459-453-4, 8944594532, 8944594533, 8944594534 and 8-94374-424-0. These are grouped as functionally interchangeable for the upper position across TFR/Campo/Frontera platforms. Read the original unit’s marking where possible.
• Upper vs. lower: This is the upper ball joint. The lower ball joint uses a different reference and is not interchangeable. Do not substitute upper for lower or vice versa.
• Alignment is mandatory: After replacing any front suspension ball joint, a professional wheel alignment is required to restore camber, caster, and toe settings.

1. Confirm drive type and cone size first: Verify the vehicle’s drive type (4x2 vs. 4x4) and measure the original ball joint’s Ø 17.6 mm cone. Match the replacement to these dimensions before installation.
2. Safety first: Park on level ground, engage the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels. Loosen the front wheel lug nuts before raising the vehicle. Support the front corner securely on jack stands.
3. Support the lower control arm: Place a jack under the lower control arm to relieve tension on the upper ball joint before removal.
4. Separate the ball joint from the knuckle: Remove the cotter pin and retaining nut. Use a ball joint separator to press the stud out of the knuckle. Do not hammer on the knuckle or ball joint housing — this can damage the taper or crack the knuckle.
5. Remove the ball joint from the control arm: Depending on the design, the ball joint may be press-fit or bolt-in. Use the appropriate press tool or remove the mounting bolts. Note the orientation for reassembly.
6. Clean the mating surfaces: Remove all dirt, rust, and old thread-locking compound from the control arm and knuckle tapers. A clean taper is essential for a secure fit.
7. Install the new ball joint: Press or bolt the new 8-94459453-0 ball joint into the control arm. Do not grease the taper unless specified by the workshop manual.
8. Reconnect to the knuckle: Insert the stud into the knuckle taper, install the nut, and torque to the workshop manual specification. Install a new cotter pin.
9. Grease the joint (if equipped with a grease fitting): Use the specified chassis grease until fresh grease purges from the boot. Do not over-grease — excessive pressure can rupture the boot.
10. Professional wheel alignment: Mandatory after ball joint replacement. Camber, caster, and toe must be reset to specification.
11. Road test: Test drive at low speed, listening for abnormal noise and checking for steering pull or vibration before returning the vehicle to service.

• Inspect ball joint boots at every suspension service or every 20,000–30,000 km — a torn boot is the leading cause of premature ball joint failure.
• Check for play by raising the front wheel and attempting to rock the tire at the 12 and 6 o’clock positions. Any detectable play warrants replacement.
• Grease the joint (if equipped with a fitting) at every oil change or according to the ISUZU maintenance schedule.
• Replace in pairs when possible: If one upper ball joint has failed, the opposite side is likely at a similar wear stage. Replacing both simultaneously maintains balanced suspension performance.

• Standard packing: Neutral carton with protective wrapping; customer-branded packaging available on request.
• Package contents: 1 × Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Assembly. Mounting nut, cotter pin, and mounting material included in Blue Print reference — confirm inclusion for other brands at inquiry.
• Set options: Single ball joint / front upper pair (left + right) — specify at inquiry.
• Suitable for: ISUZU D-MAX / TFR / TFS / Campo suspension repair shops, 4x2 and 4x4 specialists, light commercial fleet maintenance departments, spare parts distributors, and export wholesalers serving Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Europe.
• Related parts available: Lower ball joint (8-98005-875-0 / 8-98389-667-0 for later D-MAX; 8-94459464-0 / related for TFR), upper control arm, lower control arm, tie rod ends, and complete front suspension rebuild kits for the TFR/D-MAX platform.