Any use in changing control arms if only my ball joints need to be replaced?

In most cars now the ball joints are only available as control arm assemblies. Often the ball joints are swaged or spot welded into the control arms. You don't mention make, model, or year, but I bet yours is like that. Usually it is a bargain as you get the new bushings with it and you can bet the existing ones have deteriorated over the years.

I used to feel the same way, then I started looking at what I got with the control arm and was happy for the bargain.

Unless you slammed the car into a high curb I doubt you need new control arms, however, I don't see what car you have. Some exotic models are peculiar in that way their parts relate. Control arms usually have replaceable bushings as a wear part to preserve the rest of it. I have to side with your dad- especially since he looked at it and I cannot. If you want an exact answer, look in Chilton's Auto Repair manual at the public library and it will show you what's involved in replacing your ball joints or control arms.

On a lot of models, the ball joints are not replaceable without replacing the control arms. People like cheap a&* cars.

Sometimes you actually save labor by replacing the control arm and ball joint as one unit. Plus, if your ball joints are worn, chances are the control arm bushings might have wear. It's not that cut and dried.

I guess u are the expert..