replaced ball joint and what i found!

[legazee]

while replacing the cv axles on the front of the legacyT i noticed the rubber split wide open on the rs ball joint and of course that yuckey water logged grease gooshin out. so i popped out the ball joint and cleaned it off and stamped on the top of it was 555 in the oval....just like on the early wrc legacys. i often wondered what that stood for and have read many explanations as to what sponsor it was,but i dont recall any saying that it was a suspension component manufacturer. maybe those of you more versed in the history of the early wrc legacys could shed some light on this. i emailed the pics to boostjunkie so he could post them so maybe he will soon enuff

[SubbyRS]

The "555" on WRC Legacy's & Impreza's is Cigarette brand sponsorship....

[eastbaysubaru]

Yup, it's a tobacco company. Another problem with WRC events in the U.S.

-Brian

[HomeSlice]

i had trip 5 ball joints on my leg too

[legazee]

thats what i remember from old articles, but i gotta wonder if its totally just that. i find it a little to coincidental that the logo is exactly the same on these suspension parts as whats on the cars. guess i need to do some research on the japanese supplier. the new ball joint came ina moog box so they must be a suspension parts maufacturer in japan similar to moog or beck arnley.

[Dave G]

"All of Hwang Yu's aftermarket steering parts are sold under its world-recognized 555 and Three-Star brands." Quote from http://www.cens.com/linerpt/20021217077.html in case you did not get to the bottom of the mystery.