lower ball joint replacement

[Hubes]

today when i got my oil changed the mechanic told me i should look into getting some new lower ball joints because they had some "play" with them. how hard are these to install and also how much should i expect the price to be on the parts. my dad and i can do the labor.

 

[projectSHO89]

First, check them yourself. Here's what the Helms says: (Paraphrased)

Raise the tire off the ground.

Grasp tire at top (12 o'clock) and bottom (6 o'clock) positions and try to move the tire in and out.

Observe lower end of steering knuckle and the lower control arm. Any movement indicates abnormal ball joint wear.

If any movement is observed, replace the lower control arm (LCA).

While you're at it, you might as well check your tie rod ends. Grasp the tire at 6 and 9 o'clock and try to rock it. If a tie rod end is bad, you will be able to see or feel it's movement. If you find a bad outer, also check for a bad inner. If both are bad, the failed outer can mask the presence of the bad inner causing more work after you replaced the outer. (Don't ask me how I learned that one!)

LCA costs around $80 from most local parts stores $60 each from www.rockauto.com.

Steve

 

[Hubes]

hey thanks alot

 

[AutoXSHO]

Only problem with this testing method is that with the car off the ground the ball joint is loaded differently than it is on the ground. I've never found it to be an accurate test of the ball joint condition.

What I do is the same test with the car on the ground. You can also watch the ball joint while someone turns the wheel (with the car running). You may be able to see the ball joint moving in a way it shouldn't.

The ball joints are integral with the LCA as mentioned. Now would be a good time to upgrade the strut rod bushing in the new LCA with a polyurethane bushing. A bit of a pain to do since you need to cut out the factory rubber bushing, but a good performance increase.

The LCA replacement itself is somewhat of a PITA, since it's tough to get the ball joint in the knuckle with the LCA already in the frame mount and with the strut rod installed (which is the only way to do it unfortunately). Be careful not to damage the nice new boot on the ball joint.

John V

 

[gregr]

I did the Lower conrol arm replacement about 2 weeks ago. It's quick if you have the right tools. Make sure you have a 24mm deep socket and a 24mm box wrench. I had to run to Sears with the car apart to get both of these items. wink

If I had all the tools at the start, it would have taken less than an hour from start to finish. In impact wrench helps also.

Good luck.

 

[MeShoHorny]

Buy the Moog LCA's at rockauto ($60each). They come with zerk fittings so you can grease them. I did both sides 3 weeks ago and the entire job took me 3hrs.

Loosen up the strut rod to LCA 1st. Then bust out the ball joint. Once the ball joint is out work on the two 24mm? bolts thats connect it to the frame.

If you don't run into any rusted on bolts the job is NOT a PITA.

BTW, use a 15mm open end wrench to hold the strut bar in place while you are unbolting it from the LCA.

Cake walk.

 

[smcallis]

John V,

You mention it being a PITA to get the ball jt in he knuckle...How do you do it cause I thought mine was a piece of cake. I had a helper (15yr old son) but... 10 seconds, it was in.

Sean

 

[Blast7]

I had to replace my lower ball joint(they come as a whole lower control arm) and it took me forever because the bushing on the control arm where the tension strut goes was frozen. I highly recommend buying some new tension struts in case you run into this problem.

 

[RStalveyARFF]

all you people, the LCA is easy to replace!!! You unbolt the LCA at the frame and pop it out of it's little "box". you undo the 18mm pinch bolt and remove it, and open up the gap with a hard flathead screwdriver. You then take a 24mm deep well and use it on the end of a breaker bar to push the LCA downward, and out of the knuckle. Once this is done, you undo that nut and pull the LCA off. FWIW, The struts need to come off anyway for when I drop the car. Jay, I can do them while I'm in there, it's no added effort. And get the moogs.