removing ball joints

[masho95]

I'm hoping someone can help me out here. I need to figure out how to remove the ball joints with the subframe out. Do you need to remove all the nuts that hold them to the subframe? I have everything loose but the ball joints don't want to come of the two bushings in the middle? Hit the end with a hammer? Thanks for any input!

 

[rangerj]

masho95,

Are youo replaceing the Lower Control Arm as a unit, or just the ball joins? I will assume you are replacing the LCA as a unit, including the ball joint and bushings.

There should be a nut and bolt through the Lower Control Arm (LCA) where it attaches to the subframe. Then there is a nut on the end of the tension strut where it goes through the LCA.

With both of the aforementioned fasteners removed the LCA is free, assuming the steering knuckle is not still attached to the ball joint.

The strut may be stuck to the bushings and can use some persuasion to be removed. rangerj

 

[projectSHO89]

That strut rod can take a LOT of persuasion to get it out of the LCA.

A flame wrench works pretty well, I've heard.

Steve

 

[3.8Lwagon]

to remove the LCA you need to bacicaly remove all of the front suspension.

unbolt the lca from the frame. then unbolt obht ends of the strut rod (the font is nessary to alow for movement) and then unbolt the LCA from the fron spindel. you will need a crow bar or screw driver to sepreat ears on the spindel. a ball joint puller is needed or a big crowbar to push the lca off of the spindel.

oh yea ..... check out the instructions from autozone.

 

[masho95]

Thanks for the replies. And yes rangerj I am replacing the LCA as a unit not just the ball joints, sorry for the confusion. Is it necessary to remove the strut rod from the subframe? I tried earlier to pull it out but the red bushing on the inside of the subframe on the strut rod won't let me pull it through. This way I could have removed the LCA and strut rod as a unit to work on it easier. But it looks like the LCA should come loose with a little force from the strut rod, from what you all are saying. I'm also installing TPR strut rod bushings, so what's the easiest way to remove the old ones and install the new ones? Thanks again for the help!

Edit: The whole subframe is removed from the car, as I'm currently doing tranny work on the car. So the whole subframe is on the ground to work on.

<small>[ November 05, 2003, 11:49 PM: Message edited by: masho95 ]</small>