Ball joint replacement tips or suggestions ?

[Moody Blue]

Need to replace both upper and lower ball joints on my 96 Safari van. Upper joints look simple but the lower ones are apparently pressed into the lower control arm. Anyone done these themselves who might offer some tips or suggestions ? Don't have the "proper" tools but I am good at improvising.

 

[jimr]

Re: Ball joint replacement tips or suggestions ?

to improvise you need a Big hammer,chisel(or grinder) and a bottle jack. for the top ones cut head off rivets and drive them out. for the bottom ones just pop them a few times with a hammer and they should come out. to install put in hole and use jack under them to keep pressure on it and hit a frame near the ball joint. Make sure you TORQUE the ball joint stud when you get it in.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Ball joint replacement tips or suggestions ?

I find that a large block of wood instead of a bottle jack creates less bounce, the wood absorbes the hammer blows. Also when installing, the wood won't damage the ball joint.

 

[dolluper]

Re: Ball joint replacement tips or suggestions ?

Throw the lower ball in the freezer until your ready to install[shwinks it] ,if you have a socket the size of the ball face use it with the jack,apply some pressure and hit on either side of control arm back and forth until seated in control arm ,clean the mounting hole in arm [wire brush] before you install ball, when you are taking it out put the nut back on top of the ball after you have seperated it with the pickle fork ,it will give you a bigger target to beat out "Note" make sure you have a stand under the control arm inside of the ball when seperating ,remove rotor and hang caliper with wire out of your way

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Ball joint replacement tips or suggestions ?

Be sure to use a spring compressor.<br /><br />I did this last year and it is a PIA.<br /><br /><br />You much make sure it is in perfectly straight when beating with a hammer. If it gets just a little bit crooked, start over.<br /><br />Some auto parts stores will lend out the proper tool to press the ball joint in.<br /><br /><br />Harbor Freight sells the proper tool for 20 bucks.<br /><br /> http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=38335

 

[K Hultgre]

Re: Ball joint replacement tips or suggestions ?

I agree with Ken, If nothing else go rent one. It will save the frustration and or skinned knuckles.

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Re: Ball joint replacement tips or suggestions ?

Autozone has the tool for free rental. If you don't use it definetely do the freezer trick, prefebaly overnight.

 

[K Hultgre]

Re: Ball joint replacement tips or suggestions ?

Better than the freezer trick is Dry Ice, just be sure to use oven mitts when handling ice and part.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Ball joint replacement tips or suggestions ?

Thanks everyone for the great advise. I really like the idea of the frozen joint. If I heat the control arm as well it should almost drop in. I called every autoparts supplier within 30 miles and NO ONE carried the tool in stock. They could order it in for about $180.00. NOT. The local shops only rented the pickle forks but I already have one. Tried several sources from the US but they would not ship into Canada SO I looked on e-bay and got one for $31.00. Should make the job easier but still a PITA. I'll let you know how it went once I get it done. Thanks again !!!

 

[kenimpzoom]

Re: Ball joint replacement tips or suggestions ?

Good you got the right tool, trust me you will be glad you did.<br /><br />Ken

 

[dolluper]

Re: Ball joint replacement tips or suggestions ?

Don't heat your control arm that's a NO NO

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Ball joint replacement tips or suggestions ?

Don't heat the control arm ? Why not ? I'm not going to get it glowing red hot. Just using a propane torch to make it hot. Don't think those low temps will alter the characteristics of the steel. Will it ?

 

[dolluper]

Re: Ball joint replacement tips or suggestions ?

It deforms the ball opening then your really into a fix ,just put the nut back on after it's sperated and beat it hard of coarse with the stand under the control arm between ball and inner control arm it will come out with a good beating the nut will give you a bigger target But if you have the tool it will take them out also keep in mind you will have to have it jacked pretty high in order to install the ball with the tool approx 2 1/2 feet from bottom of control arm to the ground AS A RULE OF THUMB YOU DON"T HEAT ANY FRONT END PARTS unless your not reuseing them

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Ball joint replacement tips or suggestions ?

OK good news all around. I got all four joints replaced today with the help of the press I bought off e-bay. I don't think I could have done the lower joints without the press. To remove the lower joints I installed the press and tightened it till I thought it would break then I gave the control arm a good smack with a 4Ib hammer and it popped right out. Putting them in was easy with the press. I did drop them in the freezer overnight and that probably helped. I can't see how you would do it with just a hammer. The upper joints were easy as expected.<br /><br />While everything was apart I decided to check and repack the wheel bearings. When I removed the dust cap I found that the cotter pin that holds the hub nut on was not there The last time this was apart was at a brake shop to have the front brakes done 2 1/2 years and almost 70,000KM ago. That nut could have worked loose and fallen off at anytime but it was still properly adjusted. Good fortune followed me with this vehicle.

 

[brother chris]

Re: Ball joint replacement tips or suggestions ?

Originally posted by RodC:<br /> <br /><br /> When I removed the dust cap I found that the cotter pin that holds the hub nut on was not there The last time this was apart was at a brake shop to have the front brakes done 2 1/2 years and almost 70,000KM ago. That nut could have worked loose and fallen off at anytime but it was still properly adjusted. Good fortune followed me with this vehicle.

Wow! You are one lucky dude. We all know what would have happened if that bolt came off.