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Replacing Ball Joints 

 

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 Post subject: Replacing Ball Joints
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 10:41 am 
Getting Side Ways
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The right lower ball joint is buggered on my ED and am unsure on how to replace it. I've never replaced a ball joint before.
What's involved with replacing it? I'm guessing it would be best to replace both at the same time.
Cheers :)

 

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 Post subject: Re: Replacing Ball Joints
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 10:53 am 
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Not easy to explain without pics, but here goes:

Remove wheel (naturally :lol: ) so jack the car up, put on stands blah blah.............
Jack up the lower wishbone, but not under the ball joint (reason will become apparent later).
Take out the split pin and undo the castlelated nut on top of the ball joint. If you can find another nut to go on top of the joint thats handy otherwise leave the nut on so that the castelations are about level with the top of the ball joint.
Now belt the top of the ball joint downwards until it pops out. Thats why you put the jack under it-to give some resistance. The other nut is to try to limit damage to the original nut and the threaded section. If the top of the ball joint starts to round over you're in trouble.

There is a special ball joint splitter tool available but this is the way I've always done it and have very rarely had trouble.

 

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 Post subject: Re: Replacing Ball Joints
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 10:57 am 
Getting Side Ways
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Cheers for the info Brad....I reckon I'll give it a try. I'll either make it or break it :lol:

 

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 Post subject: Re: Replacing Ball Joints
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 11:35 am 
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They're not too hard mate. You'll only get into trouble if you can't swing the hammer straight :cry: or the top of the ball joint burs over cos they're so f**k tight :evil:

Good luck.

BTW-time taken to acheive should be about 10 cans. :twisted:

 

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 Post subject: Re: Replacing Ball Joints
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:46 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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The Dog wrote:
They're not too hard mate. You'll only get into trouble if you can't swing the hammer straight :cry: or the top of the ball joint burs over cos they're so f**k tight :evil:

Good luck.

BTW-time taken to acheive should be about 10 cans. :twisted:


Funny you should mention 10 cans....Thats exactly how many cans of Bundy Red I've got in the fridge :D

 

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 Post subject: Re: Replacing Ball Joints
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:54 pm 
Getting Side Ways
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Well you've got everything you need then :lol: Good Luck 8-)

 

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 Post subject: Re: Replacing Ball Joints
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:10 am 
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The method described will not remove the ball joint assembly,it will only get the ball joint stud out of the lower control arm. Special tooling is then requied to remove the lower ball joint from the spindle.
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 Post subject: Re: Replacing Ball Joints
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 11:50 am 
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luthor wrote:
The method described will not remove the ball joint assembly,it will only get the ball joint stud out of the lower control arm. Special tooling is then requied to remove the lower ball joint from the spindle.


Yep, its called a 4lb club hammer and a long punch. About 2 to 6 hits and its out. You must remove the circlip first. Then you need tooling and a press to get them back in.
The ones pictured only do the bottom b/j's.

 

 

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 Post subject: Re: Replacing Ball Joints
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 3:58 pm 
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man the original knuckles on my ea were absolutely ridiculous, i almost destroyed my 6 tonne shop press trying the get the lower (bigger) ones out, after trying with hammers (big ones). ended up taking the knuckles to steering places and getting them to replace them, coz they already have the dies etc and they're already out of the car, it's only a minimal labour cost to get them swapped over, i used to supply the joints but now i just take the knuckle to pedders and get them to supply and fit new balljoints. still not expensive.

expect alot of grog and alot more swearing getting them out the first time hehe once you know what your doin it's relatively easy though.

 

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