Changing front upper Ball-joints
Discussion
Has anyone done this? It's something i've been thinking about for a couple of months as one of mine has a bit of play in it. I've had a quick look and they look different to ones i've done in the past on other cars. I assume you can use a normal ball-joint splitter and a big hammer? If someone has any advise or an idiots guide it would be appreciate :-)
I'm about to strip the entire front suspension for a clean up and repaint.
Trackcar reckoned getting the ball joints off was a painful job usually resulting in destruction of the balljoint. So he advised me not to try since mine seem OK and all I want to do is sort the rusty bits.
However, the joints themselves are seriously rusty so I may have a go. (Feels more expense coming along when he wrecks the ball joints)
The top one is easier than the lower. There are just 4 capheads through a metal disc that the ball joint is bolted to. But it looks like the ball joint gets in the way of fitting a hex key and socket and the manual suggests using a ball ended hex key.
I'd suggest loadsa penetrating fluid on the cap heads and leave it to stew for a week before attempting to undo them.
You'll also need to measure/mark the position of the ball joint in the suspension arm slots to get the camber somewhere near when you fit the new one.
HTH
mikesr
Trackcar reckoned getting the ball joints off was a painful job usually resulting in destruction of the balljoint. So he advised me not to try since mine seem OK and all I want to do is sort the rusty bits.
However, the joints themselves are seriously rusty so I may have a go. (Feels more expense coming along when he wrecks the ball joints)
The top one is easier than the lower. There are just 4 capheads through a metal disc that the ball joint is bolted to. But it looks like the ball joint gets in the way of fitting a hex key and socket and the manual suggests using a ball ended hex key.
I'd suggest loadsa penetrating fluid on the cap heads and leave it to stew for a week before attempting to undo them.
You'll also need to measure/mark the position of the ball joint in the suspension arm slots to get the camber somewhere near when you fit the new one.
HTH
mikesr
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