pokegama

I'm in the process of changing out my old lower ball joints with new steel ones on my 81.

Question: How much stuff do I need to take of to get at the nut on the top of the joint? I have the car up on lift bars. I have the brake and rotor off. It looks like I would have to remove the hub to get the back plate off and that seems excessive to replace a ball joint. Should I turn the wheels to a certain angle? I have a centering bolt in now so I can get the alignment close when the new joint is in. The shield and rotor back plate are in the way and I can't get a wrench in there.

How's it done?

mkriete

No need to remove the hub. it helps to turn the wheel and remove the caliper and rotor (you already did this,sorry). I don't recall which way I had the wheel turned, but I think I accessed it from the front. First, mark the orientation of the eccentrics so you can get the alignment a least a little bit close. Thus will be far from perfect since the joint shape is different. Remember you will need to resettle the suspension before you realign. Second, loosen the ball joint nut, but leave attached, just tightened to show no threads at the end of the bolt. Then use a ball joint separator to press the joint from the knuckle (most auto parts stores loan the tool if you don't have one; don't use a pickle fork if you don't have to). Then you can loosen the lower nuts. Replace in the opposite order, trying to realign the marks you made by turning the eccentrics.

ammonman

A standard screw-type ball joint separator will do the trick. Your local big chain parts house will have one you can borrow.

Mike

jheis

HF carries one for about $15. Made in Taiwan, so it's actually pretty good quality.

pokegama

Thanks for the fast response.With your suggestions I did get the ball joint to break loose!

Now, any special things to try to get the ball joint off the lower arm. I have the nuts off the bottom but I can't get the darn eccentrics to come loose or get the joint off the studs. The studs don't come out, do they?

mkriete

The studs run through to the strut bracket, so they are pretty fixed. I bet the nuts are pretty frozen on there. A good dose of PB blaster should help. An impact wrench would help too. It may take some time and patience to break them loose. I have a 30" breaker bar that made easier work of them.

pokegama

Thanks again! I did get the old joint off and I'm trying to get the new one on.

OK so that calls for another stupid question....

How do you get the new ball from turning as you tighten the top bolt?

I have the lower bolts and eccentrics tight and the nut on top isn't pulling the joint up and tight. I'm pretty sure the ball is just turning since it takes no effort to turn the nut. Do I need to push the joint up with a jack to force the joint up to at least get enough grip to keep from turning?

I don't want to bend something or wreck the joint if there is an easier way.

FredR

Just biff it with a rubber mallet- that locks it enough to hold whilst tightening

pokegama

Just to let everyone that responded know...

I did get it to stick. Had to put a jack under the joint and tap down on the nuckle where the ball joint bolt goes through. Took a lot of lifting pressure on the jack and had to whack it a couple of times before it held enough to torque down the nut.

Thanks for all the suggestions

On to the other side!!!