R&R Ball Joints this weekend - any tips?
03-19-2009, 08:06 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
R&R Ball Joints this weekend - any tips?
I'll be replacing the front ball joints this weekend and while the repair seems straight forward I have a feeling that the bottom nut will be a pain. Should I try using a breaker bar with the spindle socket or start cutting it off with the dremel? How many dremel cut-off wheels does it take, they never seem to last long?
Any other tips out there? I bought all new parts except for the lock tab so part preservation is not a priority.
Mark
87 911
95 325is
Any other tips out there? I bought all new parts except for the lock tab so part preservation is not a priority.
Mark
87 911
95 325is
03-19-2009, 08:56 PM
#2
I haddah Google dat
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
you have new Lemforder ball joints right? You may also need two new wedge pins and new wedge pin nuts.
If you are plannging to take the strut out of the car, use a tie rod separator, not a pickle fork. I have a pic of one if you need.
The nut on the ball joint can be very hard to remove, as you have pointed out. I used a big pipe wrench and a fencepost as a breaker bar. I installed the new balljoint with an expensive balljoint socket, but in hindsight you can do that with a pipe wrench as well. No need to cut the balljoint nut off. Just a pipe wrench and some PB Blaster.
Is this part of a bigger project, or are you just replacing the ball joints?
If you are plannging to take the strut out of the car, use a tie rod separator, not a pickle fork. I have a pic of one if you need.
The nut on the ball joint can be very hard to remove, as you have pointed out. I used a big pipe wrench and a fencepost as a breaker bar. I installed the new balljoint with an expensive balljoint socket, but in hindsight you can do that with a pipe wrench as well. No need to cut the balljoint nut off. Just a pipe wrench and some PB Blaster.
Is this part of a bigger project, or are you just replacing the ball joints?
03-20-2009, 06:52 PM
#4
Instructor
Thread Starter
I bought a spindle nut socket for $20 at a local autoparts store. I don't really need it after this project but I do need it for tightening. I have a pickle fork to free the ball joint.
I bought lemforder bushings, wedge pins, locking nuts and the ball joint nuts.
This is the only part of the project. I installed the front struts last year which was an improvement but I'm hoping this improves the front end. The suspension is all original with 75k miles. Next up will be the rear shocks and tie rods if i'm not satisified after the ball joints.
Mark
I bought lemforder bushings, wedge pins, locking nuts and the ball joint nuts.
This is the only part of the project. I installed the front struts last year which was an improvement but I'm hoping this improves the front end. The suspension is all original with 75k miles. Next up will be the rear shocks and tie rods if i'm not satisified after the ball joints.
Mark
03-21-2009, 05:39 PM
#5
Instructor
Thread Starter
All done, I ended up using a pipe wrench to remove and the special tool to install. The front end exhibits a lot less bump steer but I did notice the left front tie rod boot is cracked so those are next on the list.
Mark
Mark