Michaelc

Thanks for any assistance in advance. I was planning to replace my lower control arm bushings with Chris Walrod's bushing tommorow. I prepared the car earlier this week and reviewed several things tonight. While I'm doing this I am also replacing the lower ball joints, the have 98k on them. I just put a new steering rack in the car and have yet to re-install the tie rods. Can I get some advice on removing the ball joints? It seem very tight and I'm hoping for some advice before spending more time than I'd like finding my own way! All advice would be appreciated.

johnsjmc

You will need a tool to remove the tapered ball stud. Cheapest way is with a "pickle fork" and hammer. The fasteners will be very tight . Mark the eccentric caster adjusters before removal so you can keep your algnment close. You should still get an alignment after bushings,ball joints and rack are replaced.

Michaelc

"You will need a tool to remove the tapered ball stud. Cheapest way is with a "pickle fork" and hammer. The fasteners will be very tight . Mark the eccentric caster adjusters before removal so you can keep your algnment close. You should still get an alignment after bushings,ball joints and rack are replaced."

Thanks for that, i've got that covered and will get an alignment when all is said and done. Getting a wrench on the ball joint nut seems pretty tough. Not much room to get a wrench, socket, etc... in there. Any advice as to how to get that bolt off?

chris walrod

Yeah, that ball joint nut can be tough to get at. Use a closed end box wrench for that, then use the pickle fork.

Michaelc

Thanks Chris, I hope this goes as planned! I'm really concerned the ball joint will be a bear. Not a lot of room to get around in there!

Michaelc

Everything came off without a hitch! Liberal use of penetrating oil for the last week must have helped as the only trouble came from the driver's side ball joint which did not want to leave the party. Now that the control arms are off, any suggestings on how best to clean them up before I make the repairs? Cleaners, wire wheel, solvents, ?????

AOW162435

My bead-blasting cabinet?

Seriously, that has worked great for me on numerous control arms and other 993 suspension components.


Andreas