How to Replace Ball Joints

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As a ball joint wears out, it can’t pivot or move vertically well enough to absorb bumps or steer smoothly, If it fails completely, you could lose steering control. If you’ve checked the ball joints and determined they need work, follow the steps outlined in this article to replace ball joints.

Steps

1. 1
   Prep the work area.

   
   

   • Park on a flat surface and block both rear wheels, front and back. Jack both front wheels off the ground.
   • You may find it easier to work on the assembly if you take off the front wheels at the very least. Depending on the steering assembly, you may also have to move aside the brakes. If so, use a wire to hang the brakes. Don’t dangle them by the brake lines.
   • Loosen the mounts holding the control arm or sway bar in place to give you more room to move suspension parts away.
2. 2
   Remove the old ball joint.
   • Pull out the cotter pin and loosen the large castellated nut (the top should look like a crown, or castle) at the bottom, or if you’re working on a McPherson strut suspension remove the “pinch bolt” that clamps the ball joint stud. Leave the castellated nut in place, just a few turns in.
   • Pop loose the ball joint, guiding it through the hole in the upper half of the steering knuckle. This could be very difficult, because of the extremely tight fit which helps hold the ball joint in place and the road grime built up around the suspension. You will most likely need to use a hammer and a special tool called a “pickle fork” or tie rod separator to get enough leverage to maneuver. By leaving the castellated nut on, you avoid having the ball joint pop completely out and drop onto the floor, or more likely your foot.
   • Loosen bolts or drill out rivets holding the ball joint in place, and slide out the ball joint. If your auto’s suspension uses pressed-in ball joints, you’ll need to remove the lower control arm and take the assembly to a mechanic with a hydraulic press, who can press the old ball joint out and the new ball joint in.
3. 3
   Install the new joint.
   • Slide the new rubber boot over the ball joint’s stud and guide the new ball joint back up through the steering knuckle hole.
   • Bolt the joint into place using the hardware included with it. Do not re-use old bolts or rubber boots that covered the old ball joint.
   • Refer to the manufacturer’s service manual and use a torque wrench to tighten the bolts and castellated nut to specified levels; reinstall the pinch bolt if working on a McPherson strut.
   • Screw in the new grease fitting and pump grease into the assembly. If you removed the brake or wheel, reattach them and lower the auto.

   
   

Tips

• Consider ball joints as a set. Check to see whether each wheel has one or two ball joints (upper and lower) and replace both; also replace both left and right sides since you have the entire front end lifted.

Things You'll Need

• jack
• wire for hanging brakes
• hammer
• rod separator (“pickle fork”)
• drill
• torque wrench
• grease pump

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