Lower ball joints (1 Viewer)

[Pucker5]

Can they be replaced without removing the lower control arm?

 

[olive]

Yep. I did mine but I did have the CV shafts out at the time.

 

[flintknapper]

It can be done...but most report it is much easier to remove it, since getting the ball joints to start straight can be an issue. Others have done it without too much trouble.

 

[87warrior]

The lower ball joint is easily replaced with the control arm still bolted to the rig. The lower ball joint is easier than the upper. I have had great luck using the Harbor Freight ball joint press and included cups.

• Remove brake caliper and secure it
• Pull the knuckle off and tie up the upper control arm. Also tie the axle out of the way (pulling the axle is very easy as well). Remove the hub flange and axle circle clip to remove the knuckle/hub assembly as one unit. You wont have to mess with the wheel bearings this way. Beware, it is heavy.
• Remove the clip from the ball joint and press the ball joint out
• Clean up ball joint mounting cup on the control arm and press in new ball joint and install clip
• Grease spindle bushing while it's apart
• Reinstall knuckle and hub
• Reinstall brake caliper

 

[Leandro]

I did it with the LCA on, pretty easy job if you have the right tools.
I loaned the Autozone ball joint press, worked great. Just a caveat, to press the new ball joint in, there's no tube with the exact size, so went to Home Depot and bought a 2" nipple, worked like a charm and spent around $3.