How to remove ball joint from control arm

Replacing a Lower Control Arm Ball Joint. At this point there is no tension on the camber bolts of the two attachment brackets.

The lower ball joint on my 2001MY XKR has a damaged rubber gaiter so I am in the process of removing and replacing it.

How to remove ball joint from control arm. Replacing a Lower Control Arm Ball Joint. Learn how to replace a lower ball joint by pressing it out of the control arm and pressing the new one back in. This video shows you how to remove that stubborn ball joint nut.

Plus it shows you how to break the ball joint loose from the lower control arm. In this video we explore the age old question. Do I replace just the ball joint or the entire control arm.

Lets weigh the costbennifeit along with an asses. Using metal cutting saw and 800 lbft impact gun I was able to remove the lower control arm ball joint that was extremely rusted and stuck hard. In this video I will show you how I pressed out a lower ball joint.

In this video I will show you how I pressed out a lower ball joint. Lets Get Started 1. Remove the Cotter Pin.

A cotter pin is used to keep the connection between the ball joint and control arm in tact in. Loosen the Castle Nut. Use a 19mm to 22mm wrench or socket to loosen the nut by turning it counterclockwise.

Release the Ball Joint Taper. Remove the cotter pin in the upper control arm ball joint using the wire cutters. Remove the nut on the bottom of the upper ball joint using a wrench.

Separate the ball joint using the ball joint separator tool. Insert the tool between the spindle and the upper control arm and hit it with a hammer until it comes loose from the spindle. Remove the allen bolts and slide the control arm free.

Loosen bolts or drill out rivets holding the ball joint in place and slide out the ball joint. Sometimes its helpful to heat particularly corroded components with a torch to try to loosen them. Be careful if you try this.

Any future search references pickle fork seems to be the best way to get the ball joint out. It may seem like its not working but you gotta make sure you wedge it from various angles. Hammer the pickle fork on one side wrangle it around a bit then remove it and hammer it back in on the opposite side then from the front.

Support the lower control arm near the ball joint with the 2x6 on top of a concrete block. Drive the ball joint out with a big hammer. Put the new ball jount in place and support it useing a 2x4 with a floor jack holding it all up.

Useing a suitable piece of thick wall pipe large enough not to hit the ball joint drive the lower a arm down on the ball joint just like you would if you had it in a press. To start the ball joint must be released which can be done using a large wrench 20mm to 24mm or socket and loosening the ball joint nut after the cotter pin has been removed. Then by using a hammer strike the spindle or control arm bulkhead to shock the taper fit loose.

Then take out the lower ball joint boltremove the tie rod from the assembly this makes it easy to swing the assembly back and forth. Using a ball joint fork insert it between the the ball joint and lower control arm and wack the end on it till the ball joint separates from the control arm. Using a pry bar put it thru the control arm so you can pry down on the control arm to release the ball joint then towards the back of the control arm are 2 nuts remove these and remove.

Bang on the part around the hole that the ball joint goes into. That and heat it with a torch has always worked for me. Thats the best way.

Bang around the side of the hub where the ball joint enters the hole. Youll be surprised at how well it works. The lower ball joint on my 2001MY XKR has a damaged rubber gaiter so I am in the process of removing and replacing it.

JTIS showed this job as a straightforward 8 step procedure so I felt confident getting stuck in. I have released the drop link lower shock mount and lower ball joint. On my truck the upper ball joint controlled the camber adjustment so you could replace the lower ball joint and not need an alignment.

It was the opposite in my dads 04 where the lower control arm adjusted camber so the upper ball joint could be replaced without an alignment. Place the floor jack underneath the wheel knuckle and jack it up three inches 75 cm or so. Remove the 18mm nut securing the upper control arm ball joint to the knuckle.

With the nut removed pull the control arm free from the knuckle. At this point there is no tension on the camber bolts of the two attachment brackets. Position a floor jack under the lower ball joint or control arm to relieve downward pressure on the suspension components.

This will enable you to remove the upper control arm without pressure bearing down on the arm. You might need to remove any small wiring or brake flex hose clips to free up the arm for removal.