How to Replace Ball Joints By Yourself
How to Replace Ball Joints By YourselfIf you face any kind of symptoms while driving your car, you definitely need to check on the ball joints of your car. If you see rust and space between the ball joint and the point of contact, then you must realize that it is time to replace the ball joints. Here is the short procedure of how to replace the ball joints of your vehicle on your own.
Step: 1 Prepare the Work Area
Park your car on a flat surface and block all four wheels. Then, you need to jack both of the front wheels from the ground and support them with jack stands. After that, choking the back tires is needed to ensure that the car does not move while working.
Step: 2 Inspect the Ball Joints
After prepping the area, you need to inspect the ball joints if the ball joints are actually malfunctioning. Moreover, you need to check if it needs to be mended or to be replaced. Also, if you see any space between the ball joint and the point of contact, the ball joint must need to be replaced.
Step: 3 Purchase the Correct Ball Joint for Your Vehicle
Ball joints vary on the types and model, weight capacity, suspension system of a vehicle. So you need to know first which type of ball joint is suitable for your vehicle. You can take expert opinion regarding this matter. It is a crucial part of this process because if you fail to buy the ball joint for your car, you may find severe difficulties while driving.
Step: 4 Remove the Wheel and Access the Ball Joint
You need to unbolt the caliper, upper controller, and lower controller from the knuckle to get this job done. You do not need to remove the tire rod. After unbolting these parts, you will get access to ball joints and be able to press them out.
Step: 5 Soak All the Bolts and Nuts
Then it would be best if you soaked all the bolts and nuts with penetrating fluid. After that, you will be able to remove the bolts of the upper and lower controllers easily. So the caliper would be ready to come off. Make sure that the brake caliper does not hang around the brake line, and it will damage the brake line.
Step: 6 Remove the Old Ball Joint
Remove all the bolts and rivets that are holding the ball joint and then pull out the ball joint. You can heat particularly corroded components by using a lighter or torch to remove the ball joint. But you need to be careful if you try this.
Step: 7 Installing New Ball Joint
Install the new ball joints by following the manufacturer’s guide. After setting the ball joint into its place, tighten the nuts and bolts again. And then, reset the caliper, controllers and tires to their place.
How Much to Replace Ball Joints
Ball joints are not so expensive to buy. You can buy a ball joint for $20 to $50 and the price depends on the type of your vehicle and what type of quality you want for your automobile. But the replacement cost is much higher than the price of a ball joint.
If your rust is extensive or you’ve lost patience, start by removing the suspension. It’s possible that replacing the whole control arm and ball joint as a single unit will be necessary; this will set you back between $100 and $500.
It is estimated that around $350 to $650 is needed to replace ball joints because there are many instruments and tools like- ball joint press, different types of hammers, wrenches, breaker bar, pliers, ratchet, different sized sockets and extensions, thread locker, grease gun, penetrating fluid etc. Also, the cost also depends upon how much damage has happened to your car due to bad ball joints.
How Long Does It Take to Replace Ball Joints
Replacing ball joints is not so much an easy task to do because you need to replace an important internal part of an automobile. You need to remove the tires and calipers, upper and lower controllers. Then there are a lot of steps and a lot of instruments are needed to have done this job.
If you are a newbie at this job, you may need 1 – 2 hours to finish this job completely. But an expert mechanic will not need more than one or 1.5 hours in total to finish the job and replace the ball joints of both sides. The duration also depends on how much damage has been done to the vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If you’re wondering whether you can change ball joints without a press, the answer is yes! You can definitely do it without one. All you need is a few simple tools and some elbow grease.
Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need to do:
1. Use a jack to lift up the car. Make sure the car is stable before you get started.
2. Remove the wheel.
3. Use a wrench to loosen the nuts that hold the ball joint in place.
4. Tap the joint out with a hammer. Be careful not to damage the threads.
5. Install the new joint by tapping it in with a hammer. Again, be careful not to damage the threads.
6. Tighten the nuts that hold the joint in place.
7. Lower the car and replace the wheel.
That’s all there is to it! With a little bit of effort, you can change ball joints without a press.
First, you’ll need to gather a few tools. You’ll need a jack and stands, a ball joint separator, a hammer, and some grease. You’ll also need access to a press if you don’t have a ball joint separator.
Next, you’ll need to prepare your vehicle. Jack it up and support it on stands. Then, remove the wheel. Once the wheel is off, you’ll be able to see the ball joint.
If you’re using a ball joint separator, hook it up to the ball joint and start prying. The goal is to separate the ball joint from the control arm. It may take some force, but be careful not to damage the control arm.
If you’re using a press, place the ball joint in the press and apply pressure until it pops out. Again, be careful not to damage the control arm.
Once the ball joint is removed, you can clean off any old grease and apply new grease to the joint. Then, simply pop the new ball joint in and reassemble everything. That’s all there is to it!
Replacing a ball joint is a relatively simple task that can be completed in about an hour. However, if you are not familiar with the process, it is always best to consult with a professional mechanic to ensure the job is done correctly. incorrect.
Assuming you have all the necessary tools and parts, the steps to replacing a ball joint are as follows:
1. Jack up the car and support it on jack stands.
2. Remove the wheel.
3. Disconnect the strut assembly from the lower control arm.
4. Separate the ball joint from the knuckle using a ball joint separator tool.
5. Install the new ball joint into the knuckle and reconnect the strut assembly to the lower control arm.
6. Lower the car and install the wheel.
With these simple steps, you can have your ball joint replaced in no time! However, as mentioned before, if you are not confident in your abilities, it is always best to consult with a professional mechanic before attempting any repairs.
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