Bottom ball joint

[ukjohnny]

MOT failed on two bottom ball joints, I'm tempted to do this myself as the garage price was 45 quid for either side.

Anyone got a simple guide I can follow !!

Any help appreciated.

John

 

[Bluebeard]

Make sure you've got a big fcuking hammer!!

I've got a set to do tomorrow on a 99000 mile Clio that's been stood up for 2 years.

Not looking forward to it!

Sadly, I'm not technically minded enough to do you a guide. But basic tools, axel stands, good jack, some copper slip and a bit of gentle persuasion is all that's needed.

 

[Budgie]

Loosen wheel bolts
Jack up.
Stick on axle stands.
Remove wheel
Remove brake caliper - 2x 18mm bolts
Remove brake disc - little torx screws. Might be worth loosening these while you've got the calipers on.
Remove pinch bolt
Use ball joint seperator to split hub and wishbone. If you don't have a seperator, use a breaker bar to put pressure on the wishbone, and use a hammer and chisel to hit the wishbone down.
Undo 2x 18mm nuts underneath ball joint.

Reverse procedure to fit.

 

[1812lsd]

Make sure BOTH front wheels are off the ground, & take extreme care when doing the passenger side. It's easy to accidentaly pull the drive shaft out from the gearbox, which will dump all your gear oil over your drive.

 

[jamesv6]

Just done both mine on my 104000 mile 182 and it wasn't too bad....brute force is the key and a couple of prybars and ball joint splitter, oh don't forget wd40 or any kind of penetrating fluid.

 

[ukjohnny]

I pretty confident In my ability to complete simple tasks such as changing brake disc / calipers etc. Ball joints are something I've never done, so I just needed something / someone to point me in the right direction.

Thanks guys

does anyone have a copy of haynes manual in pdf format ?

 

[Bluebeard]

If you can change discs and pads, you will piss the ball joints.

 

[ukjohnny]

Thanks Daniel..

You've motivated me enough to give it ago

 

[Bluebeard]

I am a fat fingered ham fisted buffoon and I can do it so you'll be 'reet.

 

[jesus]

That pinch bolt is a b*****d.

 

[1812lsd]

does anyone have a copy of haynes manual in pdf format ?

 

[ukjohnny]

cheers 1812lsd

​

 

[.Ben.]

Loosen wheel bolts
Jack up.
Stick on axle stands.
Remove wheel
Remove brake caliper - 2x 18mm bolts
Remove brake disc - little torx screws. Might be worth loosening these while you've got the calipers on.
Remove pinch bolt
Use ball joint seperator to split hub and wishbone. If you don't have a seperator, use a breaker bar to put pressure on the wishbone, and use a hammer and chisel to hit the wishbone down.
Undo 2x 18mm nuts underneath ball joint.

Reverse procedure to fit.

^ This. But I didn't find the need to remove the disc. Support the caliper on a spare axle stand to take the tension off the hose/ fixing. You may find that the pinch bolt is a tw*t to get out. WD40 & a quick spin with a socket on the bolt end should see you free it, before you molest it with a hammer.

Be careful not to let the passenger side drive shaft fall out of the gearbox, too!

Also, use a fork-type ball-joint splitter. You'll thank us later...

 

[Gandi69]

wedging the wishbone down too helps, otherwise when the ball joint is removed it can spring back and catch the cv boot damaging it