Lower ball joint to hub assembly "worn ball joint"

[quik99]

As some of you may know i have had problems trying to find this blasted knocking from the O/S front. BUT...... i think iv found the problem!

Im pretty sure my drivers side lower balljoint has seen better days but would just like confirmation of "worn" balljoint signs. The passenger side lower arm was replaced 6 months ago but from looking at receipts and history it appears the drivers side has never been done.

When looking under the car and looking at the lower arm on each side, where the arm connects to the rest of the hub assembley (where the ball joint is) there is a gap which opens up and wobbles when someone turns the steerings wheel (dry steer). The passenger side sits flush and only moves as it should, or in other words there is NO gap or loose movement.

Therefore i am assuming there is play in the balljoint and it will need replacing. good idea to do the lower arm at the same time as it will come with new bushes and considering my car is over 9 years older would be nice to freshen it up.

Could anyone confirm if the above sounds rite?

Thanks

 

[SBV116]

Sounds about right, for the money just get a complete arm with new bushes for about £50 from renault!

You can just get a ball joint if you wish, cheaper, but hardly worth it imo!

 

[quik99]

i will book it in to be done at my local garage tomorrow seeing as the other lower arm was replaced in full i will do the same with this side.

i notice there is a rubber piece between the arm ball joint and hub. will the new arm come with this piece of rubber as the one on the car looks shot!

 

[Chesh]

if you have the time mate i would do it myself, nice easy thing to start off learning with if youre into that sort of thing

 

[quik99]

yeah i wouldnt say im too shabby with a set of tools... just would need a ball joint splitter

 

[b33fy172]

I've just done this, the whole lower are is around £70 very easy to change too.

 

[Day]

Same.

I can now hear other noises now so my work isn't quite finished yet!

 

[quik99]

thats good... may well give it a bash myself... just need to get my hands on a ball joint splitter.

I take it when buying ANY lower arm regardless of whether its a genuine or pattented part come with NEW bushes and the ball joint already inserted? I will buy genuine for sure but just want to check

 

[Gib#244]

Birchdown just replaced both my lower arms feels like a new car!

Still getting a creaking noise when reversing steve?? I put it down to being new though?!

 

[sussex_gti]

Shouldnt need a balljoint splitter. Good lube, take the bolt out, then clout the hub with a hammer. May need a lever for a bit of persuasion, but should come out.

 

[.Ben.]

I'm getting new arms and top mounts from Auto-Nation, when Pete gets back from his trade show.

From the looks of it, it *seems* straightforward?

Do you need to remove the ball joint assembly (3 bolts) from the wishbone prior to taking the wishbone off (2 bolts on the subframe) or do you just:
- Split the balljoint from the hub
- Remove the wishbone bolts
- Drop the whole assembly
- Refit?