The ball joint is the most critical part inside the steering system of the car and the suspension system of the car. The lower ball joint is a joint that connects the front of the wheels in the vehicle and the main axle, and allows the wheels to move freely. Due to the movement of the steering linkage, the ball joints are flexible joints, which have the design of a ball and socket. These lower ball joints are always made of hard steel, and the bearing stud and the socket is received inside the steel housing. There are pivot points between the suspensions of the tires that help in supporting the weight of the vehicle. If you know how to replace the lower ball joints, then you can won’t face any troubles in case of emergency.
Lower ball joints are lubed permanently in place and sealed. However, when these joints start wearing out or are damaged, then they need to be replaced. There are replacement joints but they cannot work like the original joints. One will have to regularly lubricate the replacement joints, which should be done with every oil change of the vehicle. Lower ball joints need a lot of care and attention, since it is the most important part of the car and is responsible for the safety of the car. If the lower ball joint of your car is damaged then make sure that you get it replaced in right time. Replacing lower ball joints is very simple. Here are some easy steps on how to replace lower ball joints.
Things Required:
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- Ball joint separator
- Ball joint removal or installation set
- Socket set
- Wrench set
- 2-4 block of wood
- Cotter pins
- Replacement ball joints
Steps:
Removing lower ball joint
- The first step for removing the lower ball joint will be disconnecting the ground cable from the negative terminal of the battery. Start raising the vehicle on jack stands as per the owner’s manual instructions.
- Now, place a floor jack below the spring seat at the lower control arm. Raise the jack just a little and start compressing the front suspension and support of the spring. Take out the brake caliper by taking out the two bolts, which are connected to the steering knuckle. Always remember that you must not disconnect the hydraulic brake line. Now, carefully slide the caliper out of the brake disc. You will have to support the caliper with a plastic tie or caliper for framing, so that it does not hang from the brake line.
- Now, you can take out the lower ball joint along with the cotter pin and the retaining nut. After this, you must slide the ball joint separator in middle of the lower control arm and the steering knuckle. You will have to start prying the knuckle up and far away from the lower ball joint.
- Remember to support the upper control arm by keeping a block of wood between the frames. Start unscrewing the fittings from the bottom at the lower control arm. Carefully press the lower ball joint outside from the control arm bushing by using a ball joint removal set.
- Check the hole of the steering knuckle. If it has come out round, damaged or deformed then you will have to replace the steering knuckle.
Replace lower ball joint
- The first step will be pressing the lower ball joint in the control arm-bushing ball with the help of a ball joint installation tool. While doing this, remember that the grease tool must be pointing towards the engine.
- Take out the block of wood, which is supporting the upper control arm. After this, for replacing the lower ball joint, you will have to slide the ball joint stud through a hole inside the steering knuckle. Fix a torque and castle nut on the listed specifications in the service manual of your vehicle.
- Now, the next step will be installing a new cotter pin via the ball joint stud. Once you are done with this then you can start installing the grease fitting at the base of the ball joint. For replacing the lower ball joint you will have to fix a grease gun on the grease fitting and pump until the grease starts to seep from the beneath the rubber cap at top of the ball joint.
- While replacing the lower ball joint you will have to use a c-clamp for pushing the piston back inside the brake caliper. After that, slide the brake caliper inside the rotor again. Now you can install the two bolts, which are retaining the caliper.
- Now you are done with replacing the lower ball joints, so you can assemble the wheels. After assembling the wheel, start reconnecting the ground cable on the negative battery terminal.
- Once you are completely done with replacing the lower ball joints, check the wheel alignment.
Tips and Warnings:
- If you unable to afford buying lower ball joints, then there are many auto parts store that loan these suspensions at low or no cost.
- When you are replacing the lower ball joints, you must always follow the instructions, which are listed in the owner’s manual. Always remember that you must not remove the floor jack from the beneath the spring seat when the ball joint nut has been removed or the spring will eject violently, and it can lead to serious injuries or death.
- Another important thing that you must remember while replacing the lower ball joints is, never remove the hydraulic brake line from the brake caliper. If you do this, then it may cause air to enter inside the hydraulic circuit, which will cause the brake system to breakdown.
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