Tools
Step 1: Remove the front wheel and use a floor jack to jack up the front at the cross member that is situated at the lower swing arms. When removing the axle nut, you will need the truck jack to lift and lower the lower control arm. Eliminate the front axle. For the nut to be removed, a 35mm socket is required. A 36mm socket that I rented from Auto Zone worked perfectly.
In order to get the spindle outside the wheel well and attach the ball joint tool, I discovered that I could push the axle shaft in by releasing the axle nut and let the control arms drop just enough.
I next took out the two brackets holding the brake lines, after which I took off the front brake calipers and hung them using a few zip ties.
Pushing the shaft in allows the spindle to rotate out after removing the front axle nut. A jack stand was used by me to keep the hub from shifting.
I took out the cotter pin from the upper ball joint and shifted the nut up toward the ball joint’s top threads. According to previous guides, the upper swing arm will rise, therefore they advise leaving the nut near the top of the threads, and I followed their advice. Since mine had over 200,000 miles on it, it stated no, so I applied a little pressure and smacked it, and it released the ball joint as several had demonstrated. Both sides eventually freed, however one was easier than the other. You can see the steel I used as a tool to provide a little pressure.
The top of the ball joint was then removed using a sawsall. I was told that was the easiest, and although it required a few metal blades, they were easily chopped off.
I could then attach the tool and press out the junction. I will admit that in order for me to hold the c-clamp, I used my 3/4″ torque wrench and my wife.
I fastened the c-clip and dust shield, and then I lifted the lower swing arm using the truck’s jack so I could fasten the higher nut. I then replaced the dust cover, cotter pin, and axle nut.
In This Article...
How can upper ball joints be taken out without applying pressure?
for the lower control arm’s ball joints. Put your jack exactly where the ball joint descends on your axle hub. You can place a piece of wood between the jack and your axle hub. Then gradually lift the hub. The lower portion of the joint should now be able to be separated from the top with a hammer.
Be conscious of where you are hitting at all times. Your ball joint won’t break loose right away, but when it does, you’ll be able to see it and hear it because it will need some time and a variety of angles to do so. Use caution when striking the housing with your hammer.
How do you recognize a damaged upper control arm?
Symptoms of a Bad Control Arm
- Popping Sound When you drive over imperfections in the road, you may hear a popping sound, which is one of the first symptoms of a failing control arm.
- The steering is erratic. Unstable steering is another sign that a control arm may be malfunctioning.
- Variable tire wear
What Do Ball Joints Do?
The automotive equivalent of the human shoulder is a ball joint. Consider a ball and socket arrangement where the stem fits into the tire/wheel assembly and the base attaches to a control arm.
The stem (socket) rotates to keep the wheel assembly on the ground when the control arm oscillates up and down in response to shifting road conditions. This stem has a separate rotational capability from the base.
When we spin the steering wheel, this pivot point enables the tire/wheel system to revolve smoothly.
At the Shop
A basic service check at the shop or a yearly state inspection will reveal the majority of damaged ball joints. The specialist “shakes the car’s front end while it’s being lifted (off the ground). Worn portions will move excessively when a tire is slowly rocked from side to side and up and down “play, demonstrating that they are worn.
Symptoms While Driving
A worn ball joint will sound like it is snapping while making a slow, abrupt rotation. Imagine removing the ball from the socket, then releasing it. The same goes for your tires, which may show worn ball joints or other front end parts. Any unequal wear should call for a visit to the shop for an inspection.
Replacement: Urgency, Repair Time & Costs
Repairs shouldn’t be put off because doing so could increase costs because worn-out ball joints will cause uneven tire wear and accelerate the deterioration of other front end components.
Typically, worn ball joints are identified early on, before they pose a danger to your safety, allowing you to plan the repair and weigh your options from nearby auto repair businesses. Ball joints can typically be worked on by most businesses, and turnaround is same day. Generally speaking, ball joints cost between $20 and $80 per unit. By model, labor will vary significantly. Some cars only cost between $60 and $80. Others, particularly trucks with four wheels, can cost between $160 and $200 per ball joint.
Prevention
We can’t really do anything to stop ball joints or any other front-end component from deteriorating.
Some ball joints have grease fittings that allow for the regular addition of fresher, cleaner grease to tighten up crevices and extend the life of the joint, although these fittings are usually found on older model cars. The best plan of action is to keep up with suspension maintenance in order to reduce overall wear.
Are you looking for a nearby technician to complete the inspection or are you confident you can handle the repair yourself? Start with Openbay to compare prices from reputable neighborhood stores, and then book your service with a single click.
Can you replace the control arm without replacing the ball joint?
Two upper and two lower ball joints are present. Since they support the bulk of the truck’s weight, the lower ball joints are typically the ones that need replacement the most. Despite being fixed to the lower control arm by ball joints, they can be changed.
When replacing ball joints, do you require a ball joint press?
A ball joint press and ball joint fork, both of which are available for free through AutoZone’s Loan-A-Tool program, are typically required to remove the ball joint and separate the control arm from the steering knuckle.
How long does it take to replace a ball joint?
Replace a damaged ball joint with a new one. Fortunately, the price of a single ball joint is not as high as that of other auto components.
Depending on the car in issue and whether the parts are OEM or aftermarket, a single ball joint can cost anywhere between $40 and $140.
The OEM item is typically the greatest option when it comes to quality, but they can be significantly more expensive. However, a cheap aftermarket ball joint might not be of high quality.
Therefore, while purchasing a ball joint, ensure that the supplier is reputable and/or that the product has a strong track record. A fantastic approach to do this is to check automotive forums and reviews.
It is also important to keep in mind that certain automobiles have ball joints that are more difficult to replace, and others have ball joints that are integrated, necessitating the replacement of the entire control arm.
If so, the overall cost will be more, but the task itself will be simpler because a press is required for the installation of the ball joint.
The price of labor should also be taken into account because it can vary depending on the shop and the area.
Ball joint replacement is a quick process that takes only an hour or so, though it may take longer depending on the car.
Should I swap out both the upper and lower ball joints at once?
Many mechanics advocate replacing both joints at once (both lowers, both uppers or all four). The stud hole in the steering knuckle should also be inspected when ball joints are replaced, particularly if the ball joint stud has cracked or is loose.
Can I drive if my upper control arm is damaged?
You can only drive your car for about a week if the control arm is worn out or damaged, so it must be fixed as quickly as possible using the procedures mentioned above to prevent the suspension from breaking.
Point to remember
Make sure to service your automobile at regular intervals so that it is maintained to the requirements to prevent any excessive damage if you want your control arm of the car to not break and get noticed quickly so that the appropriate steps can be made in time.
How loud does a broken control arm sound?
A “poor control arm” actually refers to a worn-out control arm bushing or a defective ball joint. Symptoms of these components failing can include clunking noises and steering drift. This article will emphasize the signs and symptoms of control arm failure, as well as the causes of it and possible solutions.
The lower control arm’s ball joints and bushings are particularly prone to wear since, in the majority of suspension configurations, the lower arm actually supports the weight of the vehicle. Recognizing the signs early will spare you from dealing with a failed part on the side of the road because these components can be compromised by hard driving, off-roading, environmental variables, or random damage.
Are ball joints simple to change?
Hello there In order to replace a ball joint, specific tools are typically needed to press the old ball joints out, the new ones in, and to compress and hold the vehicle spring while the ball joint is being replaced. Therefore, replacing ball joints is challenging since it requires more than just the fundamental equipment and expertise of a do-it-yourselfer. A compressed spring that has enough force to do major harm if it comes loose and the safety aspect of being in close proximity to a suspended car are additional concerns. I advise getting your ball joints changed by a competent mobile technician, like one from YourMechanic, who will visit your site, analyze this issue, and provide you with an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
What occurs if a ball joint malfunctions while driving?
Driving while having a damaged ball joint is not advised. Driving on could harm other car parts, and if the joint entirely breaks you could lose control of the car, causing an accident and injuries.
How can I tell if my ball joints need to be replaced?
Four indicators that your car needs new ball joints
- Rattling and clunking sounds.
- Uncertain, erratic steering feeling
- Strong cabin tremors.
- uneven tire wear on the front. One of the front wheels might become misaligned with the other due to “play” caused by a loose ball joint in the front suspension.