Installing front adjustable ball joint
03-03-2009, 06:40 PM
#1
Installing front adjustable ball joint
I read the DIY on installing the front camber kit (http://www.cardomain.com/ride/184466/15)
Is this little claw looking thing what I need to pull the ball joint out of the control arm? I tried to just bang it out of there today, but didn't want to bend the control arm so I stopped. I didn't have my computer around either so I couldn't refer to this picture.
Has anyone else had luck with this claw looking thing? dont know the actual name, lol
Is this little claw looking thing what I need to pull the ball joint out of the control arm? I tried to just bang it out of there today, but didn't want to bend the control arm so I stopped. I didn't have my computer around either so I couldn't refer to this picture.
Has anyone else had luck with this claw looking thing? dont know the actual name, lol
03-04-2009, 04:53 PM
#4
Senior Moderator
Take the control arm OUT of the vehicle. It will be far easier. You will also have to press the new one in. I havent attempted to use one of those to do this job. They make a unit that looks like a giant C clamp designed for pressing this type of thing out and pressing in. Many auto parts stores rent it.
03-04-2009, 08:16 PM
#5
Take the control arm OUT of the vehicle. It will be far easier. You will also have to press the new one in. I havent attempted to use one of those to do this job. They make a unit that looks like a giant C clamp designed for pressing this type of thing out and pressing in. Many auto parts stores rent it.
03-04-2009, 09:36 PM
#6
Senior Moderator
03-05-2009, 07:24 AM
#8
Senior Moderator
Either way remove the control arm from the car to make life easier.
03-05-2009, 10:48 AM
#9
I am in agreement with Kris. It's just two bolts to take out the upper control arm and doing this will make it so much easier to remove the ball joint.
Then use the proper tool to get it out. If there is an AutoZone nearby, go and rent the tool set. They have a free loaner program that covers various types of tools, including ball joint removers. You just need to put down a deposit. That's what I did.
Good luck.
Then use the proper tool to get it out. If there is an AutoZone nearby, go and rent the tool set. They have a free loaner program that covers various types of tools, including ball joint removers. You just need to put down a deposit. That's what I did.
Good luck.
03-05-2009, 11:12 AM
#10
I am in agreement with Kris. It's just two bolts to take out the upper control arm and doing this will make it so much easier to remove the ball joint.
Then use the proper tool to get it out. If there is an AutoZone nearby, go and rent the tool set. They have a free loaner program that covers various types of tools, including ball joint removers. You just need to put down a deposit. That's what I did.
Good luck.
Then use the proper tool to get it out. If there is an AutoZone nearby, go and rent the tool set. They have a free loaner program that covers various types of tools, including ball joint removers. You just need to put down a deposit. That's what I did.
Good luck.
03-05-2009, 01:17 PM
#12
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Go to Advanced Auto Parts or Auto Zone and borrow the whole kit from them. It's about $90 or so deposit and you have 30 days to bring it back. The kit has all different sizes so it'll fit your car.
03-05-2009, 03:01 PM
#14
Senior Moderator
Just get the C clamp style. It will press out and press back in.
03-06-2009, 07:05 AM
#15
DONE. the c-clamp was a $160 deposit. What a beast thing though. It took us about 1 hour of banging at the SPC ball joint until we figured...lets read the instructions...
IT WAS SUPPOSED TO SCREW ON, NOT PRESS IN
We felt so dumb, but the job is done and I really need an alignment, lol.
IT WAS SUPPOSED TO SCREW ON, NOT PRESS INWe felt so dumb, but the job is done and I really need an alignment, lol.
03-06-2009, 08:02 AM
#16
Alright...here's the deal.
I just drove to school with the camber kit on without an alignment yet, because I'm waiting for new tires. Every time I make a right turn I can hear something smacking against something else. I think it is the front passenger tire, but not too positive. Do you think after I get an alignment it will fix the problem. By eyeballing it, I can tell that the tire has some negative camber on it. They are not "rubbing" but only banging against something when I turn.
What could it be? I'm very paranoid about everything being perfect before I get the new tires.
I just drove to school with the camber kit on without an alignment yet, because I'm waiting for new tires. Every time I make a right turn I can hear something smacking against something else. I think it is the front passenger tire, but not too positive. Do you think after I get an alignment it will fix the problem. By eyeballing it, I can tell that the tire has some negative camber on it. They are not "rubbing" but only banging against something when I turn.
What could it be? I'm very paranoid about everything being perfect before I get the new tires.
03-11-2009, 08:00 AM
#18
03-11-2009, 11:34 AM
#19
Senior Moderator
DONE. the c-clamp was a $160 deposit. What a beast thing though. It took us about 1 hour of banging at the SPC ball joint until we figured...lets read the instructions...
IT WAS SUPPOSED TO SCREW ON, NOT PRESS IN
We felt so dumb, but the job is done and I really need an alignment, lol.
IT WAS SUPPOSED TO SCREW ON, NOT PRESS INWe felt so dumb, but the job is done and I really need an alignment, lol.
03-17-2009, 05:34 PM
#20
Alright...here's the deal.
I just drove to school with the camber kit on without an alignment yet, because I'm waiting for new tires. Every time I make a right turn I can hear something smacking against something else. I think it is the front passenger tire, but not too positive. Do you think after I get an alignment it will fix the problem. By eyeballing it, I can tell that the tire has some negative camber on it. They are not "rubbing" but only banging against something when I turn.
What could it be? I'm very paranoid about everything being perfect before I get the new tires.
I just drove to school with the camber kit on without an alignment yet, because I'm waiting for new tires. Every time I make a right turn I can hear something smacking against something else. I think it is the front passenger tire, but not too positive. Do you think after I get an alignment it will fix the problem. By eyeballing it, I can tell that the tire has some negative camber on it. They are not "rubbing" but only banging against something when I turn.
What could it be? I'm very paranoid about everything being perfect before I get the new tires.
Go tighten it, and get an alignment asap.
I need to redo mine. I just discovered this past weekend while doing routine maintenance that the driver side ball joint is busted and is wiggling in place. That explains the vibrations I've been getting under braking.
Argh.
Was that the cheapest place you could find the SPC kit at?
03-17-2009, 06:43 PM
#21
I had the same problem right after installing mine. I didn't tighten the top nut tight enough, and every time I made a turn, the ball joint was sliding across the plate, then banging at the end.
Go tighten it, and get an alignment asap.
I need to redo mine. I just discovered this past weekend while doing routine maintenance that the driver side ball joint is busted and is wiggling in place. That explains the vibrations I've been getting under braking.
Argh.
Was that the cheapest place you could find the SPC kit at?
Go tighten it, and get an alignment asap.
I need to redo mine. I just discovered this past weekend while doing routine maintenance that the driver side ball joint is busted and is wiggling in place. That explains the vibrations I've been getting under braking.
Argh.
Was that the cheapest place you could find the SPC kit at?
04-07-2009, 11:10 AM
#22
What your problem is?
- Is everyone using SPC ball joints? What other ball joints can we use or are available?
- Since the ball joints are part of the camber kit, how does one replace the lower ball joint (fronts)? Is it the same process? Does anyone have a brand/part number they can share?
04-07-2009, 11:40 AM
#23
Senior Moderator
If you look at the link in the OP, it appears the guy screws the front ball joint in... Look at images 22 & 23, they do not appear to be pushed in, but screwed in....
Man, his website is hard to use... you got to click on all the links (that apply to your year) and find the specific parts by description... LINK
- Is everyone using SPC ball joints? What other ball joints can we use or are available?
- Since the ball joints are part of the camber kit, how does one replace the lower ball joint (fronts)? Is it the same process? Does anyone have a brand/part number they can share?
Man, his website is hard to use... you got to click on all the links (that apply to your year) and find the specific parts by description... LINK
- Is everyone using SPC ball joints? What other ball joints can we use or are available?
- Since the ball joints are part of the camber kit, how does one replace the lower ball joint (fronts)? Is it the same process? Does anyone have a brand/part number they can share?
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doctor_whooves (10-16-2023)
04-07-2009, 12:05 PM
#25
Senior Moderator
04-07-2009, 01:47 PM
#27
What your problem is?
What about answers to the other questions?
- Is SPC the only camber kit we got?
- Ball joint replacements for the lowers (fronts)?
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Jon M (05-21-2022)
04-21-2022, 12:21 AM
#28
Intermediate
that tool definitely doesn't work on the lower control arm ball joint..it's too big and doesn't fit the angle correctly.boy what a time i had trying to press out almost got stuck for the night in my buddies garage.then pressing it back in was just as bad plus the joint stud was too long.i bought a tough terrain mevotech or something it had a green boot.i had to cut down the stud some to get it back onto the car.
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