Can you replace lower ball joints yourself?
This article was co-authored by Mike Parra. Recognizable for a knocking sound in the wheel well as you execute a turn, fixing old ball joints is an important part of keeping your vehicle road-safe. You can do it yourself for the price of the parts and the right approach.
Is it hard to change a lower ball joint?
Ball joint replacement is not straightforward, as they can be very tricky to access and install – especially with age and rust. On some cars, the ball joint is integrated into the control arm. If you’re not familiar with the suspension and wheel assembly, it’s best to visit a garage for a professional check.
How do you change a lower ball joint?
Steps to replace a press-in ball joint
- Use side cutters to remove the cotter pin that’s securing the fastening nut.
- Use a socket wrench to remove the fastening nut.
- Use a socket wrench to remove the axle nut.
- Push the axle back through and loosen the knuckle assembly, moving it to gain access to the ball joint.
How do I know if I have bad ball joints?
Feeling a vibration in the steering wheel while driving down a level, straight road, or your vehicle drifting to the right or left when going over bumps may also be signs of ball joint wear. Tires – Uneven tire wear may be a sign that your ball joints are wearing out.
Are left and right ball joints different?
When opening the package, the ball joints are different. They look to be the same overall size, however one has a large washer/lip at the mid point, while the other is the same width from top to bottom till it tapers down near the dust boot. They both have the same part number on the package.
Can I replace just one ball joint?
If a customer needs a new ball joint, recommend replacing all of the joints at the same time. If one joint has failed, chances are the other joints may be nearing the end of their service life, too.
What sound does a bad ball joint make?
Noise – this can be a clunking or squeaking noise. Clunking noises are caused by the worn ball joints rattling as the suspension travels up and down over the road. The squeaking noise is caused by the rubber boot that protects the grease inside the ball joint is damaged, the ball joint will start to squeak.
What are the two types of ball joints?
Ball joints are classified as either “load-carrying” or “follower” types, and their position in the suspension varies depending on the suspension design. These two types of joints often have different wear and failure rates, with the load-carrying joints usually failing first.
Are ball joints side specific?
Some ball joints must be installed in a specific orientation to function correctly. These ball joints are designed to allow for a large amount of ball stud swing in the cross-car or side-to-side direction as the suspension travels up and down.