How do you replace ball joints?

[bluegunz]

I got a pretty bad shake in my front end, at first i thought it was the stabilizing arms(one of the bolts has been broken for awhile the other i snapped when i changed my trans) anyways i jacked it up and shook the tire and i can see the lower ball joint moving.I haven't done those yet,any tips will help.(if thats even the problem)

[J Wikoff]

I'll move this to the proper section for you.

[bluegunz]

ty. sorry

[damemorder]

It's really quite simple.

Jack up car, remove tire.
Optionally remove brakes.
Compress spring.
Beat joint apart.
Get knuckle out of the way and torch the rivets off the old joint.
Clean everything up.
The new joint will bolt into the holes left by the rivets of the old.
Put the rest of the bolts back.
4) Profit!!!

There are many dangers to this and if it's your first repair I recommend you pay someone to do it.

[bluegunz]

Ty for the help.
But what rivets are u talking about???(the only why to learn is to do it yourself)

[bluegunz]

I also want to add that both tires shake.
(But the driver side is worse)

[bluegunz]

My friend (Blazz) thinks i offended you when i said ''The only why to learn is to do it yourself.''
If there was any misunderstanding i was replying to...

''There are many dangers to this and if it's your first repair I recommend you pay someone to do it. ''

P.S.
sorry if i offended anyone

[its840]

ok when you set the front end on jack stands place hands at 12 ans 6 oclock and push in with one while pulling out with other... if it moves you need ball joints...

place hands at 3 and 9 o clock and repeat.. if moves you need tie rod ends. (could be inner, could be outer)

[95naSTA]

Aside from pulling everything apart, this is what I did:

Special Tools Needed:
A drill with decent power
A GOOD metal drill bit set, Craftsman or better. (I broke almost an entire Harbor Freight set)
A stepped drill bit made for drilling metal
A air hammer with punch bit or a punch and a hammer
A grease gun

-Drill a small hole as close to the center of the rivet as possible. Drill almost all the way through.
-Follow up with a larger bit that is larger than the tip of the stepped bit.
-Drill into the rivet with the stepped bit until the head of the rivet comes loose.
-Air hammer the rivet out or hammer it out with a punch
-Repeat for the other 2 rivets
-Bolt new ball joint in to manufacturer's torque
-Install knuckle, and strut
-Grease the joint through the zerk fitting until the boot starts to bulge.

Pics to illustrate:
Stepped drill bit:


Conter-clockwise from the bottom right, small hole, larger hole, start of drilling with stepped bit:


Opening up the hole more with the stepped bit:


The head of the rivet loose:


Air hammer in place:


Punched out rivet:


New ball-joint bolted in:

[bluegunz]

Ty, that will help,its just what i need.

Any suggestions on a good brand???

[White93Z34]

Moog, TRW, Spicer.

stay away from the autozone brand crap.

[Bugsi]

TRW. Ditto on stay away from Autozone's brand. (I like Autozone for some stuff, but not for these, unless they can get you TRW.)

And may i just comment "awesome how-to photos." I'll never forget my first rivet drill-out.
-Mark

[bluegunz]

What about OE? (I was gonna get TRW but advance doesn't sell them anymore and, they were all out of moog)

[rockit-man]

I found it easier to get at with the sway bar end links out of the way. I tried to be gentle, and still snapped them off. Bought a new set for $10, made the job much easier, and the new end links tightened every thing up just as much as the ball joint did.