Where can I get a replacement ball joint?
Purchase the correct replacement ball joint assembly for your vehicle. Go to the auto parts store and get a replacement part appropriate for your make and model. All you’ve got to know is the type of vehicle and you should be able to use the guidebook in the aisle, or ask for help and they’ll be able to direct you.
What’s the best way to check a ball joint?
Use your hand to check the up-down play on the ball joint. Rock the lower part of the wheel around to see if there is any play in the joint. If there is any play in the joint, it must be replaced. 4
What happens when a ball joint is worn out?
There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. A worn-out ball joint will pivot horizontally and vertically, negatively affecting your handling at low speed, and becoming especially dangerous at high speeds.
Do you need wheel alignment after replacing ball joints?
Always have a wheel alignment performed after replacing ball joints. Getting an alignment will ensure that all suspension and steering components are at the correct manufacturer’s specified angles for proper performance and prevent your tires from wearing prematurely. Thanks! This article was co-authored by Mike Parra.
How do you know if ball joints need to be replaced?
Inspect the ball joints to make sure they need to be replaced. Figure out if your vehicle’s got a strut-style suspension or a control arm, then check the ball joint by either jacking up the control arm near the ball joint to check for wheel play, or by jacking up the car and using a pry-bar to check for wheel play in a strut-style suspension.
How to replace the control arms, bushing, ball joints?
Use a 16mm socket to remove the nuts holding the link to the strut and the sway bar and counter hold it using a 16mm wrench. Start by identifying the control arm and its corresponding bushing. Both the control arm and the bushing are specific to their respective side of the car.
How do you replace a ball joint on a front wheel drive car?
Generally a job to replace ball joints will involve the following, but not exclusive to these steps: Taking off your vehicle’s wheels. Moving the brake calipers, and rotor. Some vehicles will need the sway bar links removed. Front wheel drive cars – in most cases, separate the lower control arm from the steering knuckle via a ball joint fork.
Can a ball joint be removed from a steering knuckle?
In most cases, a ball joint press and ball joint fork will be needed to remove the ball joint and separate the control arm from the steering knuckle, which both of these are available for free through AutoZone’s Loan-A-Tool program. For ball joints that are bolted on, simply unbolting the bolts will separate the joint from the control arm.
Purchase the correct replacement ball joint assembly for your vehicle. Go to the auto parts store and get a replacement part appropriate for your make and model. All you’ve got to know is the type of vehicle and you should be able to use the guidebook in the aisle, or ask for help and they’ll be able to direct you.
How can I check the ball joint on my car?
Figure out if your vehicle’s got a strut-style suspension or a control arm, then check the ball joint by either jacking up the control arm near the ball joint to check for wheel play, or by jacking up the car and using a pry-bar to check for wheel play in a strut-style suspension.
How to replace a steering knuckle hole in a soccer ball?
Guide the new joint through the knuckle hole. Slide the new rubber boot over the ball joint’s stud and guide the new ball joint back up through the steering knuckle hole, where it came from. 2 Bolt the joint into place using the hardware included.
Always have a wheel alignment performed after replacing ball joints. Getting an alignment will ensure that all suspension and steering components are at the correct manufacturer’s specified angles for proper performance and prevent your tires from wearing prematurely. Thanks! This article was co-authored by Mike Parra.