How to Repair an Auto Ball Joint

We have all seen that car over to the side of the road that looks like it has a broken wheel. More likely it's a broken ball joint that resulted in the steering knuckle coming loose from the car. Problems with the ball joints may start out with a small ticking noise, graduate to a tap and finally wind up as a shimmy in the steering wheel. Since ball joints are sealed and not serviceable, the only way to repair an auto's ball joint is to replace it.

Instructions

1

Block the back wheels of the car using wheel blocks. Place a floor jack under the lower control arm and raise the car up high enough so the tire can be removed and you can work on the vehicle comfortably. Place a jack stand beneath the jacking point of the vehicle and extend the center arm of the jack stand so it is aligned with the jacking point of the car. Release the pressure on the floor jack slowly, ensuring that the car rests firmly on the jack stand.

2

Remove the tire following instructions found in the owner's manual.

3

Remove the brake caliper referring to the manufacturer's repair manual for removal instructions. Suspend the caliper from the spring with a piece of thick wire. Ensure that the caliper does not interfere with the removal of the ball joint.

4

Disconnect any sway bars or other components that may interfere with the removal of the ball joint. Refer to the repair manual for specifics.

5

Remove the pinch bolt from the steering knuckle by holding the bolt head with a wrench while unscrewing the nut using a ratchet wrench and the appropriate size socket.

6

Insert a ball joint separating tool known as a pickle fork between the ball joint and the steering knuckle. Hammer the shaft of the pickle fork until the control arm separates from the ball joint.

7

Remove the ball joint by drilling out the rivets holding the ball joint in place with a cordless drill and a drill bit. The rivet head can also be sheared off with a hammer and chisel.

8

Install the replacement ball joint in the control arm by bolting it to the control arm following the ball joint manufacturer's instructions.

9

Align the groove on the ball joint shaft so it will be properly aligned when the pinch bolt is installed. Slide the pinch bolt through the hole in the steering knuckle, screw the nut back onto the bolt as far as possible by hand. Tighten it the rest of the way using a box end wrench to hold the bolt while turning the nut with a ratchet wrench. Torque the nut on the pinch bolt to factory specifications using a torque wrench.

10

Reinstall the brake caliper and any other parts that were disconnected or removed in order to replace the ball joint in the reverse order that they were disconnected while following manual instructions.

11

Position the floor jack underneath the control arm and lift the car far enough to enable the jack stands to be removed. Remove the jack stands, lower the car and remove the blocks from the rear wheels.