How to Lower a Flip Ball Joint

Many models of cars and trucks have a suspension design that allows the upper ball joint to be re-positioned, or "flipped" on the other side of the control arm. This causes no real damage or alignment problems, and is used primarily to lower the vehicle without having to shorten or purchase new springs or modify the struts. You can flip your ball joint, provided you do so with assistance and in a safe manner. As a precaution, it is advised that the vehicle be taken to an alignment shop and checked or adjusted after the flip procedure for any slight variance in suspension dynamics.

Instructions

1

Set the vehicle transmission in "Park" for an automatic or "Neutral' for a standard. Apply the emergency brake. Use a tire iron to break loose the wheel lug nuts, but do not remove them. Raise the front of the vehicle with a floor jack high enough to place two jack stands under the front frame near each wheel. Adjust the jack stands for maximum height. Finish removing the wheels with the tire iron.

2

Locate the upper ball joint, which is connected to the end of the upper control arm. The upper ball joint has a tapered shaft that travels down through the upper control arm and connects to the large L-shaped spindle. Use a pair of wire cutters to remove the cotter pin on the ball joint shaft just under the spindle frame. Use an end wrench to turn the castle nut on the ball joint shaft counterclockwise, then remove the nut.

3

Place a pickle fork between the ball joint and the upper control arm frame and strike it firmly with a sledgehammer until the spindle drops. Use caution and do not put your hands under the spindle when delivering blows with the hammer. Use a pry bar to wedge the spindle away from the upper control arm; have an assistant hold the pry bar, keeping pressure on it so it remains clear.

4

Loosen the the 3 or 4 bolts that hold the ball joint to the upper control arm with a socket and ratchet wrench, then remove them. Tap on the ball joint with the sledgehammer and remove it. Clean the ball joint and underside and topside of the upper control arm with a rag and engine solvent.

5

Lift up on the upper control arm and place the ball joint under it, pushing the ball joint shaft into the spindle hole. Place the castle nut on the ball joint (underneath) and tighten it -- only by hand -- 2 or 3 thread turns.

6

Place the floor jack underneath the lower control arm and slowly pump the jack until the ball joint rises up and meets the underside of the upper control arm. Use a Phillips screwdriver to poke down through the ball joint mount holes to line up the holes. Replace the 3 or 4 ball joint mount bolts by hand down into the top of the control arm, then twist them 3 or 4 turns.

7

Refer to your vehicle owner's service manual for the correct torque for the ball joint bolts in foot-pounds. Use a torque wrench to tighten all of the bolts to the correct foot-pound specification. Use an end wrench to tighten the spindle castle nut and align the cotter pin hole. Place a new cotter pin through the castle nut and bend it with wire cutters.

8

Lower the floor jack and transport it to the opposite front wheel. Perform the same procedure to flip the ball joint on the wheel. When finished, raise the vehicle front end with the floor jack and remove the jack stands. Take the vehicle for a ride and note the difference in curb height and suspension response.