lower ball joint question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,037
Likes: 5
From: Raleigh NC
lower ball joint question
front passenger side developed a heavy squeaking out of nowhere. upon further investigation i noticed my lower ball joint boot is torn and grease is all over the joint and surrounding area. is it safe to assume it is the ball joint making that noise and that it is shot? I cant get a read on the squeak as far as exact location but with even minimal up/down motion it makes a racket. suspension was rebuilt during frame off 4,000 miles ago including new lower ball joints. is it standard practice to replace both sides(wheels) or does it matter? also, assuming it is ball joint, is there an upgraded version over stock? thanks, Dave
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
With only 4,000 miles on the ball joints I would think it could be something else, but with the torn boot maybe the joint has been damaged and with no grease for some time.. I'd replace the ball joint, it's a pretty easy job since you rebuilt them not too long ago....JMO
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: College Station Texas
Check the control arm bushings. If they look dry or caked with grime that could be the source of the squeak. Mine was squeaking even when getting in the car, and I am not real heavy. The guy I bought the car from put poly bushings on and he might not have used any grease, there was thin layer of rust between the bushing and the casing when i got them out. I replaced the old poly bushings with new poly and used the supplied grease and they don't make a sound. Just an alternative to the ball joint theory. You could break the ball joint loose(watch out for the spring) and raise up on the control arms by hand and see if they are squeaking. If not, the ball joint or at least the boot can be replaced.
good luck,
Mike
good luck,
Mike
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: College Station Texas
spring compression tool to hold it?
Originally Posted by Sacredgrooves
...on the spring,should I use a spring compression tool to hold it?
Hope this helps. I am not an authority on the subject by any means, just what I did and it worked good for me.
Mike
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
Originally Posted by Sacredgrooves
thanks for the help everyone. it gives me some clues to the puzzle. on the spring,should I use a spring compression tool to hold it?
There is NO WAY the spring can get away and both the compression and relaxation of the spring is totally controlled.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 503
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
Originally Posted by Sacredgrooves
thanks for the help everyone. it gives me some clues to the puzzle. on the spring,should I use a spring compression tool to hold it?
Let me know.
