'78 Ball Joints
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Big Bear Lake CA
'78 Ball Joints
Is there an easy way to tell if your ball joints need replacing prior to having wheels aligned?
It seems like every alignment shop wants to replace at least one ball joint before doing an alignment.
Thanks,
pivan
It seems like every alignment shop wants to replace at least one ball joint before doing an alignment.
Thanks,
pivan
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, SC, USA
Re: '78 Ball Joints (pivan)
Hi,
A good way to tell is if the car "wanders" while driving, particularly at high speeds. Mine will jump to the left and right while driving. I just have to be careful when driving. I bought the entire front end kit for $200, but don't have money for labor. :rolleyes:
A good way to tell is if the car "wanders" while driving, particularly at high speeds. Mine will jump to the left and right while driving. I just have to be careful when driving. I bought the entire front end kit for $200, but don't have money for labor. :rolleyes:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan Canada
Re: '78 Ball Joints (Vader953)
Place a floor Jack under the lower control arm raise the jack until you can get a bar under the tire Pry upward while looking at the lower ball joint if there is any great movement the ball joint needs to be replaced. The best is to have someone else do the prying while you look to see if the movement is the upper or the lower ball joint . Most movement is in the lower upper seldom wear completly out. The main thing to do is make sure your under the lower contol arm so your taking the pressure off the joint.
[Modified by paso, 6:42 PM 10/1/2001]
[Modified by paso, 6:42 PM 10/1/2001]
