Ball Joints
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
On the uppers, they are riveted to the control arm. You'll need to drill the rivets out. The new ball joints bolt together, hardware will be included.
The lowers need to be pressed out and back in. You can rent a ball joint press from Autozone, or you can just remove the control arm and take it to a brake shop. They charged me $25 to R&R both ball joints with me carrying in the control arms.
You can buy them from any reputable parts house, nothing mysterious about C4 ball joints. Napa carries Moog I believe.
The lowers need to be pressed out and back in. You can rent a ball joint press from Autozone, or you can just remove the control arm and take it to a brake shop. They charged me $25 to R&R both ball joints with me carrying in the control arms.
You can buy them from any reputable parts house, nothing mysterious about C4 ball joints. Napa carries Moog I believe.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,867
Likes: 3
From: Pasadena Maryland
I have mine apart, waiting for the lowers to come in the mail. Do you need the FSM recommended spring compressor to remove the lower control arm? After I removed the shock, anti-roll/sway bar,the lower ball joint mounting nut and pulled it out of the steering knuckle, the lower control arm is still under tension from the spring. I can use a ball joint press to remove and replace the lower ball joint, just wondering how to get the lower control arm off the car? I am afraid to let the spring rest on a jack stand.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 59,243
Likes: 0
From: Driving a hybrid in Hipsterville
I have mine apart, waiting for the lowers to come in the mail. Do you need the FSM recommended spring compressor to remove the lower control arm? After I removed the shock, anti-roll/sway bar,the lower ball joint mounting nut and pulled it out of the steering knuckle, the lower control arm is still under tension from the spring. I can use a ball joint press to remove and replace the lower ball joint, just wondering how to get the lower control arm off the car? I am afraid to let the spring rest on a jack stand.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,867
Likes: 3
From: Pasadena Maryland
Thanks for your response, but I have already done all those steps and have the ball joint press in hand(C-Clamp looking thing) with the lower control arm hanging by the spring. The lower control arm is under tension, how do you get the tension off the spring to REMOVE the lower control arm? I don't need to, just want to know.
I was just wondering what it takes to get the lower control arm off the car?
I was just wondering what it takes to get the lower control arm off the car?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 59,243
Likes: 0
From: Driving a hybrid in Hipsterville
Thanks for your response, but I have already done all those steps and have the ball joint press in hand(C-Clamp looking thing) with the lower control arm hanging by the spring. The lower control arm is under tension, how do you get the tension off the spring to REMOVE the lower control arm? I don't need to, just want to know.
I was just wondering what it takes to get the lower control arm off the car?
I was just wondering what it takes to get the lower control arm off the car?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,867
Likes: 3
From: Pasadena Maryland
No I did not remove the spring protector, or whatever it's called. So it's just stuck there, I can pry the lower control arm down if I have to?
Last edited by kalister1; Feb 14, 2007 at 12:44 PM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 59,243
Likes: 0
From: Driving a hybrid in Hipsterville
I think you have to remove that plate to get the control arm off the spring. I didn't try leaving it on because I was taking the entire suspension apart anyway.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 59,243
Likes: 0
From: Driving a hybrid in Hipsterville
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38335
It's on sale for $29 in stores right now.
