Ball joint problem
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Ball joint problem
I have a 1987 and the ball joints are lose. The mechanic want to heat the alum lower control arm to get the ball joint to fit. Does this sound correct?
Last edited by Hotwheels87mi; Jun 21, 2013 at 07:16 PM. Reason: Spelling
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Main point
[QUOTE=ex-x-fire;1584215741]I'm missing something here, what doesn't fit? The BJ press is like a c clamp that has adaptors for removing & installing the BJ. Google "ball joint press" to see what they look like.[/QUOTE the
The mechanic stated that he was having trouble with the ball joint fitting in the control arm. He ordered ball joint from two different manufacture. They would not install as normal press. He want to heat the aluminum arm up and cool the ball Joint in when he gets it in. I don't think this correct.
But I have not done this type of work. What would you recommend?
The mechanic stated that he was having trouble with the ball joint fitting in the control arm. He ordered ball joint from two different manufacture. They would not install as normal press. He want to heat the aluminum arm up and cool the ball Joint in when he gets it in. I don't think this correct.
But I have not done this type of work. What would you recommend?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,649
Likes: 863
I would NOT recommend heating the aluminum control arms !!!
I've done the ball joints on my 92, and while I don't think the control arms are the same, I do believe they are quite similar. I had a problem pressing mine out of the lower arms - so I took the lower control arms to a local automotive machine shop - where they used a large hyraulic press to push the old ball joints out and the new ones in. The key is to have the right adapters to use with the press.
I've done the ball joints on my 92, and while I don't think the control arms are the same, I do believe they are quite similar. I had a problem pressing mine out of the lower arms - so I took the lower control arms to a local automotive machine shop - where they used a large hyraulic press to push the old ball joints out and the new ones in. The key is to have the right adapters to use with the press.
Advanced
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
From: Pittsburgh PA
Do not heat the control arm. It sounds like he may have purchased a
problem solver type ball joint. They are slightly oversized for control arms that are slightly damaged and will no longer hold a normal ball joint tight.
If your control arms are not damaged they will be if you force these in.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...%26+components
problem solver type ball joint. They are slightly oversized for control arms that are slightly damaged and will no longer hold a normal ball joint tight.
If your control arms are not damaged they will be if you force these in.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...%26+components
Last edited by Cheechsmith; Jun 21, 2013 at 09:40 PM.
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Ive seen lots of threads saying aftermarket joints are too big. Especially cheap ones.
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 411
Likes: 1
From: New Hampshire
Yes, been there done that....Even the Moog that I tried were oversized. The best fitting ones I found were Raybestos. I put the ball joints in the freezer which helped but still was a battle getting them in.
