Front Lower Ball Joint replacement

[Steven Smith]

okay- will see if the springs feel loose. yes my MOT faliure sheet said to replace the lower wish bone lower ball joint.

That lower ball joint is a press fit into the wishbone, really need a press to get it out and fit new one.

 

[Andrew]

That lower ball joint is a press fit into the wishbone, really need a press to get it out and fit new one.

Thanks Steven-I have a press kit from Vevor-

 

[Andrew]

I cant get the new ball joint to go in straight! ive had it in and out about 5 times! Any advice much welcomed? its about 4mm in on one side and 9mm on the other. Rather than keep on winding, i always pop it out and try again. However, now i am in an ever lasting time loop like groundhog day but without the music.

 

[Steven Smith]

I cant get the new ball joint to go in straight! ive had it in and out about 5 times! Any advice much welcomed? its about 4mm in on one side and 9mm on the other. Rather than keep on winding, i always pop it out and try again. However, now i am in an ever lasting time loop like groundhog day but without the music.

Sorry only just seen your post for help.
There is no easy answer I am afraid, a bearing press would be your best bet, the hand held units are difficult to keep straight. A local garage might press it in for you for a fee.
I have seen bearing presses recently for around £75 delivered recently on eBay.

 

[Andrew]

Thanks Steven - you is always there to help me!!!!!!! Good idea- further to your advice, Ive agreed with a local garage i will remove the lower wish bone and take it to them for the bearing fit. HMMM-The £75 bearing press sounds attractive too....

 

[Steven Smith]

Thanks Steven - you is always there to help me!!!!!!! Good idea- further to your advice, Ive agreed with a local garage i will remove the lower wish bone and take it to them for the bearing fit. HMMM-The £75 bearing press sounds attractive too....

Will be worth looking at the condition of the rubber bushes in the wishbones while you have them off and replace if required.

 

[Andrew]

Good idea- thank you- ive asked about the 4 bushes and how quickly i can get them

 

[Steven Smith]

Good idea- thank you- ive asked about the 4 bushes and how quickly i can get them

I did a lot of research before I did mine, and the brands with the best consistent reviews were Energy Suspension or Superpro.
I went with Energy Suspension from Rock Auto. Get extra grease if you go with them from eBay as they don't have much with them and I used plenty as didn't want any squeaks.
Been in my 86 since early this year and so far so good.

 

[Andrew]

The bushes were okay.

 

[Andrew]

the garage put the ball joint in with a 50 tonne press. I built up the passenger side.

 

[Andrew]

i overtightened and broke the 2 vertical bolts which hold the bottom of the front coilover to the lower suspension arm. new ones on their way from the and of the free! Does any one know what torque i should have used!

 

[Andrew]

The Thing ive learned from doing this lower ball joint operation- is that it was so much easier just to remove the lower control arm from the car completely (undo coilover, ARB control arm, lower ball joint nut and the 2 bolts holding the lower control arm form the car.) then when the arm is off you can easily remove the ball joint. this saves a lot of time. Then get the garage to do the swap over!

 

[Steven Smith]

i overtightened and broke the 2 vertical bolts which hold the bottom of the front coilover to the lower suspension arm. new ones on their way from the and of the free! Does any one know what torque i should have used!

I will dig out the torque settings for the suspension when I get home tonight and send across.

 

[Andrew]

Thanks Steven , Do you also happen to know the spec of those bolts so i can get replacements? (i think i explained what i needed to the parts guy but there is confusion) They are 13mm socket at the top, 50mm shaft length and about 7/8? mm width. This is me pointing at the bottom of the lower control arm where the nuts are.

 

[Andrew]

I will dig out the torque settings for the suspension when I get home tonight and send across.

Thank you- i think i have trouble linking the description with the actual parts i see.

 

[Steven Smith]

 

[Steven Smith]

Thanks Steven , Do you also happen to know the spec of those bolts so i can get replacements? (i think i explained what i needed to the parts guy but there is confusion) They are 13mm socket at the top, 50mm shaft length and about 7/8? mm width. This is me pointing at the bottom of the lower control arm where the nuts are.

I think that is part number 33 for the bolt and 20 for the nut in the exploded diagram. If that's correct then it's M8 x 1.25.

 

[Andrew]

Thank You steven- this is awesome- really kind of you to scan all this!