I re-read all of the old threads and couldn't find the real answer to this question: when do you need to replace the ball joints? should you do it on GPs when you change the front shocks? is there a visual inspection to look for to tell you when they NEED replacing?
I'm going to be doing the front shocks soon, but don't *really* want to do the ball joints until they need it... it's a pain on every vehicle, and it looks to be a double pain on the teener!
I read the tech article on paragon on replacing front shocks, and they never mention doing the ball-joints...
what about tie-rod ends? any other safety issues I should check out while I'm under there again?
if the boot is torn, if you have obvious signs of looseness that you cannot trace to any other part of the vehicle...if for some reason you feel they are 30 years old and original....
ball joints are one of those items that I've replaced just 'cause I didn't know the history of them and they appeared to be factory original (same about of crap on them as the a-arms)
they should be about a 20 minute job per side as long as you don't run into any problems
How many miles on the car? 100,000 miles? change them. Look for torn boots, take a pry bar and see if there is movement in the ball joint. Actually, changing the ball joints is easy- it's been discussed here many times on how to take off the spanner nut. - Air chisel, special keyed socket tool, make your own tool etc. Tie rod ends? look for play and torn boots too. Might be a good time to upgrade to Turo tie rods, but stock versions are OK too. DH
QUOTE (tat2dphreak @ May 18 2005, 02:54 PM) |
I re-read all of the old threads and couldn't find the real answer to this question: when do you need to replace the ball joints? should you do it on GPs when you change the front shocks? is there a visual inspection to look for to tell you when they NEED replacing? I'm going to be doing the front shocks soon, but don't *really* want to do the ball joints until they need it... it's a pain on every vehicle, and it looks to be a double pain on the teener! I read the tech article on paragon on replacing front shocks, and they never mention doing the ball-joints... what about tie-rod ends? any other safety issues I should check out while I'm under there again? |
ok, well, if I do it then what do I need besides the ball joints? do I need that special castle nut tool? also PP has a laundry list of "hardware" ... what will I be able to reuse, and what should I replace?
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/9144/POR_9144_suspen_pg4.htm#item17
20 minutes/side huh? it's been my experience that I am about 3x slower than everyone else... so I can bet on 2 hours for both... actually, it will probably 1.5 hours on the first one, and 30 minutes on the second
ok, I'll take a look tonight and maybe post pics...
what about putting the castle nut BACK on? is it usually destroyed after removal?
I tried a chisel and BFH, and I gave up before I destroyed the nut (flattened chisel point). You can get new nuts for a few bucks each. You may want the pins as well, I needed one and the other was great.
I had a shop replace mine and saved/reused the nuts
You don't have to remove the strut from the A-arm to replace the front shocks, loosen/remove the top nut on the stut tower and pull down the shock and dust cap - then tilt it out of the fenderwell & replace.
If you use the car hard at all, I would replace them every few years. They are cheaper than body work when one of them breaks.
I have had two of them break in the last few years at speed. I replace them every other winter now (on the track car).
For a mildly used car (such as a street car) I would consider changing them out every 5-6 years. (sooner if the boots are torn)
QUOTE (JOHNMAN @ May 18 2005, 02:41 PM) |
If you use the car hard at all, I would replace them every few years. They are cheaper than body work when one of them breaks. I have had two of them break in the last few years at speed. I replace them every other winter now (on the track car). For a mildly used car (such as a street car) I would consider changing them out every 5-6 years. (sooner if the boots are torn) |
QUOTE (tat2dphreak @ May 18 2005, 03:11 PM) |
what about putting the castle nut BACK on? is it usually destroyed after removal? |
Kick ass then I guess I'll order those parts soon... I think I can do it, at least I feel much more confident now than I did... when reading *how* to do it, it seems complicated, but I'm sure when you actually try to do it, it's not as bad... and of course I know where to ask if I have trouble...
I did mine about 9 months ago, the nut did not want to come off even with a big ass pipe wrench and 4 ft long chearter bar, heat and penetrating oil and a few choice cuss words. I torqued so hard on those things that the car moved sideways but the nuts would not budge. I finally took a drill and drilled into the nuts for I would be replacing both the nuts and ball joints. That split the nuts and they came off in a wink. They were RUSTED into place
and never would have come off without dynamite.
Putting the new stuff on was fun, especially with that PP tool and 180 footpounds of torque. I did the tie-rod ends while the thing was apart and I was going to have to spend the money for an alignment afterwards anyway
Hope my story adds to your encouragement to go ahead and replace it all ! It is only money and peace of mind.
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