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Replacing Balljoints

It's not a ball, but new joints help restore control

As people as diverse as Liz Taylor and Eddie Van Halen can attest, joints wear out. In cars, ball-in-socket joints degrade over time (similar to their human counterparts). Lack of lubrication and dirt inside moving parts will accelerate the demise of a vehicle's joints.

Balljoints are the vital connectors between the steering linkage and axle assembly. Just as baseball pitchers often need rotator-cuff surgery, use and abuse wear down balljoints. Unfortunately for the do-it-yourselfer, many automotive manufacturers rivet the balljoints to the control arms in newer vehicles. As a result, removing original-equipment balljoints can require finesse and patience.

Shown here is a balljoint removal-and-replacement job on a typical front-wheel-drive car that has one joint per side. Trucks and older vehicles often have both upper and lower balljoints on each side; a hydraulic press is often required to service the uppers.

Installation Tips

> Refer to a service manual for fastener torque specifications and for any procedures that are unique to your vehicle.

> Unlock the steering wheel before jacking up the vehicle. This allows the steering linkage to be moved for the best possible access to the balljoints by grabbing one of the axle hubs.

> Secure the vehicle on jackstands before removing the tires/wheels.

> Buy name-brand balljoints (for safety's sake).

> If the balljoints' mounting socket is "egged," replace the control arm also.

> Have the vehicle professionally aligned afterward.

Signs of Failure

> Front end shimmy, shake and/or vibration.

> Abnormal front end noise.

> Hard steering.

> Steering wheel doesn't return to center properly.

> Vehicle wanders.

> Cupped tires.

> Steering feels unstable.

Inspection Tips

> Check the joints' rubber boots for cuts, deterioration and leaking grease. Replace them if any of these conditions exist.

> With the vehicle raised and secured, have a friend hold the tire top and bottom and attempt to move the top of the tire in and out while you feel for looseness on the castellated nut that secures the balljoint's stud.

> Using a prybar or large screwdriver under the balljoint, pry upward and look for looseness between the balljoint and steering knuckle.

> Place the prybar between the steering knuckle and balljoint and attempt to pry downward and check for any play.

> With the balljoint and control arm separated from the steering knuckle, attempt to twist the joint's stud in its socket with your fingers.