Tools required for ball joint
11-13-2003, 08:24 PM
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Tools required for ball joint
Well i brought my car in for a second opinon on my front end, Canadian Tire told me all it requires is a left lower front ball joint, so for 37 bucks i bought one, so on saturday when i go to do my front brakes, i will also do that ball joint, my grandpa mentioned that usually when doing ball joints you need a tool called a "fork". If so will i actually need one?
11-13-2003, 08:33 PM
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That other shop was really tryin to nail you with all kinds of stuff. Bet your gald you got the second opinon? I think I heard something about a ball joint seperator and a compressor tools, not sure if there needed or not. Do me a favor and let me know what you ended up needing and how hard it was cause I want to do both my ball joint when I do a complete front end job this winter (Feb or so with income tax return) and I could use the heads up. Thanks
11-14-2003, 11:17 AM
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You are gonna need a whole lot more that a "fork" too I'm afraid. The Front Ball Joints are "Originally" RIVITED in place & will need their heads ground off & then centre'* drilled out. Then after this is done you can use the "fork". 
That'* why GM sells the whole lower control arm with ball joint. 
That'* why GM sells the whole lower control arm with ball joint.
11-14-2003, 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Roadrash187
I wouldnt throw out what the other place said, just keep it in the back of your head of what could be needing changing here.
11-14-2003, 06:29 PM
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i was waiting for someone to say it was riveted in there.
sometimes theu are a bear to get out. i use an air hammer with a chisel bit and knock off the heads if the rivets, then use a punch bit to drive them through.
i honestly would take it to a shop that specializes in streering / suspension and alignments. just because they are cheaper, doesnt mean they are right.
i had a 99 durango in the shop weds. the lady just bought it 2 weeks before. she was there just for an alignment. first thing i do it road test the car to see if it pulls, steering wheel it straight or not, vibrations, ect.
it drove great, but the steering wheel was a little off being straight.
next thing i do is raise the car up and get the wheels off the ground and shake everything down.
well........... here is what was wrong with the durango.
1) both lower ball joints had lateral movement
2) left front upper ball joint had lateral movement
3) right front uppper ball joint was ready to fall apart/ 3/8" movement in it up and down
4) both innner tie rod ends had over a 1/4" play in them / on this car it was sold as a unit . centerlink.
needless to say, she took it back to the dealer she bought it at for them to cover it.
sometimes theu are a bear to get out. i use an air hammer with a chisel bit and knock off the heads if the rivets, then use a punch bit to drive them through.
i honestly would take it to a shop that specializes in streering / suspension and alignments. just because they are cheaper, doesnt mean they are right.
i had a 99 durango in the shop weds. the lady just bought it 2 weeks before. she was there just for an alignment. first thing i do it road test the car to see if it pulls, steering wheel it straight or not, vibrations, ect.
it drove great, but the steering wheel was a little off being straight.
next thing i do is raise the car up and get the wheels off the ground and shake everything down.
well........... here is what was wrong with the durango.
1) both lower ball joints had lateral movement
2) left front upper ball joint had lateral movement
3) right front uppper ball joint was ready to fall apart/ 3/8" movement in it up and down
4) both innner tie rod ends had over a 1/4" play in them / on this car it was sold as a unit . centerlink.
needless to say, she took it back to the dealer she bought it at for them to cover it.
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