Thread: Ugh .... LCA ball joint.

To get those old bushings out.the easiest way is to drill a hole through existing rubber.then get a Sawzall and cut bushing and sleeve twice to make a void .if you want to make two voids it is up to you.take a screw driver and a smack.sleeve should fall out of the control arm.wipe it down with some brake cleaner.apply the es assembly lube and press it in.i would use the ball joint c clamp. Hope this helps

Greasing those bushings before install prevents squeaking.

Or try to find a piece of steel pipe from home Depot or Lowe's that's the same outer diameter as that metal sleeve. Soak it in P blaster put it in a vice n take a dead blow to it

I just pick this up a month ago.how easy was it to use this tool on the lower ball joint separation from hub?

@rojeda1217 it worked great! I just had to move it to the alternate pivot point.

U guys have no idea.
This is what those of us in the rust belt face.







Mind you, I had this all disassembled only 2 years ago to replace axles.

Hours ...... spent just getting the arm needing replacement off.
We're talking 'quest' level ish here.

I feel the pain with rust.when you work, you need to use marine grease protects better since you're by water.id take those arms off n soak them in pb n take a wire brush to them n paint it with rustoleum.

Good grief.
Epic, but in a bad way.
Finally put all* this shite back together last week. Then flew out on a business trip.

*Removed roll bar all together just cause we needed a usable beater NOW.
With more than half the susp bushings replaced plus the main ball joint .... WOOT
Alignment is pretty much fixed. Slightest off center steering wheel, but he drives straight as an arrow.

Wish I had pictures...
There was one point where it took 3 cycles of torch, soak and gun before the main knuckle/ball joint came loose.

More than a month past and so glad that the 'while we're in there' maxim was applied.

This car is sooo much fun again. Bonus getting 20mpg to boot blasting thru cross town traffic on the commute. Lots of full throttle light to light. That's better than before the curb incident.
Handling is no longer spooky after.
Yes ..... Bob rolls a bit, but it's smooth, and once he takes a set you gotta get stupid to even get a squeal out of the tires.
This is just from balls and rear bushings on both LCAs.
Can't wait to see what he can do with some SERious suspension R&R