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Getting balljoint back into knuckle

S

Sprebound

Veteran CEG'er
Joined
May 2, 2005
Messages
806
Location
Lakeville, MN
Is it just me, or is it every time that I take the balljoint out of the knuckle, I have just the hardest time getting it back in. I eventually do get it and I wish I would write it down how exactly I end up pulling it off. I am in the middle of installing my camber kit and once again, I am at the part where I reinstalled the struts, and now all I have left is putting the balljoints back into the knuckles, but I just can't seem to position them so that they will enter the hole. Anyone have any tricks that they would like to share? Does the tie-rod need to be undone for them to go in? I didn't have to take off the tie-rod to get them off... Anyways, how do you guys go about getting the balljoints back in?
 
Phew...alright, so I ended up taking the tie-rod end off and turning the knuckle back and finaggling it in there. Wow. Well if anyone has a better way of doing it, I guess feel free to share your wealth of knowledge. Onward ho!
 
You just pry the s**t out of it. I use 6 foot digging bar with a chain wrapped around the lower arm to pull it down till it fits in.
 
remove pinch bolt on strut and raise hub as far as it will go .... shouldn't have to pry down the control arm, just push down ...
 
I just try to pull down on the control arm from under the car and move the joint pointing out and I can slip it under the knuckle. After i take the tie rod off. I forget how I do it every time. I dont suggest jacking up the rotor, last time the lift flew out and left me with a large bruise and cut from the handle.
 
I had a hell of a time doing my struts for the same reason.

Between the strut going in, and the axle pushing out horizontally, it made the head on the ball joint the focal point. I basically man handled the ******* between two floor jacks, a rubber mallet, and a pry bar. Once it go to the sweet spot it popped right back up into the knuckle.
 
Yeah, I got the driver's side in just by taking the tierod off and muscling it around. The passengers side I had to undo the strut pinch bolt like Brapple said to get it higher and then I could get it in. Man, these cars are fun to drive but they definitely had maintenance WAY at the bottom of the priority list when they were designed...haha.
 
I just did this yesterday, huge pain. Compressing the spring made it a lot easier though.
 
No need for that. A little pry bar to pry down the LCA and make sure the BJ is pointing out. Let it rest close on the knuckle and put the brake rotor on. Lay on back with 2 feet on rotor and push. The BJ will pop right on the knuckle. When it's in I give or some kicks so it owrks it's way all the way in.
 
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