I need to replace my inner ball joints on my lower control arms pretty soon. I don't mind taking the time to drop the subframe again (just did it last year when I put in new bushings), but if there is a way to replace the ball joints without dropping the subframe...I sure would like to try it.

Has anyone replaced the inner ball joints without dropping the subframe? If so...how?

Thanks!

 

yea you can take off the inner ball joints with the sub frame on. just take off the wheel and get in there with a breaker bar or impact gun. taking out the wheel liner will prob help too. mine where on there good. i didnt replace them i just had to do something else

 

I don't understand how you could access with an impact gun the bolts that secure the inner ball joints to the subframe; please explain.

 

ill have to take pics and mark it out but it is possible. Pics wont be available till Sunday though.

i dunno maybe my gun is small. but i did take off the inner ball joint because i took it off and forgot to put the bracket for the head light auto level when i had the sub frame out of the car(for another job). so when i notice it when i had buttoned everything up i was like F*** but i was able to get to it and unbolt it.

 

ig you cant get a gun in there use a breaker bar with long pipe. i had to break the torque this way first but when i retorqued them to spec i got them off with the gun the second time.

 

dropping the sub frame isn't that hard.. first time there's learning, but after that its really quick!

phil.

 

+1
You can lower it slightly without dropping it completely. When I did my passenger side ball joint, I was able to get the bolts out without doing anything to the subframe. I used a box wrench to loosen the bolts. Then I removed the engine brace that's right next to the power steering cooling fan so that the engine could swing back a forth slightly; just enough to allow the one bolt to clear the inner CV joint.

Alternatively, you can remove the axle assembly to gain access to the bolts.

 

hahahaha thats why i could fit a gun in there i didnt have the axles in at the time. but you can def get in there with a breaker bar.