Odds of my ball joints needing replacing?
#1
Odds of my ball joints needing replacing?
R53 57,000 miles, control arm bushings are shot so I am planning on dropping the subframe to replace them with new ones and while I am in there replace the lower engine mount that is cracking and the sway bar bushings on top of the control arm bushing mounts.
I am figuring my inner ball joints are ok, is that a fair assumption for the miles? Outer is easy enough to replace later if needed.
I am figuring my inner ball joints are ok, is that a fair assumption for the miles? Outer is easy enough to replace later if needed.
#2
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iTrader: (10)
It's hard to say if they will be ok. But they will be a lot easier to do while you have the subframe down. That is why most people do them as to not have to do the labor all over again.
Also a good time for the powerflex steering rack bushing since it will be easier too.
Also a good time for the powerflex steering rack bushing since it will be easier too.
#5
#6
#7
Oh jeez, I'm not sure in that case. They go until they break, and they usually bring with them lateral slop and pinging over bumps. I guess if you're trying to go super-safe, you could replace the inners preventatively whenever the subframe comes down, and leave the outers up to a semi-annual inspection, as they're relatively easy to replace if you have a ball joint separator.
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#8
#9
What year is your R53? If they aren't damaged and don't need replacing, but you're going to be in there anyways, you might as well replace them as a preventative measure. I recommend Lemforder as they're the OEM supplier: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...pg5.htm#item20. If you ever have parts questions please don't hesitate to reach out to me and ask. I am here to help.
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#10
If you are going to have the subframe out....just replace them. I pulled my subframe and put in new LCA bushings at around 80,000 miles. I didn't replace the ball joints......well, because they weren't making any noise and looked fine.
Well.....at 85,000 miles....they start making noise, so I had to drop the subframe AGAIN and replace the ball joints.
Just replace them now....or you could be kicking yourself later like I did
Well.....at 85,000 miles....they start making noise, so I had to drop the subframe AGAIN and replace the ball joints.
Just replace them now....or you could be kicking yourself later like I did
Last edited by IQRaceworks; 11-13-2017 at 10:57 AM.
The following users liked this post:
sarom058 (11-14-2017)
#11
If you are going to have the subframe our....just replace them. I pulled my subframe and put in new LCA bushings at around 80,000 miles. I didn't replace the ball joints......well, because they weren't making any noise and looked fine.
Well.....at 85,000 miles....they start making noise, so I had to drop the subframe AGAIN and replace the ball joints.
Just replace them now....or you could be kicking yourself later like I did
Well.....at 85,000 miles....they start making noise, so I had to drop the subframe AGAIN and replace the ball joints.
Just replace them now....or you could be kicking yourself later like I did
#12
I second that! I recently did mine while putting in poly LCA bushings. As most seem to be, my ball joints were a pain to get out without air/impact tools. But what did the trick is a pickle fork on the inners and a cold chisel set + 4lb. hammer for the outers. Best of luck to you!
#14
I recommend Lemforder as they're the OEM supplier: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...pg5.htm#item20. If you ever have parts questions please don't hesitate to reach out to me and ask. I am here to help.
Also, I guess I should rescind my previous statement. Trust these guys. Dropping subframe just for inner ball joints would suck. I didn't think about that.
When you do the job, make sure you pick up , though! They will make the job a breeze! Plus it's so much fun to explosively *POP* the ball joints out with this method. And later on, if you ever have to remove them, you can reuse them if they were removed with the seperator!!
#15