How To Repair Bent Ball Joint Press

Suspect a possible bad ball joint? Then you're serving your customer well past being proactive about the repair for such a safety-disquisitional role. Replacing a brawl joint won't be the same process for every vehicle, peculiarly since there are several different kinds of ball joints. In the video beneath, nosotros'll take a wait at how to supersede a press-in ball articulation. Specifically, we're looking at a Honda Civic, which Delphi Technologies covers with our function TC1299.

Nosotros'll explain the full process below the video as well.

How tin can I tell if my customer's car has a bad ball joint?

We recommend a thorough pre-alignment inspection. Some common signs include:

Unusual noises
Instability
Handling concerns.

What should I look for when inspecting a ball joint?

Keep in mind that integrity of the prophylactic boot is the cardinal. A common problem is that the boot will split, grease volition leak out, and cause problems. Generally when inspecting a ball joint, we expect for motility outside of manufacturers' specifications, but with low friction non greaseable joints you should look forseized joints that evidence no movement.

What tools will I need for a press-in ball articulation replacement?

Ball joint press kit (including C-clamp and adapters)
Socket, ratchet, torque, and extension wrenches
Socket air tools
Ball joint separator (also known as a pickle fork)
Needle olfactory organ pliers
Screwdrivers
Tire iron
Side cutters
Axle press
Hammer
Store towels
Rust penetrant

Steps to supplant a press-in ball joint

Brand certain you follow manufacturers' recommendations for installation, torque specs, and TSBs where applicable.

Removing the brawl joint

Use side cutters to remove the cotter pin that'due south securing the fastening nut.
Utilize a socket wrench to remove the fastening nut.
Use a socket wrench to remove the beam nut.
Push the beam dorsum through and loosen the knuckle associates, moving information technology to gain access to the ball joint.
Carve up the brawl joint from the lower control arm with your ball joint separator. You can operate the tool with a socket wrench, using an appropriately sized socket. You will hear a crisp, articulate snap when the stud pops loose from the lower control arm.
Push the axle shaft dorsum through the hub assembly. You may need to use an beam press and a socket wrench to get things started because often the axle can get dry out or stuck over fourth dimension. Brand sure yous can swing the axle shaft clear and prop it up (perhaps with a piece of woods or a tool). This frees up the lower ball articulation.
Button the outer CV joint back through the hub associates to loosen it up, but make sure you lot don't pull the inner CV joint out of the transmission. You lot just desire to remove the knuckle and associates.
Remove the axle press with the socket wrench.
Remove the knuckle and the strut associates out so your press tin admission the ball joint.
Remove the prophylactic boot by knocking information technology off with a hammer and screwdriver. The new ball joint comes with a new boot and so you lot don't accept to worry near protecting the old ane. Clean off the exposed ball articulation stud with a shop rag.
Fix up your brawl joint press. The adapters you'll demand to use are vehicle-specific. The upper and lower cone volition fit together on tiptop and lesser of the ball joint.
Run the press inward to printing out the old brawl joint with the socket wrench and ball joint press.
Remove the acme and bottom accessories and remove the erstwhile ball joint. If it comes out cleanly with the printing, merely double check that there are no edges to be concerned virtually on the steering knuckle, and no hidden damage.

Set up ball joint separator tool.	Remove axle nut.
Fit upper adapter onto ball joint.	Fit lower adapter onto ball joint.

Replacing the brawl articulation

Information technology'south a good rule of thumb to always check the new and old components side by side to brand sure your new part matches the one coming out. Take off the new retaining nut and plastic aircraft cover.
Insert the new brawl joint into the knuckle and brand sure information technology's level.
The adapters to install the ball joint are different from the ones you used to remove the old ane. A small particularly designed adapter fits tightly over the upper portion of the ball joint. Fit this on, and place the press on top of the upper adapter.
The lower adapter fits over the big brawl joint screw under the ball joint, with room for the stud and threads so that they won't go damaged during the installation procedure.
Make sure everything is square and truthful to the knuckle, and current of air the printing up to tighten it by manus. It's very important to press the joint in in a level and square mode, with the joint centered and aligned to the knuckle. Jerk while tightening to brand certain everything remains straight.
In one case you are sure y'all take clearance and everything is safe and secure, use a socket wrench to stop pressing in the brawl joint with the printing.
Once the upper mating surface of the joint meets securely with the knuckle, you can remove the press. Brand certain that the prophylactic boot hasn't been nicked or touched, and that the threads remain condom and undamaged. Bank check that the brawl joint has pressed fully downwardly.
Brainstorm working the axle shaft back into the wheel bearing. Apply a bit of rust penetrant to help it slide dorsum in properly. Match the splines into the hub.
Re-secure the knuckle and the new ball joint stud to the lower control arm. Brand sure the axle is feeding through properly and starting to poke through the outside of the hub associates.
Add the securing nut and tighten with a socket wrench.
Add the cotter pin.
Reinstall the axle nut and torque it to manufacturer specifications. If it's non all the way through, you tin can catch the outside CV joint to assist you.
Finally, you can safely lower the vehicle to the footing. Finish up the job by taking the vehicle to get an alignment.

Now yous've done information technology! A safe and successful press-in ball joint replacement.

Wind upwardly press.	Articulation released from knuckle.
Air current upwardly ball joint press.	Resecure ball articulation stud to control arm.

Do I need a retaining prune?

For this unit TC1299 there is no need for a retaining clip (or snap ring). There was no retaining clip in the OE unit and the Delphi Technologies OE design is exactly the same, so a clip is not necessary. The new part comes with a cotter pin and the nut for a consummate installation.

How many times can I replace a ball joint on the aforementioned vehicle?

Follow manufacturer recommendations. For this part, TC1299, only i replacement opportunity is possible per the OE. If the joint needs to be replaced again, the OE recommends purchasing a new knuckle and ball articulation, and replacing both.

A few safety tips:

It's important to employ a proper brawl joint printing. In the by, brawl joints could exist punched or hammered out, only this is no longer best exercise.
Brand sure you have room to piece of work. The brawl articulation press needs a sure amount of space, so information technology's preferable to use a hoist. If you're working on the ground with axle stands, make sure you have plenty clearance on the basis.