Changing balljoints....

[-CRAZY-]

hey...

i find myself in a need to change balljoints on my cougar. both... left and right... I have a V6 auto if that anyhow matters.

can it be done on my own? should be done on my own? How can it be done?


thanx...

[mellott73]

yes balljoints can be changed by yourself all you have to do is grind the rivits off the old ones and then pop the old unit off and then just bolt the new ones in there place its pretty simple actually

[Drewmanfu0]

Best done with the control arm on the car and a long snout'ed air chisel to remove the rivets. The new one simply bolts on.

If you have 2 bolt arms it is a few bucks more to replace the whole lower control arm and you get new bushings at the same time.

[Redlineracer12]

Best done with the control arm on the car and a long snout'ed air chisel to remove the rivets. The new one simply bolts on.

If you have 2 bolt arms it is a few bucks more to replace the whole lower control arm and you get new bushings at the same time.

I was just going to say that. I picked up a new set of LCA's (two bolt) from BATinc for a little over $120 shipped. Definitely happy with my purchase. I needed the bushings more than the balljoints though. :crazy:

I guess the balljoints alone on the car would be less work though.

[-CRAZY-]

is it necessary to cut the rivets off??

[darksleeper123]

Yep, you are not going to be able to remove the balljoints unless you grind off the rivets. I did mine when my engine was out so I had alot more room. A 4 1/2" grinder did the trick for me. Just make sure you put the bleeder screws in. LOL. Long story on that one.

[-CRAZY-]

LOL..... ok...

any recommendations on a brand name?

i heard prices from 30$ a piece to 100$ a piece.. and redlinaracer12 said LCAs...
i assume there is a huge difference in # of miles the 30$ and 100$ balljoints will last, but i also short with $$... so don't want to buy the most expensive ones...

[mellott73]

the ball joints i used were just direct replacements and they were like 23 a piece i think, and they come with a grease fitting to pro-long there life unlike the stock ball joints....i really dont see the need to pay anymore than 30 or 35 at the most for a ball joint

[gamiller]

BAT also sells ball joints.

I think I saw in the online AutoZone repair manual that you could drill out the rivets instead of using an air chisel. I used an air chisel and it still took forever. My ears were ringing all night.

[mellott73]

i would honestly say your best bet is doing what i did and just grind the small head of the bottom side of the rivit and it'll just pop off takes about 20 sec for each rivit and you wont have any ringing ears, maybe a smoldering car so just check for gas leaks before hand :rofl:

[B3NN3TT]

BAT also sells ball joints.

I think I saw in the online AutoZone repair manual that you could drill out the rivets instead of using an air chisel.

EXACTLY. If and when I end up having to do this, I'm using a drill.

And yes - any chance I have to give BAT more business, I do it. Those guys are good people.

British American Transfer (http://www.batinc.net) - free plug...

[-CRAZY-]

perfect... thanx guys...