Lower arm ball joint Q

Louis_vtr · Unread post by **Louis_vtr** » 26 Mar 2004, 22:44

Will i need a new lower arm? or can i just replace the ball joint?
The manual says it's press fit! will i need to get an engineer to do this?

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 26 Mar 2004, 23:01

Is your car an early Ford T [?][:p][;)]

JohnD · Unread post by **JohnD** » 26 Mar 2004, 23:25

Sometimes you can - sometimes you can't. If you have a 205, you'll need a complete new lower arm. If it's a Xsara, you only need to undo three bolts to get the ball off the arm. But enough of the guessing games - tell us what car it is.

Louis_vtr · Unread post by **Louis_vtr** » 27 Mar 2004, 00:21

Damn[|)] sorry it's a saxo vtr with a drop link set-up

wheeler · Unread post by **wheeler** » 27 Mar 2004, 03:27

yes the ball joint can be replaced seperately but you will need a press or a big vice to put the new one in.any half decent garage should be able to do it.

Louis_vtr · Unread post by **Louis_vtr** » 27 Mar 2004, 19:09

So will i need to remove the lower arm and take it to a garage along with the new ball joint?

Louis_vtr · Unread post by **Louis_vtr** » 27 Mar 2004, 19:21

Before i order my new ball joint i need to be certain that it's not a droplink/ball joint problem.
Can you tell me any key points to look for when checking ball joints.
My car is lowered and the droplink/arb ball joint is at quite a severe angle, is this likely to make it wear quicker??

JohnD · Unread post by **JohnD** » 27 Mar 2004, 20:19

To check the lower arm ball joint, jack up the car by the body and when the wheel is hanging, use a long lever under the front wheel. Look for any movement in the ball joint as the wheel is levered upwards.

Louis_vtr · Unread post by **Louis_vtr** » 27 Mar 2004, 21:05

Thanks i tried checking it with the wheel off so i could see the ball joint properly but don't know if i had enough leverage to check it properly.
To check the anti-roll bar/droplink I jacked both wheels off the ground and tried jerking the arb looking for play but i couldn't find any, is it worth removeing the drop link to check how stiff the joint is?
My symptoms are that of a droplink ball joint failure, as i can hear a clonking sound when driving over uneven ground and conering.

JohnD · Unread post by **JohnD** » 27 Mar 2004, 21:26

You really need two people on it. One to watch the joint - the other to lever the wheel up and down.

Louis_vtr · Unread post by **Louis_vtr** » 30 Mar 2004, 18:04

Thanks people. i've come to the conclusion i need a new droplink as the ball joint cannot be replaced separately and it's a far easier fix, fingers crossed.