Ball joint replacement on ‘87

stiej1977

CCCUK Member
Hi all

Anyone attempted a front upper and lower ball joint replacement?

Any tips? I’ve got the Haynes manual to follow.

Planning to buy AC Delco Professional replacements at about £46 each.

It’s not destined for the track and I want to keep it stock.

Also am I right in thinking that the uppers are riveted onto the control arm?

What tools will I need?
 

stiej1977

CCCUK Member
So, looking at rockauto, the AC DELCO Daily Driver ones are 17 quid dear for a upper and lower ball joint pair, compared with the MOOG ones in the Premium section. So what's better, the premium but yet significantly cheaper ones or the stock oem stuff which aren't listed as "premium"??? (whatever that actually means). thanks!
 

kentvette

CCCUK Member
I don't have first hand experience, but as far as many C3 owners are concerned, apparently Moog stuff is the "Gold Standard" and as such seems to be recommended.
 

stiej1977

CCCUK Member
I don't have first hand experience, but as far as many C3 owners are concerned, apparently Moog stuff is the "Gold Standard" and as such seems to be recommended.
Thanks. I’m tempted on both potential better quality and significantly cheaper. But do like to keep the car stock. Silly really!
 

FelixP

CCCUK Member
I had my front ball joints replaced and did polybushes about 2 years ago in my 89. I used the AC Delco ones and Energy bushes. Car is nice and tight to drive and the polybushes have only just started to squeak sometimes over speedbumps on cold days. Very happy with the setup. I'm in Cardiff if you want to see how it drives. Ended up paying my friendly mechanic to do it and he carefully drilled out the old ones. If I replace them in the distant future, it'll be easier to just unbolt them now.
 

stiej1977

CCCUK Member
Thanks felix.

In fact anyone got any tips on how to actually remove the lower ball joint from the A arm? The Haynes manual says to remove the arm and take it to a shop. Can I just buy a ball joint press tool off eBay to push the lower ball joint out? Anyone got experience of that working well enough? Does any more care need to be made for the arm being aluminium?
 
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