Front Lower Ball Joint replacement

A

Andrew

CCCUK Member
Thanks to the help of the lovely people in this club and on this forum i have completed the wheel bearing swap.(y)

The next phase of my journey of my C4 passing her MOT is replacing the front lower ball joints (and replacing some worn joint covers) Quick recommendation for Keith at Eurovettes who got all the bits for me.

Please can someone tell me what specific tool I need to both remove the old lower wishbone ball joints and pop in the new ones. (on a low budget!)

How do i know if the tool will have a correct sleeve for the C4 lower ball joints?

How cheap can i go without the tool being rubbish? ;) i look on amazon and there are cheap ones-but the reviews say "bent after one use" etc
 
Steven Smith

Steven Smith

CCCUK Member
Do you mean the ones in the wishbone ?
If so it is a press fit.
You either need a bearing press or pay someone to press the old one out and press the new in.
 
Last edited:
teamzr1

teamzr1

Supporting vendor
I always used a cheap pickle fork and a hammer, Amazon $10

SL1500_.jpg

New one will seat when torquing down ball joints nut
Or get a C clamp tall enough to make the fit
Or they make cheap tool kits that are for remove and install ball joints
 
A

Andrew

CCCUK Member
Thank you Team ZR-1 and Steven. Thats a great idea- that the new bearing will pop in when tightened up. And cheap fork tool to get old one out. :):):):):)
 
A

Andrew

CCCUK Member
I started on this, this afternoon:

1) I removed the road wheel,
2) disconnected the brake caliper and rested to one side
3) removed the iron brake disc
4) undid the castle nut on the lower ball joint
5) disconnected the steering arm.

At this point the hub can swing around 180°.

The following are still connected to the aluminium hub-

a) coilover,
b) top (and bottom!) ball joint
c) anti roll bar.

Ive stuck my pickle fork in the bottom ball joint to try to prise open but no joy.

ive tried raising the top arm with the jack- no joy.

Am i missing something? (apart from mechanic training obvs.;)) Might there be something i havn't disconnected yet that i should do? People on you tube seem to be able to do the job whilst keeping the top ball joint connected.
 
A

Andrew

CCCUK Member
should i:

A) Unbolt more things
B) Hit things with a big hammer
C) Pop crowbar in ball joint
D) Call mobile mechanic
E) Spend afternoon playing video games and eating crisps instead
F) Take up different hobby eg crochet knitting
 
Steven Smith

Steven Smith

CCCUK Member
I would remove coil over, put castle nut back on lower ball joint loosely, just to protect threads, hit lower ball joint housing simultaneously on both sides with hammers then try pickle fork again. I used this type of separator
IMG_20241103_074833.jpg
 
A

Andrew

CCCUK Member
Thanks- Steven- mega! Will the coil over spring out when you undo nuts? is a pig to get back in again becuase its on a spring?
 
A

Andrew

CCCUK Member
do you need some special tool to compress the coil over before you remove it? I note that the coilover is on its very lowest setting anyway which may be a real good thing.
 
A

Andrew

CCCUK Member
The last owner had the car absolutely "slammed" to the ground. Ive raised the rear already and actually drive down my driveway!
 
johng

johng

CCCUK Member
Have you got both sides of the car jacked up? If not the the anti roll bar will be pulling the lower arm up. I've always had good luck with hitting both sides of the ball joint housing as Steve says
 
A

Andrew

CCCUK Member
johng said:
Have you got both sides of the car jacked up? If not the the anti roll bar will be pulling the lower arm up. I've always had good luck with hitting both sides of the ball joint housing as Steve says
Click to expand...
No i havnt jacked up both sides- good call-thank you! i will jack up and support driver side too so both sides up on the jack stands now. thank you John (y):):):)
 
Steven Smith

Steven Smith

CCCUK Member
Andrew said:
okay-Thanks Steven-I just went to Halfords and got the spring compressor (£36.99 and more security tags on it that a gold Rolex) (y)(y)(y)(y)
Click to expand...
I have had a better look at your pictures and not sure if the springs are actually under pressure or not, you will have to assess that.
Are you trying to replace the lower ball joint on the wish bone ?
 
A

Andrew

CCCUK Member
Steven Smith said:
I have had a better look at your pictures and not sure if the springs are actually under pressure or not, you will have to assess that.
Are you trying to replace the lower ball joint on the wish bone ?
Click to expand...
okay- will see if the springs feel loose. yes my MOT faliure sheet said to replace the lower wish bone lower ball joint.
 
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