how to replace a ball joint

[mike113]

hi, i have a 94 plymouth voyager and i want to change the lower ball joint. i went to canadiantire and but them and they let me borrow the fork to replace the balljoints. Is that all i need to take off the balljoint and install back in. Can i just hammer the balljoint back into the hole or can't.

 

[aarcuda69062]

hi, i have a 94 plymouth voyager and i want to change the lower ball joint. i went to canadiantire and but them and they let me borrow the fork to replace the balljoints. Is that all i need to take off the balljoint and install back in. Can i just hammer the balljoint back into the hole or can't.

No, don't hammer on the ball joint.

You need a ball joint press, it looks like a C-clamp on steroids and has various sized receiving cups. Why they gave you a pickle fork is beyond me since there is no taper involved where the ball joint stud passes thru the steering knuckle. Also, be advised; some of these OEM ball joints have a spot weld across the junction with the lower control arm, the spot weld needs to be cut (a hack saw is fine) before you attempt to press the old ball joint out.

 

[Bill 2]

No, don't hammer on the ball joint.

You need a ball joint press, it looks like a C-clamp on steroids and has various sized receiving cups. Why they gave you a pickle fork is beyond me

Because it's Canadian Tire and they have no clue what they're doing? When I first started reading the OPs article I was worried he was going to say he had his vehicle serviced at CT.