I have a 2001 Forester L. It is a manual 5 speed. The front U joint failed and the drive shaft dropped. As I was pulling the car home, a little over 1/2 a mile, the stick shift popped loose. When I took the cover off I saw the ball joint had popped out of the socket. How would I get it back in? It will not fall into place by hand.

 

Thank you.

Push HARD.  Apply some grease to the ball end and push down hard

Gonna try again tomorrow. I've been extremely busy with work.

There's a snap ring/circlip that holds the cup in place. Remove the snap ring and pull the cup out, pop it back onto the pivot ball, then it slips back into place with ease. Reinstall the snap ring.

 

Short shifter install shows the snap ring:

Edited August 12, 20178 yr by Fairtax4me