March 2, 200521 yr Had this in the wrong forum..... I finished replacing the ball joints on my 95 Impreza Coupe (108,000) and what a pain in the rear it was. I swear, I took me 4 HOURS to get the right side loose from the control arm. Then putting in back together, well....... Anyway. Got both of them done. Torqued to specs. Now the steering is much tighter than it was. It takes a little more effort to turn than it did before. Is this normal? The old ones...the rubber was gone, no grease and the stud would just flop around. The new ones are tighter and hardly movable by hand. Thanks.
March 2, 200521 yr If the old ones were that gone, it's normal for your steering to have become a little tighter. Torquing the ball joint has no effect on the joint's movement. Even if you had overtorked it would'nt have any effet on the joint's movement. As for the ease of removal, my first experience will ball joints (on a Loyale) had much in common with yours. The ball joint is the moving suspension part closest to ground and to salt in winter that there is. This has some consequences.
March 2, 200521 yr Author Thanks for the reply and ease of mind. Yeah, they were pretty bad. I done a search on here and it seems that just about everyone has had the same experience getting the old ones off. It was rediculous! Got so fed up that I done the other side the following day. Good thing I didn't have to work.
March 3, 200521 yr Hi medic---I use a propane torch at the right spots to loosen things up. It's a tough job anyways. I haven't experienced the tight steering afterwards. Maybe a realignment might help.
March 21, 200521 yr Author Hi Medic---Did that steering loosen up on its own or did it need a little help? Royboy...It still feels about the same, but to be honest with you it feels secure. Like it should be. No play in the wheel and not overly tight. Just a good solid feeling of having control. My Pathfinder feels like it needs some work now. Thanks for asking...Bill
March 21, 200521 yr Justa question, have you changed out the power steering fluid yet? If not, just get a cheap turkey baster and suck out as much as possible, then refill with correct fluid.
March 21, 200521 yr Author Justa question, have you changed out the power steering fluid yet? If not, just get a cheap turkey baster and suck out as much as possible, then refill with correct fluid. No I haven't. Hadn't thought about it. Think I will do it now that you mentioned it.
March 21, 200521 yr I went to a BMW brake service training class in Seattle, and the guy saw us thru how bad the fluid gets in the power steering system. Good idea to stay on top of it.
March 21, 200521 yr Commuter and I, and maybe a few others, put Mobil 1 synt auto trans fluid in the power steering. Maybe an overkill but why not for a few dollars more? Seems to work perfectly after two years (or about).
May 16, 200520 yr just a question, when the balljoints were bad did they make any noise, like when takeing off and slowing down and more when going over a curb or something. I just baught balljoints today and am replacing cause the rubber boot is ripped. Any info would be greatly appreciated. thanks
May 16, 200520 yr just a question, when the balljoints were bad did they make any noise, like when takeing off and slowing down and more when going over a curb or something. I just baught balljoints today and am replacing cause the rubber boot is ripped. Any info would be greatly appreciated. thanksWhat kind of noise are you hearing and when? BTW, you may want to start a new thread to discuss this as it may involve other suspension components as well/instead.
May 16, 200520 yr What kind of noise are you hearing and when? BTW, you may want to start a new thread to discuss this as it may involve other suspension components as well/instead. like when takeing off and slowing down and more when going over a curb. Its a loud noise as if steel was rubbing against steel. A loud deep sound (clunk) I already have a couple. (Struts, swaybar links)
May 16, 200520 yr like when takeing off and slowing down and more when going over a curb. Its a loud noise as if steel was rubbing against steel. A loud deep sound (clunk) I already have a couple. (Struts, swaybar links)You covered my top suspects, it seems. Also check the bushings. They are small bits of plastic and when they wear out you will basically have metal (sway bar) scratching against metal (crossmember) making that horrific sound similar to fingernails on a chalkboard.
May 16, 200520 yr might be a long shot, but check out your steering yoke (the thing that goes from the steering column to the rack & pinion). The bearings in mine went and it was REALLY hard to turn.
May 16, 200520 yr well the steering is easy, and also I think I ruled out the sway bar because the links are gone. but maybe I should just take the swaybar completly out then see what happens, Im just waiting on a phone call for a parts car. Then its a matter of replacing stuff. If I had a nother driver driving and me standing outside the car I could probably figure out where the noise is coming from.
May 18, 200520 yr well the steering is easy, and also I think I ruled out the sway bar because the links are gone. but maybe I should just take the swaybar completly out then see what happens, Im just waiting on a phone call for a parts car. Then its a matter of replacing stuff. If I had a nother driver driving and me standing outside the car I could probably figure out where the noise is coming from. Hey Turbo----If this is a 95 Impreza I'd say it's not the ball joints. If it's some other model, I'd start a new thread with the model in the title.
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