May 18, 200817 yr How difficult is it to change the left ball joint? 2K OBW Took my car into Les Schwab yesterday to have this clunky noise checked out and that's the diagnosis. They quoted me 60-70 for the part (dealer only) and about 70 for labor not including alignment. Is this something I can do with relative ease? I think I even have a ball joint puller tool someplace...
May 18, 200817 yr alignment?.....when it comes to ball joints....there not that difficult....a few bolts, nut, and cotter pin....and lots of pounding....
May 18, 200817 yr Two caveat: 1) Go easy on the pinch bolt. If it's rusted it can be easily broken. Use lots of Liquid Wrench (or similar) and even heat the part of the knuckle where the threads are. 2) To remove the ball joint stud, a ball joint fork does marvels (costs almost nothing). It will destroy the joint's boot, but since you're replacing... You put the openning of the fork around the stud between the ball and the top of the control arm and you hit the tip of the handle straight on towards the wheel and not downwards like I've sometimes seen some people do. Put antiseize grease everywhere when you put back everything in place. Good luck.
May 18, 200817 yr Ball joints are only $30 from subarugenuineparts.com as for replacing it yourself, there are about a zillion threads around here filled with tips. This one, for example, actually has a link to the service manual page.
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