Hi all, lower ball joint question

[coolio]

Hi, have had my good old reliable K10 1991 LS for about 18 months now, have had to put a new gearbox in it and have replaced loads of electrics, but it has failed its MOT on the lower ball joint.

Just a quick question any tips on replacing the ball joint, as it seems like it may be quite tricky as apparently it needs drawing out of the fabrication.

Do i need to draw it out of the fabrication on a press, need a special tool or can i just hammer it out? And hammer a new one in?

Any tips, would be appreciated, Many thanks and great website, carn't believe some of the mods you lot have done to your micras!

 

[K10Daz]

If you hammer it out and hammer it in you risk damaging the housing for the ball joint - sometimes its cheaper - and easier to replace the whole bottom wishbone..

 

[bobsp16]

i brought a new pair off ebay for about £30,
if you need new one's hammer them out it doesn,t matter about damaging the old ones

 

[Mat.T]

would some thing like this be ok? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SEALEY-Ball-Joint-Puller_W0QQitemZ150041476665
i've got to do the ones on my triumph soon, 3 of them!

 

[K10Daz]

That tool is for splitting the ball joint from the hub assembly - not removing it from the wishbone, you will need to press it out.

Bob - if you hammer the old one out you risk damaging the seat on the wishbone then the new balljoint wouldnt be very safe.

 

[coolio]

Cheers for the responses all

How easy is it to press it out from the arm? Guessing its gonna be a bit fiddly, plus its probably going to be quite corroded, which is why i don't really want to take the arm off, as the bolts are likely to be knackered.

 

[sonic]

Imo its easier and cheaper to replace the full arm that way you get a new ball joint and bushes with the new arm, check this out;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NISSAN-MICRA-...ryZ10402QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

 

[coolio]

Cheers for the tips, had a look at the whole lot and luckily the bolts weren't too bad so managed to get the whole arm off. And ordered another one for £28 which ain't bad at all.

Cheers for the help

 

[james betley]

i replised the whole wishbone on mine easy than replise the ball joint