Hi Everyone! I am totally green but decided to do my own maintainance and repairs to save some money. I want to replace my ball joints but am a little hesitant as far as starting since I don't know whether specialized tools are required for this job. A 1991 wagon has tons of corrosion on the suspension Please advise THANKS IN ADVANCE Alex
Hey Alex Great Idea learning to work on your car and save money too....Im just not sure ball joints are the place to start. It does require a few tools not usually just laying around and it has to be done right too. Maybe you can have a friend who's done them show you the ropes....or even take it to a shop you know and ask if you can watch and learn.
91 Buick 305 Roadmaster Hi! I'm not that green, I have done my own disc pads and installed a starter. So, now can I get some advice on ball joint procedures. Thanks Alex
Shop Manual Best thing to start with is a factory shop manual. These usually cost $25 to $40 on ebay or from one of the warehouse sellers that have them. You will save that back (in money and skin) on the first job you do. I checked and did not find any on ebay right now, try a web search. If you attempt to change your own ball joints, remember that the coil springs are holding a tremendous amount of potential energy. They must be restrained while the ball joints are removed. YOU CAN BE SEVERELY INJURED if suspension components are not removed correctly. Get a shop manual, and best of luck to you.
91 Buick roadmaster Hi! So, to negate the coil potential energy one would place a jack stand under the control arm and then proceed to disengage the lower ball joint? Is it a GM shop manual that you buy from a dealer or is it a third party publication that you can purchase in any auto parts shop? Thanks Alex
(91 Buick 305 Roadmaster Estate wagon ball joints Am I on the wrong online help site, I thought this was strictly Buicks and knowledgeable people on fixing them. Am I to assume then that not many people do their own ball joints? Alex
Alex, The question may get better response if posted in the "Whoa and the Sway" section of the board. I know there is real danger in removing the ball joints and one must employ a coil spring compressor to hold the spring and not allow it to fly out of the control arms. People have had serious injuries/death from coil springs flying out during this repair. I have never personally did this job, but do understand the process. If you would like, I would be more than glad to move the topic intact over to the Suspension section for you. Just post back if you wish me to do so. Brad
Also Alex.... www.impalassforum.com is where most of us WhaleWagon owners hang out....specifically here http://impalassforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=20;hardset=;start_point=;DaysPrune=
I am moving this over to "The whoa and the sway" section of the board...please look for it there. Also, if anyone has some details for Alex and the proper procedures, please post. Brad
Ball joints Hi Brad and thanks. I'm not getting too much feedback on ball joints, I was wondering if I included some digital pictures of the ball joints would that help motivate the people in coming forth with suggestions and tool useage Thanks
I think just keeping this towards the top will help you most. One thing you could do is obtain a shop manual...in there the complete procedure would be outlined in detail. This is a procedure that while not difficult, does pose some risk to the mechanic involved. Some people may fear what would happen if they left out an important step and you would be injured.
Alex, A couple of tips: do it with someone hwo knows what they are doing and has done it before. If the shock goes through the spring don't remove it. It will hold the spring in place and stops it shooting out at you. Use spring clamps to take the tension out of a spring. A jack can move away unexpectedly when the spring unloads. Jack the car high enough to and take most of the stress off the springs - so they hang. You can tap them with a spanner to see if they still have any tension on them. Place jack stands firmly at either side of the frame rail to support the car. Don't do one side and then move round to the other, jack and put stands under both sides of the car at the same time to keep it level. When separating the ball joints make sure you keep the crown nut fully on the top of the ball joint studs. Also keep it on the A arm and remove it from the A arm on the bench not before you remove it from the spindle. It will keep everything together then the ball joint comes apart and stop the ball joint flying off into the distance. Believe me they do fly. I've seen a Mustang one embed itself in a concrete block garage wall 7 feet up the wall. Just missed the guy's temple and would have killed him. Luckily I'm still here to give you this advice [it was me 10 years ago; my Mustang and my wall !!!] Always work safely and double check everything as you progress. Ideally have a helper to watch for things [and you] and don't cut corners. Good luck. best regards Nick
Tips on Ball Joints Hi Nick! Sounds Like you definitely know your mechanics and I am so grateful that you are stressing the safety aspects of this procedure. Thanks again for being so meticulous Alex
