Front lower ball joint

[Ericutlass]

I need to change the frt lower ball joint on the cutlass and checked today at rockauto.
I noticed there are two choices : normal and oversize.

What part is better to buy ?

Thanks
Eric

[ragz442]

I did not know there was a choice. The bj is a press fit and should be snug in the control arm. If the normal size fits with no resistance I guess i'd get the oversize.

[Ericutlass]

The one i removed (the rubber was cut) seems very difficult to install again, i think i'm gonna buy a pair of normal size..
thanks ragz442

[GT73]

I recently replaced my lower ball joints with oversize, they were a total bitch to put in but finally fit.

Choice is yours. Remember to replace any other worn suspension parts as well in the front, while its on the hoist.

[Ericutlass]

Just come back from vacation, thanks for your help GT73, i'm now looking for a ball joint press, saw some on ebay but if a member of the forum has one for sell i'm interested for.

[GT73]

Your welcome Ericutlass, good luck finding a press (highly recommended) since it was a major task putting in new ball joints, had to hammer them in without a press.

Took quite a while and not sure if this is detrimental, my mechanic buddy said not to worry about it though.

[Ericutlass]

Thanks GT73, i tried to hammer one of the new BJ this afternoon but didn't insist because it is difficult to make it enter straight in the control arm.
I founded a press on ebay, will see if i'm the winner in a couple of days, i think it 'll cost more in shipping than the price of the press itself but i have no choice..

[73hurst]

I took the control arms for my '70 to the local Goodyear store and had them press them out for a minimal fee. That ended up being a mistake though, as they beat the hell out of the a-arms. I picked up a 6 ton press from my local discount tool supplier but ended up not using it to reinstall the bushings and ball joints, as it is really tricky getting them to go in straight. I ended up going to my local Auto Zone which rented the tools for free. I used my bench vise and the rental tools, which solved the problem of installing them straight. They went in without a hitch, so easy I couldn't believe how much time I wasted.

Pete

[Ericutlass]

They went in without a hitch, so easy I couldn't believe how much time I wasted.



Hope it'll be easy as it were for you, the difference is that my control arm is still on the frame.
I bid on a auction for a press that will ending this evening...... will let you know.

Eric

[Ericutlass]

I finaly won the press and received it last week, the ball joint is on the control arm now.
It was not so easy to install because the BJ went from left to right or inside to outside of the control arm when i started to press, but it's finaly on :) .

thanks you all

[Superdupont]

Good, my friend. Looking forward to see your car when it's finished. And to meet you, by the way;)

(sounds weird to me to speak to you in english..:D )

[Ericutlass]

Yann, i'm sure we will meet one day, about speaking english it makes me remember about the sketch "le 22 a Asnieres" :D

[Ericutlass]

Hi,

I'd like to know what is the correct torque to tighten upper and lower front control arms ball joints nuts. The service manual says 95 ft/lbs (min) for the upper ball joint, i adjusted this value on my torque wrench and the result is that the ball joint nuts ruined :eek: before the torque wrench went to 95 ft/lbs :confused: :confused:

Thanks

[ragz442]

I've never used a torque wrench on the castle nut, but 95 ft lbs does seem a little high. I've probably replaced 100's [Durango's had a recall and I was replacing 2-3 sets a day for a while] and I always just got them good and tight [probably 50-60 ft lbs]. If the hole doesn't line up for the cotter pin always tighten the nut till it does [never back off]. Sorry for the non technical reply.

[Ericutlass]

Thanks Ragz442, I finaly tighten the ball joints at 50ft/lbs.