new ball joint

[skoal_mint]

i just bought a lower ball joint for $56 and im just wonder how the boot stays one?

it has a little notch in the bottom, is that so grease can come out or will that seal up then it hits the steering knuckle?

oh and can i change a ball joint with just a c-clamp, using a socket on the top and turning the clamp to press it out

 

[jp450]

Just bash the old joint out with a BFH.

 

[skoal_mint]

lol, ok thanks...i didnt know if they were in their solid, but a "BFH" would make it go by way faster

 

[jp450]

I have done mine several times and never used a press. Just support the lower control arm, remove locking ring and whack away. It should come out with 3-5 good shots with the BFH.

 

[witchdoctor]

While it is true that a BFH will do the job, it is better with a press. When you use a hammer you don't always knock it straight out, and over time this will round out the hole. If that happens then the new joints will not stay seated in the control arm, and you will have to replace the whole arm (this just happened to me).