Just like other components of your vehicle, the ball joint can fail over time. Due to its location and functionality, it constantly undergoes repeated stresses, including road conditions, changing weather, dirt, dust, and road salt. Once they are worn out, you can notice symptoms of a bad ball joint like clunking noise, steering pulling to one side, steering vibrations, etc.
If you suspect the ball joints in your car have worn out and have to be replaced, this guide is for you. Although replacing a ball joint varies depending on the vehicle’s design, overall, it’s an intermediate job that requires a little experience. The following ball joint installation guide will help you get started.
In this article:
1. Can You Replace Your Car’s Ball Joints Yourself?
2. How To Replace The Ball Joint?
- Jack Up Your Vehicle
- Remove The Wheel
- Remove The Ball Joint From The Knuckle
- Remove The Control Arm (if necessary)
- Remove The Old Ball Joint From Control Arm
- Install New Ball Joint To Control Arm
- Attach The Ball Joint To The Steering Knuckle
- Reinstall The Wheels
- Test Drive Your Vehicle
- Wheel Alignment
3. Should I Replace The Ball Joints Or The Entire Control Arm?
1 Can You Replace Your Car’s Ball Joints Yourself?
Ball joint replacement is not an easy job. However, it’s easier for DIYers and car enthusiasts who have experience changing the suspension and brake components. Usually, most vehicles feature pressed-in or bolted ball joints as a part of the control arm. Pressed-in ball joints require a special hydraulic press, whereas bolted ball joints can be easily replaced using a socket and wrench. You can also choose to replace the complete control arm and ball joint assembly, which is easier.
2 How To Replace The Ball Joint?
If you are not experienced, we highly recommend you consult a qualified mechanic for advice. However, if you wish to replace your ball joints yourself, follow the detailed step-by-step guide below. It is also essential to choose the correct ball joint before installing a new one. Refer to our ultimate ball joint buying guide to ensure the part fits and performs properly. In Canada, ball joint replacement costs typically range from $400 to $800.
Tools Required:
- Lug Wrench
- Torque Wrench
- Socket
- Wrench Set
- Prybar
- Hammer
- Floor Jack or Transmission Jack
- Jack Stands
- Grinding Tools
Jack Up Your Vehicle
First, loosen the lug nuts but do not remove them completely. Secure the wheel by leaving a lug nut on so that the wheel doesn’t fall unexpectedly when you lift the car with a jack or a hydraulic lift. Position the jack according to the owner’s manual’s instructions for changing a tire. Lift the car using the jack, and place the jack stands under the car for stability.
Remove The Wheel
After lifting the vehicle, position yourself in such a way that you can support the weight of the wheel. Unscrew the remaining lug nuts and remove the wheel. It’s a good idea to place your wheels under the car for added safety.
Remove The Ball Joint From The Knuckle
Start by removing the cotter pin located below the castle nut. Loosen the castle nut, which holds the ball joint with the help of an appropriate socket. You may need to use a hammer to shake it free if it’s stuck. Some vehicles have pinch bolts instead of castle nuts, which are easier to remove. To remove the ball joint from the knuckle, you can use a ball joint separator tool or pickle fork. Stick the pickle fork opening below the ball joint and hammer at the back of the pickle fork to pop the ball joint loose.
Remove The Control Arm (if necessary)
Although ball joints can be removed from the control arm without removing the whole assembly, it’s easier if you remove the whole control arm. In some cases, it is a must, as some ball joints may be riveted or pressed into the socket using a hydraulic press. This means you will have to take the control arm to a press nearby, which will remove the old ball joints and install the new ones for you.
Uninstalling a control arm is fairly easy and can be done by removing the castle nut and the ball joint. This will separate the control arm from the steering knuckle. Remove the two other bolts holding the control arm to the frame of the vehicle. Refer to our control arm replacement guide for more.
Remove The Old Ball Joint From Control Arm
Remove the ball joints by losing the nuts holding them to the control arm. Use an appropriate-sized socket or wrench. In some cases, the ball joints can be riveted or press fit. In the case of rivets, you can remove them by 3 following methods.
- Use a drill to directly drill out the rivet joints.
- Use a grinding wheel to cut the rivets.
- Use a hammer and a chisel to break through the rivets.
| Ford F150 (2004-2008) | To remove the upper ball joint, use a 20mm socket to loosen the upper ball joint and a 20mm socket to loosen the lower ball joint. |
| Dodge Ram 1500 (1994-2002) | Use a 21mm socket to loosen the nut holding the ball joint. |
| Dodge Ram 1500 (2009-2018) | Use a 21mm socket to loosen the upper ball joint and the lower ball joint. |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (2007-2015) | Use a 19mm wrench to loosen up the upper ball joint. For the lower control arm, use a 22mm socket. |
| Chevrolet Silverado 2500 (1999-2007) | Use an 18mm socket to loosen the upper ball joints. Then loosen the lower ball joint nut with a 21mm socket. |
| Honda Civic (2003-2005) | Use an 18mm socket to loosen the ball joint nut. |
| Honda Civic (2006-2011) | Use a 19mm socket to loosen the lower ball joint nut, but make sure to remove the cotter pin from the castle nut before loosening it. |
| Toyota Corolla (1995-1999) | Use a 17mm socket to loosen the lower ball joint. |
| Volkswagen Jetta (2006-2010) | Use an 18mm socket to loosen the bolt that connects the ball joint to the knuckle, and then a 16mm socket to loosen the bolts that will separate the ball joint from the control arm. |
| Hyundai Elantra (2011-2016) | Use a 19mm wrench to loosen the lower ball joint. |
| GMC Sierra 1500 (2007-2013) | Use a 19mm socket to loosen the upper ball joint and a 24mm socket to loosen the lower ball joint. |
| Mazda 3 Series (2004-2013) | Use a 14mm socket to loosen the pinch bolt that holds the lower ball joint. |
Install New Ball Joint To Control Arm
You will need a hydraulic press to install ball joints, which are press-fit, and simple sockets and wrenches, if the ball joints are attached to the control arm with nuts and bolts.
Attach The Ball Joint To The Steering Knuckle
Align the ball joint to the steering knuckle and use a new castle nut and cotter pin to secure it firmly. If you’re using old hardware, use a rust remover to remove any rust or deposits. Use a torque wrench to tighten the bolts completely according to the correct torque specifications. Install the cotter pin at the end.
Reinstall The Wheels
Reinstall the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Remove the jack and jack stands and lower the vehicle. Tighten your lug nuts to the specified torque specifications using a torque wrench.
Test Drive Your Vehicle
Finally, take the vehicle out for a short spin and drive it like you usually do. While doing so, listen for strange noises such as clunking, clicking, or squeaking, especially when the vehicle is accelerating, coming to a stop, or making a turn. If you notice no noises or symptoms of a bad ball joint, you have successfully finished the installation.
Wheel Alignment
The last step is to align the wheels of your vehicle. It is important, especially when you have done your wheel alignment when the ball joints were in bad shape. Although it is exactly the same part, there may be minute variations that can throw the alignment off. A wheel alignment is recommended after changing the suspension and steering components. Refer to our DIY wheel alignment guide for more insights and to learn why it’s important to perform wheel alignment periodically.
3 Should I Replace The Ball Joints Or The Entire Control Arm?
In most cases, it is better to replace the entire control arm assembly with a ball joint. Some important reasons why replacing the complete control arm assembly is better than replacing the ball joint are listed below.
- Certain types of ball joints require a special tool to replace them. Pressed-in ball joints, for example, require a hydraulic press, and some ball joints are riveted, which are difficult to remove. However, there is no need for a special tool for replacing a control arm and is comparatively easy.
A bad ball joint can induce vibrations and disturb the suspension geometry. This can cause the control arm bushings to also wear out along with the ball joints. So if you are replacing the ball joints, you should check your control arm bushings and get them replaced. Read more about rubber vs. polyurethane bushings. You can opt for a new control arm with a ball joint assembly that features ball joints, a control arm, and bushings.
