ball joints help asap.

warwickben · 03-10-2008, 04:04 PM

hey guys i need some help. i have to replace my ball joints on my 1980. i got new ones shiped to me and i got them today. i know your not spose to reuse the lower control arms. but you are not able to buy new one. on th evil site every one said just add a few tack weld's which will not be a problem for me. how can i get the old ball joints out. i dont think i can do it my self. but what type of place can i go and have them pressed out and the new ones pressed it?

Kentetsu · 03-10-2008, 08:58 PM

I used Autozone's loan a tool program, and borrowed their ball joint press set. Work carefully, making sure everything is lined up properly, and you might be able to do it. I had no problem doing mine, and they were tight enough that I didn't have to add welds or anything. Just make sure that you don't deform the arms when pressing the joints...

warwickben · 03-11-2008, 03:54 AM

how does that tool loan program work.

blwnrtr93 · 03-11-2008, 12:01 PM

for the tool loan program essentially what you are doing is buying whatever tool you are borrowing for a more expensive amount than it usually sells for and then when you return it they return your deposit. it works pretty well. i used it to borrow a tap and die set to fix some fouled up thread on my exhaust studs.

warwickben · 03-11-2008, 02:57 PM

i found this a ball joint press from harbor freight for like 30 bucks. i could just sell it on ebay when done.

Kentetsu · 03-11-2008, 06:34 PM

How is that easier than the loan a tool program?

85rx-7gsl-se · 03-11-2008, 06:38 PM

Not sure....Plus harbor freight stuff is usually of questionable quality.

warwickben · 03-11-2008, 07:19 PM

true. wounder if i can do it in the store and not pay any thing lol . iam friendly with a few guy's at the store down the street from my house.

also guys can you look at my e-fan thread and tell me what you think.

blwnrtr93 · 03-12-2008, 02:19 AM

it can't hurt to try going to the store with the lower control arms and pressing the ball joints out while at the store. i didn't even know the guy at my local store and he asked if i wanted to use the tools in the store.

$100T2 · 03-13-2008, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwickben

hey guys i need some help. i have to replace my ball joints on my 1980. i got new ones shiped to me and i got them today. i know your not spose to reuse the lower control arms. but you are not able to buy new one. on th evil site every one said just add a few tack weld's which will not be a problem for me. how can i get the old ball joints out. i dont think i can do it my self. but what type of place can i go and have them pressed out and the new ones pressed it?

I've never heard "don't re-use the control arms" before. Just press them out. You go to autozone and get the front end service kit... They charge you (I think about) $120 for it, which they return when you bring it back. Just mix and match the pieces until you find the right combination to get them out... I did it on mine, it's not hard at all.

warwickben · 03-13-2008, 09:59 AM

in the fsm it says not to reuse the lower control arms . since you not able to buy oem one any more just the racing beat ones. i was told to just put 3 1cm welds on them to make sure they dont come out. i figure by the time iam ready to replace my ball joints again ill drop the money and get the racing beat control arms.

Scott1982RX7 · 04-15-2008, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warwickben

in the fsm it says not to reuse the lower control arms . since you not able to buy oem one any more just the racing beat ones. i was told to just put 3 1cm welds on them to make sure they dont come out. i figure by the time iam ready to replace my ball joints again ill drop the money and get the racing beat control arms.

I can tell you from personal experience that the ball joints can come out when pressed back into the original arms. That being said, a little tack weld would be all that is needed to correct the problem! And you can buy new arms - I did. If I had it to do over, I would have bought the rack and pinion system that includes new arms

Scott

bwaits · 04-16-2008, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by $100T2

I've never heard "don't re-use the control arms" before.

Its a known deal.

The problem is that the control arm material is thin in this area. The operation of pressing them in from the factory expanded a smaller hole to snug them in. The operation of pressing the old joints out usually distorts the metal.

New ball joints do not get enough "bite" to stay in since the hole is already expanded from the factory and distorted from you pressing them out.

Some aftermarket ball joints have a groove machined into them for a c clip to keep them in. If yours do not you will want a few small tack welds. Mig is the best since you can get in and get out without heating up the ball joint to bad. Tig concentrates to much heat and can burn up all the grease.

-billy

impulsive-RX7 · 04-16-2008, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwaits

Some aftermarket ball joints have a groove machined into them for a c clip to keep them in.

For everyone's information, those with the C-clip were the Moog brand and are no longer in production.

I got some of the last ones from rock auto.

fire85gslse · 04-29-2008, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwaits

Its a known deal.

The problem is that the control arm material is thin in this area. The operation of pressing them in from the factory expanded a smaller hole to snug them in. The operation of pressing the old joints out usually distorts the metal.

New ball joints do not get enough "bite" to stay in since the hole is already expanded from the factory and distorted from you pressing them out.

Some aftermarket ball joints have a groove machined into them for a c clip to keep them in. If yours do not you will want a few small tack welds. Mig is the best since you can get in and get out without heating up the ball joint to bad. Tig concentrates to much heat and can burn up all the grease.

-billy

Listen to this ^^^ guy billy, he know exactly what he is talking about.
He is right and I can tell you from first hand experience that even if the ball joint is tight it will come out one day so add two -three tacks to be safe.
I ended up buying new from mazda but will be tacking my old ones.

also look around. I think I saw some adjustable ones for sale somewhere else.

03-10-2008, 04:04 PM	#1
warwickben sa rat rod Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: tewksbury ma Posts: 408 Rep Power: 18	ball joints help asap. hey guys i need some help. i have to replace my ball joints on my 1980. i got new ones shiped to me and i got them today. i know your not spose to reuse the lower control arms. but you are not able to buy new one. on th evil site every one said just add a few tack weld's which will not be a problem for me. how can i get the old ball joints out. i dont think i can do it my self. but what type of place can i go and have them pressed out and the new ones pressed it?

03-11-2008, 12:01 PM	#4
blwnrtr93 Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: AL Posts: 379 Rep Power: 18	for the tool loan program essentially what you are doing is buying whatever tool you are borrowing for a more expensive amount than it usually sells for and then when you return it they return your deposit. it works pretty well. i used it to borrow a tap and die set to fix some fouled up thread on my exhaust studs. __________________ 1993 BB RX-7 2005 Black Mazda 6i 1991 Primer Celica GT 1968 Camo Chevy P/U Garfinkle's Airpump Idler Pulley: Keep the stock contact patch on your water pump w/o running Airpump!

03-12-2008, 02:19 AM	#9
blwnrtr93 Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: AL Posts: 379 Rep Power: 18	it can't hurt to try going to the store with the lower control arms and pressing the ball joints out while at the store. i didn't even know the guy at my local store and he asked if i wanted to use the tools in the store. __________________ 1993 BB RX-7 2005 Black Mazda 6i 1991 Primer Celica GT 1968 Camo Chevy P/U Garfinkle's Airpump Idler Pulley: Keep the stock contact patch on your water pump w/o running Airpump!

03-10-2008, 08:58 PM	#2
Kentetsu RCC Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts: 530 Rep Power: 18	I used Autozone's loan a tool program, and borrowed their ball joint press set. Work carefully, making sure everything is lined up properly, and you might be able to do it. I had no problem doing mine, and they were tight enough that I didn't have to add welds or anything. Just make sure that you don't deform the arms when pressing the joints...

03-11-2008, 03:54 AM	#3
warwickben sa rat rod Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: tewksbury ma Posts: 408 Rep Power: 18	how does that tool loan program work.

03-11-2008, 02:57 PM	#5
warwickben sa rat rod Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: tewksbury ma Posts: 408 Rep Power: 18	i found this a ball joint press from harbor freight for like 30 bucks. i could just sell it on ebay when done.

03-11-2008, 06:34 PM	#6
Kentetsu RCC Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts: 530 Rep Power: 18	How is that easier than the loan a tool program?

03-11-2008, 07:19 PM	#8
warwickben sa rat rod Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: tewksbury ma Posts: 408 Rep Power: 18	true. wounder if i can do it in the store and not pay any thing lol . iam friendly with a few guy's at the store down the street from my house. also guys can you look at my e-fan thread and tell me what you think.

03-13-2008, 09:59 AM	#11
warwickben sa rat rod Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: tewksbury ma Posts: 408 Rep Power: 18	in the fsm it says not to reuse the lower control arms . since you not able to buy oem one any more just the racing beat ones. i was told to just put 3 1cm welds on them to make sure they dont come out. i figure by the time iam ready to replace my ball joints again ill drop the money and get the racing beat control arms.