Hi all,

Currently I can notice some clunking form my right front wheel when driving over bumps. I have already replaced my sway bar drop links but noise persists. I am thinking about the tie rod ends and also upper control arms to be replaced. May I know if there is any special ball joint separator is needed if I need to separate the ball joints on our car? Or normal scissor type ball joint separator will do? Which size will be a good fit?
​​​​​​Thanks in advance for your advices!

 

My old splitter wasn't big enough for the lower ball joint. I bought this one on ebay. It was a perfect fit.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F 142146541517

 

Hi Nalahung,

If you will please tell us the year, model and engine of your Jaguar, we will be able to give you more accurate replies.

Cheers,

Don

 

Hi,

Sorry that I thought my car details have been included in my signature. The car I am fixing is my 05 XJ8 LWB 4.2.
Thanks.
Alan

 

Hi,

Sorry that I thought my car details have been included in my signature. The car I am fixing is my 05 XJ8 LWB 4.2.
Thanks.
Alan

 

Hi Alan,

The upper ball joints are part of the upper control arms, and as far as I know the ball joints are not available separately so you must replace the entire control arm. Lemfoerder is the OEM, but aftermarket parts are available at lower cost and the Lincoln LS and Ford Thunderbird used the same upper control arms.

The lower ball joints are pressed into the vertical link/steering knuckle and I don't know if a standard ball joint separator could be used unless it was the C-clamp type and larger than usual. A hydraulic press would make the job easier, though still awkward.

From your description, I would suspect your knocking sounds are coming from either the air spring/shock absorber lower bushings, which are pressed into the lower control arm and are replaceable, or the upper control arms, or both. I would suggest doing those first and only addressing the lower ball joints if replacing the lower shock bushings and upper control arms doesn't resolve the noise.

Cheers,

Don

 

Thank you for your advice! I have just ordered 2 Meyle 016 010 6313 bushing and hopefully replacing them will fix the clunking noise issue on my car.
I have purchased all the tie rods and upper arms but not the bushings, and will keep them as spare.

 

I replace the upper and lower ball joints on my 2004 last fall. You can use a ball joint press on the lower one, but it needs to be one the big ball joint service kits made for trucks. I borrowed this set from the local Advance Auto Parts: https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...8617/9150043-P

 

Today I have successfully fixed the clunking noise. You know what? It is the right tie rod end lock nut bcame loose! I have already purchased all bushes and arms for the front and luckily I jacked up my car tonight to check the links and found the culprit.

Saved a lot of time and money as I don't need to go to visit my mechanic.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!
P.S. I have got a new ball joint separator with an opening of 30mm.