I have a 1996 Convertible XJS.

I recently replaced the upper bushing, and both upper and lower ball joints.

I did something wrong since I found that I tore the boot on the lower ball joint.

I have a replacement part. What is the best way to go in an replace that lower ball joint?

Do I have to take the caliper off?

I was hoping to place the car on jackstands, and use the hydraulic jack to compress the spring while replacing the lower ball joint.

The manual recommends removing the inner bolt and loosening the outer bolt on the upper ball joint... which I will do, I just want to know if I have the right idea.

Thanks.

 

Since you have recently done this, things should basically fall apart, coz you put "never seize" on the bits, did you not???.

Support the spring pan on a jack stand, coz if the jack you use to hold it up bleeds down the spring will seperate from the car.

Turn the wheel front side facing outward, and undo the balljoint nut, leaving it attached by a few threads, Now undo the 4 bolts from below, and crack the taper, and the joint "should" fall out the bottom.

Juggling the vertical arm around will be required, and since this has the brakes etc attached is HEAVY, so be careful. A second person helps a lot here, but if that is a no-no, removing the caliper will lighten the thing considerable. Those 4 piston calipers weigh about 9kg each.

 

Grant,

I'm so happy to read this because I absolutely did put "anti-seize" on the threads!!! I knew one day I would be back!!!

Sounds like you do believe I will be able to take out that bottom ball joint without taking that caliper off! That is encouraging. I'm ready to take it off if I have to, but I'd rather save me the time and effort.

This time I will lube up that boot with some silicone lube so there's less of a chance to pinch the boot.

Thanks.

 

It went rather smoothly following the book. I did not have
to remove the caliper!

You will have to turn the wheel over completely, and you
will have to follow my original post. Remove the inside
bolt and loosen, but do not remove the outer bolt at the
Upper Ball Joint. That gets you enough play to just barely
squeeze in a 22mm socket to get the top nut off.

I placed a jack under the lower control arm to work the
spring coil and replacing the lower ball joint went rather
smoothly.

Thanks for the help!

 

Good job done.