As I need to replace my upper shock mounts and one of my lower ball joints has a torn boot I've decided to go out and replace everything on both sides. Shocks, control arm bushings, ball joints upper and lower, tie rod ends. This should make the car ride and handle like new.

My concern is the ball joints, do I need to take these to a machine shop to remove and install or is this something I can DIY?

 

Well I searched and read everything I could fine for the last hour, not sure I want to try the ball joints on my own.

 

Removal of the wishbone is a DIY job but a workshop press is then needed to take out an old ball joint and press in a new one.

Graham

 

I replaced the upper ball joints on mine - you can rent a press from Advance Auto or Autozone but you need to make sure you have vise or something to hold the press while using. I did not and it took a good bit of time and effort to complete the removal/install

 

I replaced the upper ball joints myself with a Press and it wasn't too bad, but the lower is more difficult because of the angle it is pressed in. To save myself a ton of trouble, I just took the lower control arms to a local machine shop and had the old ball joints pressed out and new ones pressed in. They charged me $50 which was money well spent.

 

Actually the correct way to replace the lower ball joints is EASY. You just buy new lower arms WITH the bushes and joints from JAGUAR.

The aftermarket parts are less expensive but require a press (as stated).

bob gauff

 

Thanks for the replies, either the press or new lowers complete is what I figured.

 

Uppers and lowers can be done by yourself without a press, but it is not easy.


See how here https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...e2/#post696240

 

RaceDiagnostics, where did you get the C clamp tool. Any part number? Looks interesting. My cars no where near in as bad a condition so this might just be the ticket.

 

I found it on ebay or amazon, here is another one

 

Well RaceD I just finished reading your full adventure, man my hat is off to you. What a rusted mess you had to deal with. I feel like a sissy for even asking about my problem now. Found the answer to my question about the C clamp in your thread, thanks. Very nice trip after the repairs, I hope one day to tour Europe, living on Maui my long distance driving is very limited and I long for a good road trip.

 

If you chose to do job yourself, do yourself a favor and put new parts in the freezer for awhile, that will shrink that part. Clean the bore where the new part goes real good with emory cloth or sandpaper.Before you assemble take a heat gun or even hair dryer and let it warm the area where the part goes, that will expand that area. Doing this should make it easier to press parts together. A little bit of lubricant on the part before you press it in doesn't hurt either, try not to stop in the middle of pressing as that will allow the parts to equalize taking away any advantage you had.

 

Nonsense all posts above.

I replaced my lower ball jpoints myself with a simple balljoint press.

Dead simple, but you have to be creative

 

Well now Jochem00, is that a tie rod end you are using as an "adapter"? Nice... So I just need to find something to fit inside the recessed area where the outside angle is which negates the difficult issue of the angle. Makes perfect sense......so will the ball joint seat fully the way you have it setup in the photo?

Being the one asking the question I do appreciate everyone's input and we all have different experience and ability. That's the reason I asked the question, to learn and gain information so I can make a decision based on my ability and experience. So, I would not go so far as to call everyone else's own experience as nonsense. I fully appreciate everyone's input good or bad, at least those replying are involved in my question and helping as best they can.

 

Well just finished inspecting both sides and the passenger side lower BJ is trashed, at least it looks like it. boot is almost gone and inside looks bad. So, if I replace one might as well Replace all four. My game plan is to tear everything down and give replacing them a shot myself. If I run into trouble I'll take the parts to a shop to have the BJ's pressed out and in.

 

Hey Jochem00 did you bother to read the the posts, because it appears to me that everyone is saying it can be done with a ball joint press. I did all ball joints and control arm bushings with just a ball joint press. So whats your point?

 

yes, scrolled through everything, but there are also posts regarding the upper mount done with a press.
Nobody was saying the the lower one is easy to do at home with the C clamp. Well I show on the photo that it can be done.
I didn't take the photo when it was fully in, as I was happy and in a rush to get the arm back on the car and forgot to take a photo.

 

???

He does not seem to be disagreeing with using a ball joint press, indeed he is illustrating a trick that makes it easier with a ball joint press.

 

Jochem00, why is my post above nonsense?

 

Because you wrote "but it is not easy"

It is easy, but with the c clamp you have find a creative solution to pull against the surface under an angle