Subaru - Ball Joint Replacement
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Date: 2020-08-05
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Comments and reviews: 10
David
For the record: I attempted to remove the ball joint with the steering knuckle removed from the car. By only heating the pinch bolt, the ball joint grease exploded, with the spindle becoming a projectile, and breaking my hand. It was as if someone had fired a gun. Because the ball joint sits in a blind hole in the knuckle casting, it is effectively a small cannon, if it ignites. It happens infrequently, s observed by searching Subaru forums, but does happen. I would never again use heat to free up a seized Subaru pinch bolt. I would drill out the bolt, or buy a replacement from Arizona where there is no rust. That is way better than being covered in blood, and being driven to E. R.
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For the record: I attempted to remove the ball joint with the steering knuckle removed from the car. By only heating the pinch bolt, the ball joint grease exploded, with the spindle becoming a projectile, and breaking my hand. It was as if someone had fired a gun. Because the ball joint sits in a blind hole in the knuckle casting, it is effectively a small cannon, if it ignites. It happens infrequently, s observed by searching Subaru forums, but does happen. I would never again use heat to free up a seized Subaru pinch bolt. I would drill out the bolt, or buy a replacement from Arizona where there is no rust. That is way better than being covered in blood, and being driven to E. R.
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Mark
Why didnt you do both sides? Yeah I always do both sides, anyone with a basic knowledge of physics will tell you that with a new one on one side only it puts more pressure on opposite older side, thus multiplying wear on old side. Then you get customer back in 6 months later with blown older side going, why didnt you see that one was going also? You have all the necessary tools out and selected, just save yourself the reputation and hassle and do both right away. But hey that is only 40+ years experience talking, what do I know. Commence the bashing in one, two, three.
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Why didnt you do both sides? Yeah I always do both sides, anyone with a basic knowledge of physics will tell you that with a new one on one side only it puts more pressure on opposite older side, thus multiplying wear on old side. Then you get customer back in 6 months later with blown older side going, why didnt you see that one was going also? You have all the necessary tools out and selected, just save yourself the reputation and hassle and do both right away. But hey that is only 40+ years experience talking, what do I know. Commence the bashing in one, two, three.
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autos
Eric O, just wanted to say thank you for this vid. I did a Suby lower ball joint and wheel bearing and followed your lead to a T. I am a proud owner of my own Big Nasty and the job went off without a hitch. That pinch bolt was no match for a lil heat and rattle. Thank you for all your efforts on YT, they do not EVER go unnoticed. RB from Zion Drive Auto in Pittsburgh!
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Eric O, just wanted to say thank you for this vid. I did a Suby lower ball joint and wheel bearing and followed your lead to a T. I am a proud owner of my own Big Nasty and the job went off without a hitch. That pinch bolt was no match for a lil heat and rattle. Thank you for all your efforts on YT, they do not EVER go unnoticed. RB from Zion Drive Auto in Pittsburgh!
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Shlomi
Mix 1/2 acetone 1/2 transmission fluid and shake well. Acetone eats rust for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And transmission fluid is a lubricant made to travel in small nooks & crannies. Tap around the area to shock it loose and watch that bolt come free like butter. Forget WD-40 or Blaster. Acetone and Transmission fluid in a squirt bottle is the best penetrant.
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Mix 1/2 acetone 1/2 transmission fluid and shake well. Acetone eats rust for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And transmission fluid is a lubricant made to travel in small nooks & crannies. Tap around the area to shock it loose and watch that bolt come free like butter. Forget WD-40 or Blaster. Acetone and Transmission fluid in a squirt bottle is the best penetrant.
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Mustang
Literally just did the ball joints and inner and outer tie rods on my 2000 Legacy this weekend I didn't have any trouble out of the pass side but the driver side gave a little fit I didn't use heat but I did hit both sides with a hammer to shock the metal worked for me i was a little worried but it did work
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Literally just did the ball joints and inner and outer tie rods on my 2000 Legacy this weekend I didn't have any trouble out of the pass side but the driver side gave a little fit I didn't use heat but I did hit both sides with a hammer to shock the metal worked for me i was a little worried but it did work
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Houssam
Question.
What if you weld the stud to the joint base so they'd become one unit and then use a slide hammer to remove them? That way you may guarantee both would come out attached.
I'm just asking, not suggesting. Could it work?
Thank you for all your great educational videos!
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Question.
What if you weld the stud to the joint base so they'd become one unit and then use a slide hammer to remove them? That way you may guarantee both would come out attached.
I'm just asking, not suggesting. Could it work?
Thank you for all your great educational videos!
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PastBlast
Great to find this one! Very informative! Thanks for taking us along. So nice to have a hoist. I always try to imagine me doing what you do laying on my back with the vehicle on jack stands. Apparently I like to take chances too!
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Great to find this one! Very informative! Thanks for taking us along. So nice to have a hoist. I always try to imagine me doing what you do laying on my back with the vehicle on jack stands. Apparently I like to take chances too!
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VBshredder
Just stopped by wondering How do i get the ball joints back in the sockets when i put this all back together with the entire front suspension of a forester apart in my garage. Thanks, perfectly illustrated, looks easy actually.
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Just stopped by wondering How do i get the ball joints back in the sockets when i put this all back together with the entire front suspension of a forester apart in my garage. Thanks, perfectly illustrated, looks easy actually.
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John
Eric, I have a question, watched all 5 parts of the head gasket, timing belt, etc, great video's. Watched several others too. Question, have you did a video for changing the 02 Subaru Legacy rear trailing arm front bushing?
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Eric, I have a question, watched all 5 parts of the head gasket, timing belt, etc, great video's. Watched several others too. Question, have you did a video for changing the 02 Subaru Legacy rear trailing arm front bushing?
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Dave
CTA Tools makes a ball joint removal tool specifically for Subaru's and it's a game changer. I've spent entire weekends trying to get ball joints out of an Impreza, and it turns it into a 5 minute affair
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CTA Tools makes a ball joint removal tool specifically for Subaru's and it's a game changer. I've spent entire weekends trying to get ball joints out of an Impreza, and it turns it into a 5 minute affair
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