Ball Joints - does this look right to you?

[bigjones]

Seems to me that the "ball" should not be so exposed. Was there a boot there once upon a time?

Here it is again, cleaned up. Other side of the car is the same. Is this safe to drive?

Cheers,
Adrian

 

[tony barnhill]

Those ball joints are gone!! You need new ones....

 

[bigjones]

Tony,
Thanks for the warning.
I'll get some new ones installed.
Cheers,
Adrian

 

[bigjones]

I guess this would also be a good time to also replace the steering rack boots. Anything else while I'm at it?
Cheers,
Adrian

 

[jhorton3]

Yep, those are a goner. The unfortunate thing for these is there's no lubrication point. Loosen up the nut behind the tie rod, then undo the nut from the tie rod to the control arm. If the hammer technique doesn't work separating the tie rod from the control arm, a 2 and 3 2 ton jaw puller will. You can source them from local parts houses for under $30.

 

[jhorton3]

Check your other suspension components for play. Trunion rubber bushings in the pictures looks to be worn out.

 

[tony barnhill]

I'm betting you're ready for a complete front end rebuild, turning rotors, pads, etc.

Like Jim said, now's a good time to slide under there & inspect everything.

 

[jlaird]

I would also say a complete rebuild/replace of the rubber stuff, at least, is in order.

 

[HAN8L1965]

FYI, the tie rods from VB come with the boot on so no need to order.

Mark

 

[tony barnhill]

Mark - you can order boots separate but new tie rods come with boots installed.

 

[bigjones]

Hi folks,
Thanks for all the info.
As far as the trunnion rubber bushings, is it a simple matter of unscrewing the castellated nut from the upper fulcrum pin, tapping the pin out and replacing the 2 bushes?
(Jim was right, the rubber bushing on the other side looks even worse.)
Cheers,
Adrian

 

[jhorton3]

Adrian-I just went through a major suspension rebuild on mine. If the trunion bushings look that bad you need to check the A arm bushings where they connect to the frame. If they look as bad as the trunions...or worse then it's time to replace those too, and more than likely in need of a major suspension refurbish.

To just replace the trunion bushings requires putting a floor jack under the A arm to keep compression on. Remember, you've got the coil spring there pushing the other way. The castellated nut comes off as well as the pinch bolt at the end of the shock arm. Pick up a can of PB Blaster and start soaking all the nuts and bolts.

 

[Dadandson]

I also went through and installed a major suspension kit. The deeper I delved into the front end the worse it looked. You won't regret it.