Changing Ball Joints?

cschulzy · 02-05-2004, 07:32 AM

Hi Guys. I need to change the ball joints in my 89 GT. I bought the tool and ball joints from Autozone when I was in Florida in Dec, what else will I need to do the job?. Do I need to remove the brake rotor? Disconnect the shock strut? I know I will need to disconnect the tie rod end. What are the tricks and is it an easy job or a *****. Any help would be great.

Thanks

Chris
************************************************** **89 GT 5 Speed

QuantumMotorsports · 02-05-2004, 02:47 PM

It will be a pain in the ***. You basically have to seperate the ball joint from the spindle and then take the A-arm off probably to press out the old balljoints and press in the new ones. Spring will have to come out to do this, along with sway bar end links, etc.

cschulzy · 02-06-2004, 12:19 AM

Thanks for your reply QuantunMotorsports. Looks like I'm in for some fun, It needs doing badly so here it goes.

Cheers

Chris

RoadWarrior · 02-06-2004, 02:17 PM

I would just look into replacing the whole a arm. Some places you can pick it up and its not a huge amount more. But if you do it this way id spend a few extra $$ and make sure you get a new one thats really good.

QuantumMotorsports · 02-06-2004, 04:02 PM

You can get a set of motorsport A arms with new ball joints and bushings for like $100. It was a no brainer for me man. Check on jegs and summit. If not there, post here if you're interested and i'll find the place i got mine.

QuantumMotorsports · 02-06-2004, 04:06 PM

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...t=FMS%2DM3075A

check that out, it's about $200, maybe i was mistaken, you might be able to find it cheaper somewhere else though.

cschulzy · 02-06-2004, 09:53 PM

Thanks for your reply. I will wait until next weekend to start the job. We had some good sand storms here so I will leave it until next week. I would have done the A Arms but read some horror stories on seized A arm bolts, I don't have the tools here to tackle that if it happens. Shipping to Saudi was going to be $300+ which is also a downer and another reason I just picked up some Ball joints from Autozone. Will I need to remove the spindle or can I press the balljoint out with the spindle attached?
Thanks for your time

Chris

RoadWarrior · 02-07-2004, 11:51 AM

Id still say just do the whole a arm. The best thing to do is just soak it with a good penetrating oil a every day for like 2-3 days before you go to do it. And just out of curiousity, you have a press but you dont have the tools to work around a seized bolt?

cschulzy · 02-07-2004, 09:58 PM

I picked up the G clamp press tool from autozone when I was in Florida in Dec. That made for a interesting trip back through security at the airports, not to mention the arabic stamps in my passport!!!! I'll have a go with this G clamp, if its crap I'll order some A-arms and change the whole thing. Being in the middle of nowhere makes it hard to get all sorts of crap. I tried to get A arms in Australia when I was home on holiday from mustang importers but I didn't have enough time. Thanks for your reply.

Cheers

Chris

02-05-2004, 07:32 AM	#1
cschulzy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Saudi Arabia Posts: 27	Changing Ball Joints? Hi Guys. I need to change the ball joints in my 89 GT. I bought the tool and ball joints from Autozone when I was in Florida in Dec, what else will I need to do the job?. Do I need to remove the brake rotor? Disconnect the shock strut? I know I will need to disconnect the tie rod end. What are the tricks and is it an easy job or a ***. Any help would be great. Thanks Chris ********************************************** 89 GT 5 Speed

02-05-2004, 02:47 PM	#2
QuantumMotorsports Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Norman, Oklahoma, USA Posts: 597	It will be a pain in the ***. You basically have to seperate the ball joint from the spindle and then take the A-arm off probably to press out the old balljoints and press in the new ones. Spring will have to come out to do this, along with sway bar end links, etc. __________________ Michael Black QuantumMotorsports Norman, OK 1984 LX Hatch 306 w/ TRW forged flat toppers, Comp Cams Magnum 292H, GT40P heads w/ 3 angle valve job, .550 lift springs, Angus Racing Roller Rockers, Weiand Stealth Intake, Holley 4150 650cfm carb, MAC 1 5/8 Long Tubes, Single Chamber Flowmasters, 91' T5 w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, Turbo Coupe 8.8 Rear w/ 3.55 gears, QA1 Motorsports tubular K member, no interior except steering wheel and seat. Coming soon: 6 or 8 point cage, Fuel Cell, Weld Draglites

02-06-2004, 02:17 PM	#4
RoadWarrior Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Edmonton,Alberta,Canada Posts: 317	I would just look into replacing the whole a arm. Some places you can pick it up and its not a huge amount more. But if you do it this way id spend a few extra $$ and make sure you get a new one thats really good. __________________ Fast Company

02-06-2004, 04:02 PM	#5
QuantumMotorsports Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Norman, Oklahoma, USA Posts: 597	You can get a set of motorsport A arms with new ball joints and bushings for like $100. It was a no brainer for me man. Check on jegs and summit. If not there, post here if you're interested and i'll find the place i got mine. __________________ Michael Black QuantumMotorsports Norman, OK 1984 LX Hatch 306 w/ TRW forged flat toppers, Comp Cams Magnum 292H, GT40P heads w/ 3 angle valve job, .550 lift springs, Angus Racing Roller Rockers, Weiand Stealth Intake, Holley 4150 650cfm carb, MAC 1 5/8 Long Tubes, Single Chamber Flowmasters, 91' T5 w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, Turbo Coupe 8.8 Rear w/ 3.55 gears, QA1 Motorsports tubular K member, no interior except steering wheel and seat. Coming soon: 6 or 8 point cage, Fuel Cell, Weld Draglites

02-06-2004, 04:06 PM	#6
QuantumMotorsports Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Norman, Oklahoma, USA Posts: 597	http://store.summitracing.com/partde...t=FMS%2DM3075A check that out, it's about $200, maybe i was mistaken, you might be able to find it cheaper somewhere else though. __________________ Michael Black QuantumMotorsports Norman, OK 1984 LX Hatch 306 w/ TRW forged flat toppers, Comp Cams Magnum 292H, GT40P heads w/ 3 angle valve job, .550 lift springs, Angus Racing Roller Rockers, Weiand Stealth Intake, Holley 4150 650cfm carb, MAC 1 5/8 Long Tubes, Single Chamber Flowmasters, 91' T5 w/ Pro 5.0 shifter, Turbo Coupe 8.8 Rear w/ 3.55 gears, QA1 Motorsports tubular K member, no interior except steering wheel and seat. Coming soon: 6 or 8 point cage, Fuel Cell, Weld Draglites

02-06-2004, 12:19 AM	#3
cschulzy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Saudi Arabia Posts: 27	Thanks for your reply QuantunMotorsports. Looks like I'm in for some fun, It needs doing badly so here it goes. Cheers Chris

02-06-2004, 09:53 PM	#7
cschulzy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Saudi Arabia Posts: 27	Thanks for your reply. I will wait until next weekend to start the job. We had some good sand storms here so I will leave it until next week. I would have done the A Arms but read some horror stories on seized A arm bolts, I don't have the tools here to tackle that if it happens. Shipping to Saudi was going to be $300+ which is also a downer and another reason I just picked up some Ball joints from Autozone. Will I need to remove the spindle or can I press the balljoint out with the spindle attached? Thanks for your time Chris

02-07-2004, 11:51 AM	#8
RoadWarrior Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Edmonton,Alberta,Canada Posts: 317	Id still say just do the whole a arm. The best thing to do is just soak it with a good penetrating oil a every day for like 2-3 days before you go to do it. And just out of curiousity, you have a press but you dont have the tools to work around a seized bolt? __________________ Fast Company

02-07-2004, 09:58 PM	#9
cschulzy Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Saudi Arabia Posts: 27	I picked up the G clamp press tool from autozone when I was in Florida in Dec. That made for a interesting trip back through security at the airports, not to mention the arabic stamps in my passport!!!! I'll have a go with this G clamp, if its crap I'll order some A-arms and change the whole thing. Being in the middle of nowhere makes it hard to get all sorts of crap. I tried to get A arms in Australia when I was home on holiday from mustang importers but I didn't have enough time. Thanks for your reply. Cheers Chris

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