[Madeline Michele]

Hello Every Bloody

Looks like I need to change the ball joints on my 82zx 2+2.
I just finished changing all the injectors and all went well.
Now it’s ball joint time.
I looked in my Haynes and found little info.
**** I don’t even know what or where a ball joint is, but I must and will change them.
I just need some advice then I’ll change them and become a ball joint expert and pass it on. I understand jacking it up using jack stands and taking the front wheels off.
I’m sure it’s some ballish looking joint if I’m correct…sheeesh.
I’m like the Little Red Hen, I’ll do it myself, I’ll do it myself.
Nobody pick on me because I am going to do it.
So there!

Madeline Michele
South BallJoint Junction, Florida

 

[Z-quest RLS30 1/2]

Ball Joint? Why it's located at the bottom of your front struts, between your knuckle arm and transverse link. That amazing little device is what allows your wheels to turn and still stay attached to your car! Keep it greased though.

I've read your previous posts - I think you could do it with no problem! And just what kind of bread are you baking?

good luck, RLS30

 

[Randy Nix]

The ball joint is at the bottom of the front suspension. It will be the very bottom thing behind the brake rotor. They can be changed by a casual mechanic. They have I think three main bolts holding them to the rest of the suspension. The bottom grease fitting goes into them.

Randy Nix
TN

 

[jeffp]

Hi Madeline, you can get them off the car easy, but you may find you need a press to remove them from the part they are attached to. I replaced mine and boy the thing was stuck to the mounting piece. I had to put it in a press and what a pop sound it made when it came loose.

 

[Texas280]

You might get ztheraphy.com's video on suspensions. It's mainly about changing out the stock bushing for urethane, but you get a real understanding of how all the parts fit together, including the ball joints. A lot of info for $15.00

 

[Madeline Michele]

Sounds good so far.
A friend told me I would need to bring it in for an alignment when I’m done.
Is this true?

Madeline
Hollywood, FL

 

[WillieBoy240Z]

Yes, an alignment would be smart. By the way, who told you that you needed new ball joints? Unless they got down there and monkeyed around, you might just have other parts or broken/missing bushings.

Just a thought....

 

[Madeline Michele]

Some mechanic dude said this.
I will look it over and report anything odd.

Meeeeeeeeee
Hollywood, Fl

 

[Lee Smith]

A ball joint is a ball&socket joint. There are 2 on each side of the car. 1 like Z-quest said & 1 on the end of the tierod to turn wheels.
Which one are you talking about? The one on the end of tierod is the most commen to replace.
There should be 0 play in both. To check #1 rase wheel off ground, try to move bottum of wheel in & out, watching for play in joint. To check tierod end try to turn wheel to left & right, watching for play. If tierod joint, come back & I will go into detail on removing.

Lee

 

[Madeline Michele]

Thanks alot folks looks like I have some work to do.

Madeline

 

[schmaydee]

w/the wheel off the ground. (and the car on jacks)....grab the tire @12 o'clock and 6 o'clock.... and jerk it back and forth (between 6 o'clock & 12 o'clock) as hard as you can (@ 3 o'clock & 9 o'clock wont work)...if it has any play @ all your ball-joints are screwed.....(if its tight they are ok)
...... i just changed mine on my 82 zxt.....real easy.....(if your's is like mine)
you do need a pickle fork...though...
just raise the front end till the tire is off the ground and remove the tire...
........break loose the 2 bolts that hold on the steering knuckle (dont take 'em out) ..to the strut...
...take off the tie rod end from the steering knuckle..(w/the pickle fork or tie rod end remover)
...then remove the 2 bolts that holds the steering knuckle to the strut (whack it w/a rubber hammer it'll pop right off)..
......remove the nut that holds the balljoint to the steering knuckle (you may have to "wedge" the pickle fork in there to keep the ball joint stud from turning...)...
.....then put the 2 bolts back in (that holds the knuckle to the strut) just to hold it so you can
.....separate the ball joint from the knuckle from the ball joint (w/the pickle fork)
...then take those 2 bolts back out of the steering knuckle....
...take out the 3 bolts that hold the ball joint on...
.....voila!....
..you really should get aligned after that..
..
(now would be a good time to replace struts if you need 'em ....and (especially) a bunch of rubber pieces as well (especially the ones for the tension rods and stabilizer arm).....
.....i'd use anti-seize when i put 'em back on......and "torque 'em right".......
s.neihoff.....