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NCT fail - front suspension ball joints

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  • 25-09-2010 6:30pm
    #1
    30H!3
    Closed Accounts Posts: 110 ✭✭


    Hi all,

    My girlfriends car failed the NCT on this, ball joints on the front passenger side. I wasn't talking to the NCT guy for long but I presume this means I have to replace the entire lower control arm , and not the ball joint on the track rod ends. Any help greatly appreciated, thanks


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    #2
    Avns1s
    Registered Users Posts: 3,422 ✭✭✭Avns1s


    It would help to know what car you're talking about.


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    #3
    greglo23
    Registered Users Posts: 1,028 ✭✭✭greglo23


    make and model of car is needed before i could give a definitive answer.


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    #4
    30H!3
    Closed Accounts Posts: 110 ✭✭30H!3


    Oh yeah sorry it's a 1997 nissan almera gx


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    #5
    slimjimmc
    Registered Users Posts: 7,787 ✭✭✭slimjimmc


    30H!3 wrote: »
    Hi all,

    My girlfriends car failed the NCT on this, ball joints on the front passenger side. I wasn't talking to the NCT guy for long but I presume this means I have to replace the entire lower control arm , and not the ball joint on the track rod ends. Any help greatly appreciated, thanks

    It refers to the control arm ball joint alright. If it was the track rods the report would have stated outer track rod or inner track rod (as it did on mine).
    Perhaps some one else will have the answer as to whether or not you can replace the ball joint itself without replacing the entire control arm, but a quick search on the web suggests it can be done.


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    #6
    DaveJac
    Registered Users Posts: 339 ✭✭DaveJac


    Usually you can replace the ball joint seperatly but it might be less hassel to replace the complete arm, as your probably going to have to take it off anyway to get the ball joint off, and they can be hard to get off at time's espically if there not bolted on some are rivited on which means cutting/drilling them off


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    #7
    greglo23
    Registered Users Posts: 1,028 ✭✭✭greglo23


    If you are doing it yourself its easier to replace the whole arm/wishbone. If i remember correctly the balljoint is splined into the wishbone and its not easy to replace without the right gear. Make sure that you only fully tighten the inner bolts when the car is on the ground though as the inner bushes won't last if you lock them with the car jacked up and the suspension fully extended. If you don't have access to a pit this can be done by driving the car onto a high step, with suitable safety precautions being taken, and locking up the inner bolts the last few turns necessary from underneath.


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