Lower ball joint removal and installation

JESSICA MERTENS

MEMBER
2011 HYUNDAI SONATA
2WD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

I'm having someone replace my lower ball joint and he's having trouble separating the lower ball joint from the other piece after you loosen the 3 bolts. I know you can take a pry bar but it's not wanting to separate. Also I'm wondering how you could put the new one in without a shop press?

1 Reply

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good morning,

The stud should have been released before removing the 3 bolts to the lower control arm.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-release-a-ball-joint

I would have him put back the 3 bolts and separate the ball joint from the spindle first with a tuning fork or ball joint separator.

Roy

Replacement

1. Remove the front wheel & tire.

Tightening torque:
88.3 - 107.9 N.m (9.0 - 11.0 kgf.m, 65.1 - 79.6 lb-ft)

CAUTION:
Be careful not to damage to the hub bolts when removing the front wheel & tire.

2. Loosen the bolt & nut and then remove the lower arm (A).

Tightening torque:
98.1 - 117.7 N.m (10.0 - 12.0 kgf.m, 72.3 - 86.8 lb-ft)

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3. Remove the front lower arm (A) and then loosen the bolts & nuts.

Tightening torque
Front:
137.3 - 156.9 N.m (14.0 - 16.0 kgf.m, 101.3 - 115.7 lb-ft)
Rear:
98.1 - 117.7 N.m (10.0 - 12.0 kgf.m, 72.3 - 86.8 lb-ft)

Image (Click to make bigger)