am about to attempt to change the ball joints on my space cruiser
I have never done it before any ody got any tips or hints to make it simple (Iam a thick brum exile)

- (#14689) jon, 28 Dec 04 12:41

Upper or lower/both?
Upper can be done in situ, lower you need to remove the stub axle.
Posted before on Ace Answers somewhere.

- (#14689) Clive (Bristol), 28 Dec 04 18:39

looked over answers but can not find posting
it will fail mot on one of them so i might as well change all

- (#14689) jon, 30 Dec 04 01:06

Put on axle stands if you have them.
Wheel off, undo brake caliper and swing up and off of the pivot, it hooks on one of the struts without stressing the flexi pipe.
Undo the four bolts around the upper and then the four on the lower joint, release the track rod arm (maybe worth doing those as well?), remove bolts, hold knuckle joint push up and pull out - and be ready for the weight!
You will need a heavy duty joint splitter!
I could not remove one of the bottom ones and had to take it to a garage and have it pressed out, the other three came out with a lot of effort.
Refit by putting the top in the upper suspension arm and pushing up (may need to jack) and swing the bottom in, nuts bolts and new split pins and job done.
Well almost don't forget to grease the upper joint.

I did my Spacecruiser lower ones once and the upper ones three times. The third time I used Toyota joints and they lasted the last 100,000 miles before I sold it.

Best of luck!

- (#14689) Clive (Bristol), 30 Dec 04 02:06