Replacement ball joints directional ?

[MkRespke]

I'm having new ball joints pressed in. Since the Bentley manual doesn't explain how to press in new ball joints (just recommends replacing control arms), is there a specific way the ball joints are pressed in ? Is the ball joints travel limited by some specific way of installing them by a mark or indentation on the control arm ?

[jlevie]

As far as I know, it is immaterial what orientation the ball joints are when they are pressed in.

[backtrail69]

Replacing control arms is WAY easier... and probably not much more expensive.

[MkRespke]

Yeah next time I will replace control arms entirely. This time though I don't want to throw out good control arms with new ball joints pressed in and buy a set of brand new control arms on top of that.

[Borat]

As far as I know, it is immaterial what orientation the ball joints are when they are pressed in.

Depends on which ball joints, inner or outer?

The inner ball joints definatly have to be installed the right way. When you remove the Control Arm you'll be able to have a play and see that its restricted on one axis, and has much more movement in its designed rotation.

I can't remember if the outers have a special direction.

[MkRespke]

What do you use as reference points to make sure the inners are installed correctly ?

[StereoInstaller1]

Replacing control arms is WAY easier... and probably not much more expensive.

True about the easier, but I got 4 ball joints for $80 and pressed in for $10 and a 12 pack of soda.

Best deal I could find at the time was $120/side for new control arms.

I found no alignment marks of any kind, BTW.

Luke

[Mr Deagle]

they do require proper orientation as you know now Mark

Mitch

[MkRespke]

There are triangular indentations on the bottom of the ball joints that look like they should be aligned with the direction of the car front to back.

[Borat]

just check the orientation of the old ones before you press them out and match up the new ones as close as possible, I can't remember any marks.

[mops]

how would i go about testing whether my balljoints are ok ? I have failed the inspection on outer left balljoint (we drive here on the left sinde of the road), but yesterday I have lifted the car and tried to wiggle the wheel and I swear there's no freeplay there. they all look the same but aparently left outer requires replacment. I just think that inspector officer is being difficult making me replace it...

[Schniddy]

I just had four new ones pressed in last week. Three of them seem right, while one of the inner ones seems to have more play than the rest. Should I be conserned?