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Ball joint

Tiny
SHBURCHILL
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 DODGE CALIBER
  • 1,560,000 MILES
My car has a 2.0 engine. L have to replace ball joints lower front control arms the garage said have replace whole control arm as the ball joint is tack welded in place. Why is it tacked can I remove tack press out and press another one in or are these meant to have whole things replace ball joint control arm and bushings because they did tack weld it in? The ball joint has a cap and its the cap that has a small tack weld.
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2016 AT 3:49 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
It looks like the new ball joint is held in with a snap ring in part. I have seen ball joints even riveted in place and there replaceable. They have a replacement ball joint so I do not see why you could not replace it.
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2016 AT 4:31 PM
Tiny
SHBURCHILL
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  • 17 POSTS
Yes, that is what I am thinking they sell the replacement parts for it. So break the tack welds use ball joint clamp press out and press in also they sell the rear and forward facing bushings so they must be replaceable as well. Read somewhere they were, but if they pit in must be able to come out. But perhaps cheaper just to replace the whole control arm if they already come with bushings. And save time as doing it myself.
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2016 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Now the bushings you have a to watch out for sometimes they can be tricky getting them in and out.
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2016 AT 4:57 PM
Tiny
SHBURCHILL
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  • 17 POSTS
P.S. The service manual says replace whole control arm. So garage is saying to, but yet they sell parts such as ball joint and bushings? That make sense?
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2016 AT 4:57 PM
Tiny
SHBURCHILL
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  • 17 POSTS
Tricky? How so?
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2016 AT 5:07 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
As far bushings getting the tools to knock them out then getting the tools adapters to press them back in. From car to chase different tools different challenges. They sell a bushing tool set, but they are pretty expensive. People use different things to get them changed out. So those are the tricky part on bushings.
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2016 AT 5:12 PM
Tiny
SHBURCHILL
  • MEMBER
  • 17 POSTS
We have a store Canadian tire? You familiar? Not sure where your from this why I ask but the have loan a tool program one can go in get a tool or tools pay the the full price for them. Once done (as long as tool is not broken we can replace the tool get a full refund)
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2016 AT 5:19 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Pictured is a MOOG ball joint, it is the most expensive one at rock auto for $33.00 U.S. It has a bolt going through it as well as a snap ring. Control arm bushing are about $6.00 each.
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2016 AT 5:35 PM
Tiny
SHBURCHILL
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  • 17 POSTS
Hmac300 are you saying as well the ball joints and bushings can be replaced? Any experience doing it or know someone who has on 07 caliber?
Thanks.
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2016 AT 5:52 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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That bolt holds the ball joint end into the knuckle instead of a nut and cotter key or a nylock nut.
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Tuesday, August 16th, 2016 AT 6:33 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Bushing removal is pretty much straight forward support the control are and use a press to remove bushing they may only come out one way.
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Wednesday, August 17th, 2016 AT 6:37 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
They have bushing kits with forcing screws like for the on car bearing presses for press in wheel bearing as well.
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Wednesday, August 17th, 2016 AT 7:26 AM

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