So I just got quoted 460 Canadian for two control arms from the dealer. I'm thinking that's a fair amount for two bad ball joints. Has anyone managed to change out just the ball joints and if so how did you get it done?

I can probably get control arms from a junkyard but is it possible to change just the ball joints - my control arms are in good condition.

 

The ball joints can be pressed out of the control arm by any shop with a hydraulic press. There's really no reason to buy a whole new control arm when just the joints are bad.

 

Thanks. Is dropping the new ones in easy enough?

 

They have to be pressed in.

 

If yo want, I have a balljoint for sale, PM me.

 

More info:
http://doug.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=318958

 

I have also heard of people knocking them out with a good size hammer.

 

Or a pickelfork, AKA balljoint seperator.

Most places will tell you to replace the whole control arm if the ball joints or bushings on the arm are going out. Some people just re pressed new busihngs there, and I myself just bought a single balljoint from CarQuest, $20.

This was before I hit a curb and killed my control arm, ended up replacing it, and now have a single balljoint for sale.

It was easy for me to remove my balljoint from the old arm because it had busted open with the impact of the curb, therefore, all I needed was a pickelfork due to the fact that the metal portion of the balljoint was exposed.

My advice is to get a new control arm, 141.xx (282 for 2 of them ) from pinnacle nissan, look them up on the web, easy to navigate site and very reasonable prices.

The job is easy, just pick up a haynes or chilton so that you don't remove parts that do not need removing and cause the process to slow down.

Get it aligned after you're done.

 

I've gone with just the balljoints - $24.50 a go from rockauto.com.
I've no idea how the pressing of new joints goes but I can rent a press, and saving $250 is enough incentive for me to try. I'll post back with the results....

 

ok i got a good question for u guys... im getting similar poping sounds when i go over real small bumps... also the stearing wheel shakes when i go over larger bumps... so would it be feasible to say that its the ball joints or something else...?