I need to replace the lower ball joint on my 2002 SE. How difficult is it to remove the lower ball joint from the lower control arm (I've already removed the hub)? It appears that a snap ring is holding the ball joint in place so I'm wondering if the ball joint will slide right out after removing that snap ring.

 

To my knowledge, it is not removable. You have to replace the entire lower control arm unless you are extremely adept at welding (and even then, I wouldn't suggest it).

LCAs are pretty cheap though (<$20 at junkyards, around $100 new from DaveB).....

IIRC the snap ring is just holding the boot there, not the BJ itself.

 

i thought they could be pressed out?

 

IIRC that is only on the 4th gens.....

I mean...anything can be pressed out with enough force I suppose.

 

Dammit, I think I need a new ball joint on my drivers side, or bushings for my LCA. My wheel has the slightest little in/out movement (maybe it's just in my head) which is what I had to do with my 93 SE. I replace both shafts, BJ's, struts/springs, and passanger side control arm (needed just for the bushings). That took me about 13 hours to do (NY car, so I'm sure you could imagine the grime on the bolts). I was really hoping not to have to do that again, but maybe it'll be better since I am doing it on 5 yr-old car, instead of an 11 year-old one.

 

They can be pressed out. All the Maxima LCAs I've done ALWAYS had a snap ring on them to hold the ball joints in. Remove the snap ring, pound on the ball joint till it pops out, install new one.... snap ring, and its done. I have done about 10-12 LCA jobs with ES bushings for the local Maxima guys (in the last 3-4 months ), and I always see the snap ring holding the ball joint in.

I think LCAs are actually around 350 for a set from a discount Nissan dealer.

 

I think the question is whether you can actually buy the BJ by itself. Pretty sure you can't buy 5gen BJ from Nissan....unless an aftermarket company sells them

 

Moog > Nissan.

You can get them, and they are serviceable with zerk fittings on them for re greasing.

 

True, I dont think you can get a oem ball joint from the dealer, maybe you can , I have a 5th gen max, Where i work we sell them , the brand is TRW and they have a lifetime warranty the down side is they cost $124 each >< thats at advance auto parts, also they carry the entire control arm with the ball joint already installed, there $168 each so it up to you genovet if you want to spend that kind of money or get a used one wich i would not recommend.

 

I got a Moog one for like 32 bux each, I think. I did a set for a guy not too long ago.