Hey guys. I need to replace my ball joint. When I went to the mechanic he gave me a price for it and I came home to reseach. After reading my Chilton's manual, it said that the ball joint itself cannot be replaced, but the whole lower control arm needs to be. When I call the parts places and even online, they all say the ball joint can be replaced by itself, and none of them even have a lower control arm for it. I'm terribly confused. I trust you guys to tell me whats up. Oh yeah, its a 97 Maxima SE. Thanks!

 

I'm pretty sure you can replace a ball joint without getting a brand new LCA.

 

I just replaced mine and thought from reading the manual I would have to do the whole thing but they do sell just the ball joint so thats all I replaced.

Its a biatch to do though you need the correct tool to do it. I borrowed one free from out local parts store (they have a tool lending program) but the actual cost of the tool was over $300. Its easy when you have the right tool though.

 

I replaced my balljoints using a $20 clamp tool from Harbor Freight. My car is a 97 SE.

Dave

 

it can be replaced without the control arm i did mine a week ago