Balljoint Day

"MM54" (mm54mk2) 12/01/2018 at 14:34 • Filed to: CROWN VIC CONTENT!

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Finally had time to replace the lower balljoints on the Crown Vic this morning.

There was just enough play in them about a month ago to put it in the “that needs fixed” category, but with my work travel schedule I’ve not had the chance to do them until now (ironic since I use this car for work travel and have put over 1200 miles on it in the past two weeks therefor).

Replacement was uneventful, with the hardest part being getting the swaybar endlink back in place (discon nected it to be able to swing the spindle up out of the way). Not sure what to do with the rest of my day, I’ve not had real free time in several weeks. I might fix the handbrake on the 4Runner.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > MM54 12/01/2018 at 14:43

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Everyone on Oppo : “did the ball joints, meh”

Me: [posts on Oppo 6 times in three days] “Why can’t I get my ball joint off? :(((((“

MM54 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 12/01/2018 at 14:46

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I was fully prepared to go out to the shed for the 8lb sledgehammer but they popped with my 2lb hammer I call the “LFH” (like a BFH but little) and pickle fork. I was surprised the tapers weren’t more rusted/seized up; fortunately whoever did them last didn’t go hulk-smash on the nut.

BeaterGT > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 12/01/2018 at 15:36

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It took me 2 weekends for my driver side and I even had to take the steering knuckle off the car. I really never want to do them again. 

lone_liberal > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 12/01/2018 at 15:50

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I’m not even going to attempt it on the Camaro so you’re ahead of me. They’ve been in there too long and I know both removing the old ones  and installing the new ones would be a battle. And it needs a complete alignment anyway. Mostly it’s because I’m a coward.

shop-teacher > MM54 12/01/2018 at 16:36

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I’m s urprised a vehicle you described as “mostly rust” could have anything repaired without a fight.

MM54 > shop-teacher 12/01/2018 at 16:43

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Me too. To be fair, the frame is (almost) entirely solid; all the sheetmetal is returning to the earth. Mechanical bits are hit and miss, some are in much better shape (mainly the stuff I’ve replaced in the past 5 years) that others.

There’s also a factor of “I’m used to it”

shop-teacher > MM54 12/01/2018 at 16:56

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Gotcha. Sounds like a good Rallycross candidate then :)