Ball Joint Replacment on 88 Sentra without removeing Half Shaft???

Kris Ryback · Apr 22nd, 2004, 08:37 AM

Hello,

Being somewhat a mechanic (just replaced struts last week on my 88 Sentra)
but lacking in much direct experience. Is it possible to change the Ball Joints without removeing or messing with the Half Shaft (a process I am not comfortable with fearing I won't be able to get it back in properly)

Maybe there enough play in the Half Shaft to just move it out of the way without pulling it out?

thx

Kris

Myetball · Apr 22nd, 2004, 03:00 PM

If you use a ball joint seperator...aka pickle fork...it should be a snap to seperate the ball joint from the steering knuckle. You may have to wait until the ball joint is loose to get the nut off all the way.

Now, getting the ball joint out of the lower control arm is another story. Yours are pressed in. You'll have to remove the lower control arm and take it to a shop to have the old one pressed out and the new one in.

Popkorn · Apr 22nd, 2004, 06:54 PM

If you bought one of these you could do it. But you still have to pull the drive shaft. Search "ball joint" from their home page. There is 4 or 5 kits available. Harbor Freight,

my favorite candy store.

Bugalou · Apr 22nd, 2004, 07:44 PM

I just did a ball joint on my 88 pulsar...I suggest you get a ball joint removal- installation kit (have them on ebay for 80 bucks) and a ball joint pickle fork, saves alot of time and headaches...I think you would have to take the strut off then take the tie rod off(use tie rod pickle fork and you might as well get a new tie rod, pickle forks destroy the grease boot) and then you would take the nut off the ball joint and lift the whole hub off the ball joint bolt and slide the axle out of the hub(make sure you loosen the axle nut before you start all this fun ..while the tire is still on and on the ground unless you have an air impact wrench)..OK where were we..ok you slide the hub off the axle making sure I REPEAT making sure that you do not pull on the axle and you keep it relatively strait and supported(tie a rope to something in the engine bay and tie the other end to the axle to support it(do NOT let it free hang or you'll mess the seal up where it goes into the tranny)..then proceed to do what ya gotta do to the ball joint...This is basically what I did on my pulsar but I changed the drive shaft too, it was pretty easy to do except installing the new seal which was a big pain in the ass ,you may have a different set up on your sentra so guys correct me if I'm wrong..

Dave

Myetball · Apr 22nd, 2004, 08:21 PM

Since he's going to be replacing the ball joints and he has to take the lower control arm off anyway it's alright if the rubber boots on the ball joint get hosed.

I'd suggest you disconnect the lower control arm from the frame and swaybar, then use the pickle fork to get the ball joint out of the steering knuckle. That's it. Leave the strut connected so it will support the steering knuckle and driveshaft. Take the control arm in to get the ball joint swapped and slap it all back together.

Check out your front bushings while it's apart, they may need to be changed also.

Kris Ryback · Apr 22nd, 2004, 08:39 PM

Thanks for a great response I may try it this weekend. Will post how it all went.

thanks again

Kris