2009 LCA Ball Joint

[Milton]

2009 B2300 2WD, ~35,500 miles, Daily Driver, no off road

While doing a front brake disc pad replacement and bearing repack, I found a torn boot on the Left LCA Ball Joint. Not sure when it failed, it was fine at the last oil change 6,000 miles ago. So I guess it's time to replace both lower ball joints. Looking at MOOG Part# K8771T ($27 ea.), any comments? This is pretty low mileage, so the upper ball joints are in good shape, I don't see a reason to change them at this point.

 

[Milton]

Replacing Lower Ball Joint 2WD

So in prep to replacing the lower ball joints on my 2009 2WD B2300 I've searched the Tech Library and read the procedure in my workshop manual and it appears to be a real PITA.

However it seems that a simpler procedure would be:
Loosen Lower Ball Joint Nut
Remove Outer Tie-rod End Nut
Remove Upper Ball Joint Pinch Bolt/Nut
Drop the spindle
Remove the Lower Ball Joint Nut

Then carefully move the the wheel spindle (complete with rotor & caliper) to the side and support it.

Press out old ball joint
Press in new ball joint
Reattach wheel spindle
Lower Ball Joint Nut
Upper Ball Joint Pinch Bolt/Nut
Outer Tie-rod End Nut
Realignment

Any comments? What have I overlooked?

 

[98whitewood]

You've pretty much got the sequence down. The hardest part when I have done them is separating the spindle from the lower ball joint. The Moog parts are a good option.

 

[Milton]

Thanks. I'm debating changing out the tie rod ends just because it's hard to separate them without damaging them. I've got some time to decide.