If you replace it with a junkyard one, make sure the balljoints are good. If they are not, guess what? You will need that press they have been talking about to change them. I got one from Harbor Freight for $40.00 and it works well enough to get the job done.

You might consider after you get it off, taking it to a machine shop and asking them if they can get the bearing off for you.

 

This ball joint thing...


Does this come off when I take off the whole thing?

 

Yep,you're gonna need a new knuckle.I would still replace the ball joints if you get the knuckle from a junkyard truck.They tend to get pushed and drug around in the dirt,so the ball joints are probably junk anyway.I also suggest just having the junkyard torch the knuckle off at the IFS arm,the heat right now is way too dangerous to spend an hour or so in the junkyard trying to get the knuckle off with regular tools.

Did your brakes just lock up on the one side?

The ball joints are pressed into the knuckle.They will come off with the knuckle.That is why a Ball Joint Press is needed when changing them.

 

Dang..

Wait, wait, wait....


I'm not.. understanding...

New buckle... what is that?

IFS arm?

Ball joint press to put on the... what?

 

You have two of the balljoints pictured above, in your picture below. See that tapered part on the shaft in the picture above? That's what's holding it in there tight. You already took the cotterpin and nut off both of them. Turn the above picture upside down, and you will see them in the picture below.

 

New Knuckle,not buckle.The steering knuckle is what the spindle is on.The bearings slide over the spindle.The spindle is part of the knuckle,so you will have to replace the knuckle.The IFS arm is the long arm that goes under the engine.It is what the knuckle "bolts" to with the ball joints.A ball joint press is needed to remove and replace the ball joints.If needed I can take your pic and circle everything for you and write it out if it'll help prevent confusion.

 

Please help me prevent confusion!


Wait... I need a ball joint press to replace those things I just took off!?

 

You will need the press to remove those things that Franklin posted in the first pic above.I'm working on a pic for ya real quick.

 

So I need a "Ball Joint Press" to take them both off?


What about putting them back on?

 

Do I need to replace the ball joints?

But that screw that i'm having a problem with.. does the press take that off, too?

 

I would replace the ball joints when you get the new knuckle.

That isn't a screw,it's the camber adjuster.It will come out with the steering knuckle when you knock the steering knuckle off the IFS arm.Right now,the only thing that is holding that knuckle on is a few years of dirt and grime.You have taken everything off that's needed,it's just a matter of freeing the knuckle from the IFS arm.

Here's your picture so you can identify what we're talking about.

 

Oh...


Yes, that's so much better!




So, the steering knuckle... Should I get it new or used? Part store or junk yard?

Ball Joints... New... yes...

Oh man... there goes all the money I had saved up...

And I need a Ball Joint Press to get it on and off...

Alright...

Camber Adjuster comes out when I take the ball joint out, right?

 

Nobody sells the knuckle new,so you'll have to get it from the junkyard.

Yes on new Ball Joints

Yes on needing a ball joint press to remove the ball joints from the knuckle.You'll also need it to put them in.

Yes on camber adjuster coming out,but it will take a little persuasion to get it out.They like to stick.But you only have to worry about that on the replacement knuckle.

 

You only need a press to remove the ball joints from the control arm. The piece that you are trying to remove (Rotor/Caliper/Bearing assembly) will come off and can be replaced without a press. One of the more common methods of disassembly is by taking the biggest hammer you can find and hit the spindle where the ball joint passes through it (blue bits). (From memory, this is how the workshop manual says to do it). You might be able to use a pickle fork to get the camber/caster adjuster sleeve out.

Before you take it all apart is the best time to assess the condition of the ball joints. With the tyre still on, get someone to hold it at the top and bottom and try and push/pull along its vertical axis while you look at the ball joints. You will see them move if there is any play in them. Once the spindle is freed from the ball joints you can check them by trying to move them. They should be very tight but smooth to move, if you can move them at all. You might need a bit of leverage to get them to budge. Most worn out ones are sloppy/notchy and fairly easy to move.

 

Hey Mate,his bearings got hot and welded themselves to the spindle,so he can't remove the rotor or anything.His spindle is probably trashed,so he needs a new knuckle.