Ball Joint Replacement???

[gsturbo91]

Ok,

On my 90 Tsi AWD I have a bad front lower ball-joint. I read in my Hayne's manual that the whole lower control arm has to be replaced to fix this. But then last night I was on Advance Auto Parts website and it showed a part# listing for just the ball joint. Someone please explain. Can I just change the ball joint? If not, where can I get a control arm, and how much will it run me? Also, if anyone has a set of shift cables in good shape for a 90 AWD let me know I need them badly.

Thanks Guys,
Justin Boyle (GSTurbo91)

 

[steve]

On my 90 Tsi AWD I have a bad front lower ball-joint. Can I just change the ball joint?

The lower control arm ball joints are press fit with a big snap ring on the top. If the control ares are good you can press out the old joint and press in the new ones. I just did the passenger side again after the cheap NAPA part started leaking grease two months after I replaced both sides.

Steve

 

[realhp=turbo]

Ive done that too. No you dont need to replace the whole lower control arm. They sure would like you to though. The ball joints themselves are reasonably priced. Take the entire LCA assembly off the car. Youll need a cir-clip tool, You will have to press them out. But putting the new ones in is a snap. All in all the whole job takes like an hour. If you have a friend who has a press that works even easier. Not to fret you can do it yourself. I did.
mike

 

[gsturbo91]

Ok, thanks, can someone explain this process to me on how to do it on an AWD? As I said it doesn't have it in my shop manual.

 

[realhp=turbo]

Its the front that you are replacing right? Cause those are the same as the front wheel drive model.

also, you might want to aquire a chiltons they are alittle more indepth than those haynes manuals

 

[TalonR]

Ball Joints are really quick. Even a machine shop will press them out for a reasonable price. Dont try pounding them out, it will just cause headaches. Just my advice. But I bought mine off of Rockauto.com, really decent pricing..

https://www.rockauto.com/applet3.html

Just follow the list down to your vehicle and then to suspension. They will have them there.
Have had mine for like 8 months in with no problems at all