Editing Change a ball joint (section)

== Removal ==
'''1. Raise car and remove front wheels'''

'''2. Remove front brake caliper'''
<gallery>
Image:5._Removing_Brake_Pipe_Clamp.JPG|Remove the [[brake hoses|brake hose]] clamp first
Image:6._Removing_Front_Brake_Caliper.JPG|Remove the brake caliper using an 8mm hex driver or allen key
Image:7._Securing_Front_Brake_Caliper.JPG|Zip tie the caliper out of the way
</gallery>

* Secure the brake caliper so that it does not get in the way of removing the ball joint. Ensure that the brake line is not under strain and taking the weight of the caliper. You may wish to use a cable tie to secure the caliper out of the way. 

'''3. Remove the brake discs'''

'''4. Remove the ball joint nut'''
<gallery>
Image:8._Removing_Lower_Ball_Joint_Nut.JPG
</gallery>

* Use a 19mm ring/open ended spanner for the lower ball joint. You need to start with the ring end and transfer to the open end after winding the nut half the way up, otherwise the ring spanner will get stuck between the nut and the hub carrier and you won’t be able to remove the nut or the spanner.

''' 5. Split the ball joint from the hub carrier'''
<gallery>
Image:9._Splitting_Lower_Ball_Joint.JPG
Image:10._Lower_Ball_Joint_Split_From_Hub_Carrier.JPG
</gallery>

* You may wish to use a [[Ball joint splitter|fork splitter]] with a few hard hits with a club hammer. Alternatively you could use a scissor splitter.
* When the ball joint is split from the hub carrier move carrier out of the way. You could use a trolley jack handle as a prop for the hub carrier under the track rod end bolt.

'''6. Remove ball joint'''
<gallery>
Image:11._Steering_Wheel_Set_To_Full_Lock.JPG
Image:12._Ball_Joint_Removal_Tool_Assembled.JPG|Make sure that you coat the bolt threads with plenty of copper grease
Image:13._Removing_Ball_Joint.JPG|Maintain even pressure
Image:14._Ball_Joint_Removed.JPG|The ball joint pops out very easily
</gallery>

* Turn the steering wheel to full lock to move the hub carrier out of the way, so you can fit a ball joint removal tool.
* Remove the ball joint rubber dust cover and circlip. This is important because the dust cover and circlip can bind up in the ball joint removal tool and the bolts could snap when you are tightening them.
* Assemble the ball joint removal tool and make sure that you coat the bolt threads with plenty of copper grease. This is an Elise Parts ball joint removal tool.
* Using a 19mm socket/ratchet, tighten the bolts 2 turns each keeping them even