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Hi, the ball joint is gone on my driver's side. I had a look on saturday but it looks awkward to replace. Is there any knack to it and do I need a ball joint splitter as it looks like there is not much room? I presume I take off the brake calipers and brake disc and dust shield and take it from there? Its the only car I've on the road at the moment so don't want to go at it unless I'm sure I'll get the old ball joint out!  |
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'86 E30. '86 E28. '92 E32. '97 Laguna. '98 March. '00 A4. '05 Focus.
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rtlkyuubi
Posted a lot
Low and Slow
Posts: 2,922
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What age micra? and no need to take all that off, Wheel off Crack off the lock nut on the steering arm A couple of firm hits on the part where the ball joint slots in and it should just fall out:  no need for 2 hammers, just the closest picture I could find to show what I mean. Wind old one off, wind new one on and then head over to a tyre place and get the tracking done. Simples. |
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Sorry I completely forgot the model/year! Its a '98 K11 1.0 and the ball joint is right at the wheel under the hub assembly. Here is the only picture I can find but the wishbone has been dropped.  Edit:- This is the ball joint in question  |
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Last Edit: Feb 4, 2013 12:36:13 GMT by renofan
'86 E30. '86 E28. '92 E32. '97 Laguna. '98 March. '00 A4. '05 Focus.
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froggy
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,099
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Unless you have a decent vice and a good selection of sockets to press the old one out and the new one in get a complete arm from a motor factor . Ball joint will be much cheaper but you can make a mess of the arm if it doesn't want to come out
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Thanks froggy, I was fearing it would be as you suggested. The current balljoint is the original. Is it easy enough to take out the wiahbone?
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Last Edit: Feb 4, 2013 16:23:42 GMT by renofan
'86 E30. '86 E28. '92 E32. '97 Laguna. '98 March. '00 A4. '05 Focus.
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froggy
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,099
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Take the arm out of the car and find a socket big enough to go over the underside of the arm and one that goes over the taper side and wack it out with a big hammer . Putting the new one in needs to be done in a vice to get it in square . Price up an arm as it usually saves a load of grief if you haven't got the right kit to do it .
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These can be a right *^!# to shift from the wishbone - but a few good clouts with heavy steel mallet should let you know what you're up against.
Alternative might be to cost up a new wishbone - should come with a new balljoint fitted - they're often easier to replace than the ball joint by itself and if its only a few quid extra can avoid potential hassle of thumping out the balljoint. If not, take the wishbone out and use a vice and decent drift - putting some heat on the balljopint will also make it easier to shift.
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Opel Manta GTE
Subaru Brat
Vauxhall Centuar
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markbognor
South East
 
Posts: 9,969
Club RR Member Number: 56
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Nissan Micra Ball Jointmarkbognor
@markbognor
Club Retro Rides Member 56
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Ball joints can be had for half the price of a wishbone. but an arm is only going to be £30 or so. I don't recall anyone on the MSC doing the ball joint rather than the arm. I'm sure someone must have, but It wasn't me the last time I needed one doing.
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There isn't much room to get a scissor type splitter in with the driveshaft in place, you can use a pickle fork type or just bang it with a hammer to shock the taper free. I would prefer to replace the whole wishbone rather than just the ball joint, they aren't expensive, saves work and you get replacement bushes aswell. It's a straight forward nuts and bolts job, the only potential problem you sometimes run into is if the bolt is seized into the metal sleeve in the bush.
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,195
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Nissan Micra Ball JointChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
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Unless you go with an OE/genuine arm (which seem to be closer to £80 to change) I would also look to simply change the balljoint. You can buy balljoint removal tools IIRC, although a friendly garage may be able to help you out.
On that note, I assume Micras are not massively heavy on wishbone bushes...
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Thanks for all the replies. I've ordered a new wishbone with all the bushings/balljoint attached as I got in contact with a fella that specialises in working on Nissans in Dublin yesterday evening and he recommended I go down the new wishbone etc. route. I can return the balljoint and change it for the full wishbone/bushings/balljoint for €30 extra. Just hope its straight forward to fit now  |
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Last Edit: Feb 5, 2013 11:16:58 GMT by renofan
'86 E30. '86 E28. '92 E32. '97 Laguna. '98 March. '00 A4. '05 Focus.
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...... On that note, I assume Micras are not massively heavy on wishbone bushes... My car is 15 years old and over 100k miles so hopefully its worth replacing everything! |
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'86 E30. '86 E28. '92 E32. '97 Laguna. '98 March. '00 A4. '05 Focus.
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Feb 28, 2013 16:04:05 GMT
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I forgot to update this. I actually replaced both wishbones while I was at it and it has made a huge difference to the car. Took about 4 hours to get the old ones off and about 5 mins to put the new ones on each side!!
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'86 E30. '86 E28. '92 E32. '97 Laguna. '98 March. '00 A4. '05 Focus.
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