I changed the driver side lower ball joint it wasn't that bad, once I figure out how to remove the control arm without having a spring compressor.

Took about 3 hours, first hour was trying to remove the BJ without removing the control arm. That was a epic failure, heat bang bang heat bang bang, no movement.

Second hour, I figure I use the car weight to keep the spring compressed, worked out great. But the spring shifted about a inch forward and was like I figure that out when I get ready for the re-install.

How you guys got the ball joint out without a press, I have no clue. Luckily I have one and I pressed it out, took about 10 mins of position and pressing to get it out. Pressing the BJ in was easy until it get flush with the control arm, didn't the right adaptor for the very thin part of the control arm. So, I leaned it up against the wall, and tapped the rest in.

Now to figure on how to get the spring back to it OEM position, so got some tie down rachet straps and pulled the spring back to line it up with the mount holes on the control arm and it worked.

Glad I didn't sell my Hunter Wheel Alignment machine, had to use it to align the car, after I took it for a test drive and the steering wheel was a little off.

Will do the passerger side next week, it should be easier and faster since I know what to do.

SGB

 

How did you keep the weight on the spring if you removed the control arm? You have piqued my interest! x2 on knocking it out with a hammer. I had to use a c clamp press and lots of patience to get mine out.

 

Put the car on jack stands, using the pump jack to lift the suspension (compress the spring), just enough to lift the car very very very little off the jack stands. Just as if it was sitting on the ground with the tires on.

I didn't remove all the bolts from the lower control arm assemble, as you know it is a two part control arm setup. Just the three bolts on the botton and two that holds the bracket for the shocks.

It was a dumb ideal for Jaguar to use a female star bit bolt on the suspension, something that gets rusted. I replaced it with regular head bolt.


When I do the passenger side I take pictures.