DIY Ball Joint Installation Tool

[velorider]

I just installed ball joints on my S60 and built this tool to hammer them in. They went in super easy, the secret is to freeze them overnight, this shrinks them just enough to make installation 50% easier .

Parts:
2" PVC Schedule 40
2" PVC Cap
10x1.25 50mm Bolt

To insure the ball joints are aligned correctly, place the ball joints into the knuckle, use the 10x1.25 bolts to align the bolt joint with the thread holes in the knuckle. I left the plastic boot protection on when I place the PVC installation tool over the ball joint and hammered away. You have about 3-4 minutes while the ball joint is coldest.

Some Hints Replacing Ball Joint:
* I find it easiest to remove the knuckle, versus prying the control arm. I've done it with the ratchet strap method, so much harder. Specially if your control arms are new.
* With the knuckle removed, using a cheap Harbor Freight air hammer makes removing the old ball joint a breeze

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[abscate]

In Calgary or Edmonton, just put the ball joints on the front porch, then push them in with your fingers...

[velorider]

In Calgary or Edmonton, just put the ball joints on the front porch, then push them in with your fingers...

Ha! That doesn't work in Southern California even in January.

Jan 1st, greenish grass and fresh lemons!!

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[oragex]

I believe the freezer sits at -20C (-5F) while some parts of Canada/Alaska get -35C (-30F) in winter, advantage C/A

I also did clean really well the hole from all corrosion with a wire brush on a electric drill and put some high pressure grease in it. Still had to to punch a bit the ball joint in there. Some brands are harder to press in but Lemforder goes in there decently and should be about the only brand to use (it's also the original part that Volvo put in the S60)