D3 lower Ball Joint replacement

[Tinman]

Hi Guys, Took my D3 up for a rego check and they found that my LHS lower ball joint is shot, Knew this before I went, as you could hear clunking when traveling on dirt roads or driving into my driveway. He passed it but said if I got the ball joints he would do it for me. Me being a person to have ago at anything, decided to purchase the ball joints, which I now have. Before I start is there anyone out there that has attemped it. The LR place where I brought the balls from havent even done this job yet, but are keen for me to let them know how when I finish. Not very encourageing. Have my own ideas but welcome any more

[CaverD3]

You may have been better buying the Lower control arms with the upgraded ball joints and done the bushes at the same time.
I would make sure what you have bought are the larger upgraded bushes.

[stig0000]

iv fitted countless ball joints and never herd of a upgraded joint

and if your balljoints are shot,, its worth doing the bushes as well, and then its easyer and only costs not much more, adn time to do the job is cut massive, you need a deasent press and the right tools to fit the joints and bushs

[CaverD3]

Original D3 ball joints fail easily. LR upgraded them to larger ones, they also produced a new lower control arm with the new ball joints already in them as well as the bushes. If you are replacing the bushes it is a quicker and just as cheap (expensive?) alternative.

[stig0000]

soz i left out the, buy hole arm bit

i think wen i last looked for a complete arm it was about $440

[CaverD3]

Includes bushes and ball joint, together with time saved makes it woth it normally but if you are doing yourself coughd be marginally more.
Just a thought; ZF make the bushes for the D3, get a price from them and compare.

[Tinman]

well thanks guys, had a real hard look at the job today and decided to get someone to do it for me. There is a lot of bits and pieces to remove to do the job. The ball joints cost me $65 each, not bad price