Front Ball joint replacement Easy or Hard??

[ab1]

2001 pt cruiser: Just turned 100000 and Driver side Ball joint boot is ripped. I need opinions on the difficulty on doing this. The Haynes Manual makes it sound easy. I have the press and all the tools needed. Also any links with better instructions would be helpful too.

[fastdel]

its much more easy to fit new wish bone thats all ready got ball joints and rubbers pre fitted
and i would personally replace both sides as other ball joint will most likely go soon as well lol
ebay is normally good to find a pair

[Sharkstooth]

If you have the proper ball joint tools and the know how it can be easy,just a little time consuming.Good luck.

[ab1]

UPDATE: I Got driver side done today!!!! It took 3 hours, Negotiating the removal of the Control Arm takes time and patience. I am Going to do the passenger side tomorrow. I will post pics later.

[luvmysxs]

Originally Posted by ab1

UPDATE: I Got driver side done today!!!! It took 3 hours, Negotiating the removal of the Control Arm takes time and patience. I am Going to do the passenger side tomorrow. I will post pics later.

since you have 100000 miles on the pt, 3 hours per side definitely not worth just replacing the ball joints since the bushing usually are shot by then. what i did was replaced the complete control arm assy, new bushings, ball joints, control arms, cost was $80 per side with life time warranty, took appox 2 hours to replace both sides. then had the wheels realigned for another $65.

[ab1]

Originally Posted by luvmysxs

since you have 100000 miles on the pt, 3 hours per side definitely not worth just replacing the ball joints since the bushing usually are shot by then. what i did was replaced the complete control arm assy, new bushings, ball joints, control arms, cost was $80 per side with life time warranty, took appox 2 hours to replace both sides. then had the wheels realigned for another $65.

I was going to replace the entire arm but I got everything including new bushings for under 50$. (MOOG Ball joints 25$ for 2 , MOOG horizontal bushing for 7$ for 2 and MOOG vertical bushing 13$ for 2) The passenger side took about 1 hr and 45 mins. even though I had to remove the splash guard and a few other bolts. Got realigned for 74$.