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$.

[Pied397]

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.

Hey!
I was just told when I went to get an alignment that the "ball joint bushings" were shot and that they would not align the vehicle without repair. They quoted me over $300 - I have an eager set of grease monkies willing to help me out, but who've never done this kind of repair before. Do you guys have any suggestions?
Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!