Are ball joints and sway bar links the same?
Are ball joints and sway bar links the same?
A sway or stabilizer bar prevents the car body from leaning too much and keeps the vehicle stable when driving in turns. The part that connects the outer ends of the sway bar to the suspension component is called a sway bar link. In most cars a sway bar link has two small ball joints at each end.
How are ball joints and tie rod ends connected?
Effectively, the steering system is a separate system from the suspension system, but the two systems work hand in hand in to steer your vehicle down the road. Ball joints and tie rod ends are not connected to each other but are both connected to a mechanism called a spindle.
Why do you need to remove sway bar end links?
Removing the front sway bar end links allows the control arms to move independently, which gave us the movement in the control arm we needed to remove the lower ball joint. The outer tie rod is connected to the spindle using a castle-type nut.
How to tighten and torque tie rod ends?
Tighten and torque the ball joint and tie rod end components to the manufacturers specified torque ratings, which can be found with some research. We reattached the sway bar, which we removed earlier to move the control arms. Double-check that everything is tightened and torqued.
How to replace control arms, tie rods, and ball?
Once everything is measured, take a T50 bit socket and remove the pinch bolt from the tie rod end. Next, take a 13mm wrench, and, when looking at the knuckle, rotate the tie rod to the left, separating it from the tie rod end. After that, take a 24mm socket and remove the nut holding the tie rod end into the knuckle.
How do you replace a tie rod end ball joint?
When the joint is riveted to the control arm, the rivets are drilled out or cut with an air chisel. The new joint is replaced using bolts and locking nuts. Tie rod end ball joints, on the other hand, are more tolerant of wear.
How to check ball joint, control arm and tie rod?
To check the joint, the upper control arm is supported to unload the joint. If the ball joint has a built-in wear indicator, joint play should be checked while the vehicle is on its wheels. Follower Joint: To check a follower-type joint, the Belleville washer or spring is loaded or compressed to check for axial end play.
How do you check for free play on a tie rod?
1. Check the outer tie rod ends by grasping BY HAND and push up and down. DO NOT USE A PRY BAR. Check the inner tie rod ends, pushing them front to rear. If any free play is observed in a joint, it is worn and should be replaced. 2.
Can you use a pry bar to inspect a ball joint?
OEM or suspension manufacturer recommended procedure for inspecting a ball-type joint rarely involves a pry bar and almost never involves a set of pliers. Using pliers and a pry bar usually causes more damage than good. Instead, you must use your hands and eyes.
