bottom ball joint replacement help req

[bobbobb]

as the title says i need to replace the bottom ball joint.

have bought the ball joint seperate from the arm and i managed to get the old one out including the outer casing but i cant seem to get the new one back in.

i know its a tight fit and i have managed to do other cars like this but i cant get this done.

any help would be great.

i have only diy tools etc

cheers bob

[jasonf860]

Put the ball joint in the freezer overnight to contract the metal slightly. When your ready to install it, Heat up the arm with a torch (preffered) or hair dryer (second choice) to expand the arm slightly. Work quickly because your temerature advantage will be a moot point once the two parts are in contact.

[BMWredneck]

most of the time you have to get them pressed in. Your local autparts store should have them for rent.

[Jim Spence]

If you want to shrink it down even faster (and smaller), buy a bit of dry ice (over 100 degrees below zero) and let it sit in that overnight. The metal will shrink as small as it possibly can, and the dry ice does no harm to the part. Dry ice can make some things brittle, but you'd have to hammer it with a sledge hammer to do any damage to it.

[jasonf860]

If you want to shrink it down even faster (and smaller), buy a bit of dry ice (over 100 degrees below zero) and let it sit in that overnight. The metal will shrink as small as it possibly can, and the dry ice does no harm to the part. Dry ice can make some things brittle, but you'd have to hammer it with a sledge hammer to do any damage to it.

+1

I've done MANY ball joints with the temperature advantage. It works 90% of the time. The interferance fit is only a few thousandths so by cooling one part you get a couple thou of shrinkage and heating the other gives you a couple thou of expansion. Just DO NOT heat till it's red or you'll start heat treating the material!