Topic: WK balljoints (Read 8901 times)

JamesH · « **on:** May 10, 2012, 10:24:25 AM »

Anyone changed them?

Panic mechanic! · « **Reply #1 on:** May 10, 2012, 10:28:11 AM »

I have done WJ

wildwood · « **Reply #2 on:** May 10, 2012, 11:01:37 AM »

just about to do the ZJ......... You tube instruction is google able

Balljoint removal kit arrived yesterday

Panic mechanic! · « **Reply #3 on:** May 10, 2012, 11:04:23 AM »

took me 2 hours to do and only problem I had is the one joint didn't come out cleanly as the press pushed the ball thru the bottom of the casing, didn't take long to sort out tho, just a few mins head scratching.

scrw · « **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2012, 11:59:40 AM »

WKs have a funky multi link IFS system, which joint needs replacing? isn't the lower one bolted to the lower arm?

JamesH · « **Reply #5 on:** June 13, 2012, 03:28:17 PM »

It looks like replacing the whole lower arm will be easiest. They have 3 bushings and a ball joint on them and 2 bushes and the ball joint have gone..

Easy enough job but the arms are £150 minimum - Jeep wanted £500 each!

Ball joints are press in ones just like other jeep but the ball joints are £50 each.

Bishops Finger · « **Reply #6 on:** June 13, 2012, 05:39:23 PM »

Where from James?

ivanidea · « **Reply #7 on:** June 13, 2012, 08:15:19 PM »

Quote from: JamesH on June 13, 2012, 03:28:17 PM

Easy enough job but the arms are £150 minimum - Jeep wanted £500 each!

I'm just glad the JK ones are being replaced under warranty!

JamesH · « **Reply #8 on:** June 20, 2012, 08:25:50 PM »

JeepChrysler parts on eBay, tried Rockauto but shipping killed the price saving.

JamesH · « **Reply #9 on:** July 06, 2012, 01:40:12 PM »

I bit the bullet as it was getting bad - £310 posted. When you see the size of them, the fact they are heavy cast steel and the ball joints and bushes are at least 50% bigger than the XJ stuff I'm used to the price doesn't seem bad. Made in China quality merchandise so I'll report if something is wrong or they wear out fast but first impressions are good.

Bishops Finger · « **Reply #10 on:** July 06, 2012, 02:12:20 PM »

Fingers crossed...

Bubba · « **Reply #11 on:** July 06, 2012, 03:31:23 PM »

can you do write up on fitting ?

JamesH · « **Reply #12 on:** July 07, 2012, 01:32:25 PM »

I'll do my best, hoping to get them done tomorrow. Looks fairly simple but we'll see what happens.

JamesH · « **Reply #13 on:** July 08, 2012, 09:47:09 PM »

Epic fail, details later

JamesH · « **Reply #14 on:** July 09, 2012, 11:26:44 AM »

1 major PITA - the lower strut bolt. Googling and Jeep Forum searches revealed I wasn't just being a numpty. The bolt (16mm dia.) gets seized in the bushing. I could get it to turn in the bush but not come out even with pry bars, club hammer and even a sledge hammer.

It seem the Yanks either cut the bolt and replace (I don't have a 16mm 10.9 flange head in my parts bin though so had to stop) or they have the benefit of a ramp, air ratchet, buddies and constant hammering.

Anyway, phone TCJ my local Jeep specialist and he said "yeah, about £80, just drop it in tomorrow", so I wimped out and am getting it done. Going to give instructions to add tons of copper slip to the replacement parts.

JamesH · « **Reply #15 on:** July 09, 2012, 05:15:10 PM »

The front suspension and then the bolt head (centre of pic). If it was more for someone else to do it I'd buy new bolts and just cut them off with a reciprocating saw and replace. They're M16x2.0 135mm long flange head 10.9. (obviously it's cheaper to do the bolt buying route but I've run out of time to do it myself).

scrw · « **Reply #16 on:** July 09, 2012, 08:48:50 PM »

One has just aquired a WK FSM if you need one

Bubba · « **Reply #17 on:** July 09, 2012, 09:31:33 PM »

hmmm

Bishops Finger · « **Reply #18 on:** July 09, 2012, 09:39:05 PM »

Quote from: scrw on July 09, 2012, 08:48:50 PM

One has just aquired a WK FSM if you need one

Here please Steve....James go for it...well done for trying...ball joints sem to be the up coming issue for newer Jeeps...r

JamesH · « **Reply #19 on:** July 09, 2012, 09:52:47 PM »

I have a FSM and also full parts catalog for 2006 model. No CRD info in my FSM so if you have any of that let me know. Also should probably point out that the strut bottom means extracting the bolt is extra tricky. Would definitely go new bolt route as rest of job was a piece of cake.

JamesH · « **Reply #20 on:** July 12, 2012, 09:03:11 AM »

Lower arms changed by TCJ Services, Northampton. As always they did a good job, stuck to price quote and timescales - definitely recommended.

I warned them I'd found a seized bolt and struggled and when I collected it they said they'd had a bugger of a time with it and needed two people, on on each end banging with hammers, air tools etc. to get them out. I said about cutting the bolt and replacing and they did say the bolts were a bit special with a bith of a 'shoulder' on the unthreaded part and a standard bolt might not be quite right.

You can get the exact replacement in the states easily - maybe a helpful dealer here could order one too:

http://www.factorychryslerparts.com/products/JEEP/COMMANDER/BOLT--BOLT-AND-RETAINER-Mounting-Hex-Flange-Head--Hex-Head-M16x200x135--M16x200x13500/4369918/06503047.html

Ball joints were shot over 1mm movement easily visible just with hand pressure and the rear bush was well worn too - The Jeep feels so much better now.

ChrisS · « **Reply #21 on:** October 21, 2013, 11:59:05 AM »

Got to do the lower BJs on the WK so did a quick search and found this thread. Anyone done just the BJ change, not the entire arm?

I've already ordered a pair of BJs for the job and hoping I don't have too much trouble with it.....

Can anyone help out with I need to get the old BJs out and the new ones in? Don't mind buying the right tool of it's not too painful price-wise.

Looks like a good pre-soaking with Duck Oil or the like would be advisable. Can't hurt to try anyway.

TFL

ETA, Ok, realised I'll be needing a BJ press so one of those on the way. Anything else I need beyond typical DIY workshop toys?

JamesH · « **Reply #22 on:** October 21, 2013, 06:56:42 PM »

I would have thought press and standard tools would be fine, if it comes out ok for you and you can get access to it

ChrisS · « **Reply #23 on:** October 22, 2013, 03:27:19 PM »

Cheers James. BJs arrived today - made in Taiwan and at least look to be nicely machined and made. Good finish on them for just nuder £20 each. No doubt the OEM ones will be better and last longer, but the middle ground is always tricky - do I pay more but just get the same cheap stuff?? I don't do many miles so hopefully these will last a few years as long as the boots don't rot.

Main drama looks to be will the strut bolt come out or not.... had a similar job to do on the Alfa a while back and the same bolt is also notorious for not coming out. Must have been lucky that day as both came out a treat.

Won't get to this job for a bit yet, but will post back when I do.

JamesH · « **Reply #24 on:** October 22, 2013, 04:29:43 PM »

Good luck. Maybe get under and spray with penetrating spray a few times before you come to do the job.

Author Topic: WK balljoints (Read 8901 times)

Panic mechanic!

Panic mechanic!

scrw

Bishops Finger

Bishops Finger

scrw

Bishops Finger