How did ya tear the lower ball joint?

 

Following the directions from RevTek to separate that joint. Or rather, it's because I'm a dolt who has, in the course of a single evening, lost all faith in my ability to do this.

 

Should we start a rookie mistake fund?

On a serious note is it advisible to replace the boot or take to shop when alignment needs to be done?

 

I will probably need it soon too!! The fund I mean.

 

I personally would rather just take it to the stealership, and not take the chance of ruining anything else.

 

No, No sleep on it first. You will feel like a champ tomorrow. DOnt give up hope after loosing the first battle.

 

hahah ... look! hardly any replies!! i think they've given up on me!

 

Can ya take a quick pic of the torn section?

 

Wow!! I just read the update. I'm sorry you've got problems. Wish I could help

 

ANy progress this morning??

 

You can help me, one day when I get my kit It is supposed to be here next week sometime.

 

Sure, I'm there as long as its not that much of a drive. You said it was like 2 hours right?

 

I'm sorry that you're running into problems.

Please try to keep in mind that this has been done numerous times before by not-so-competent mechanics like me and quite a few others out there. Believe me it wasn't without a ton of frustration and wanting to give up time and time again. Figuring it out the first time without YTech wasn't a pleasant experience..

Keep plugging along and don't fret the broken boot. Just have it replaced when you get your alignment done. The boots are probably 3-6 dollars each. Shouldn't be a big deal.

Don't give up. You'll be proud of it when you're done and if you ever do it again, it'll be much easier the second time around.


Keep us informed,

Doug M.

 

Victor, I think it is more like a 4 hour drive from LA to where I live. SO it might be a bit too far.

DOug, did you have to remove the upper ball join to remove the strut with the XREAS system? Or did you also just push it down with the bottle jack?

 

Guys/Gas:

You don't have to remove the upper ball joint at all!!!! Doesn't matter what kind of suspension you have (xreas or otherwise).

 

Gays????

Just wanted to check what other people did, might be interesting. Haven't heard anything from 4route probably working hard.

 

No, I did NOT remove the ball joint.


I did not use my jack either. In fact when I went to remove my strut assembly I used a four foot long piece of steel tubing to pry the upper arm down just enough to give me wiggle room. I guess I could have used my bottle jack but the steel was handy and I only needed it for about 5 secs (plus I hate twisting that stupid bottle jack).

I hope it all is going ok, 4Route.

Doug M.

 

You're right its like a 5 hour drive. Its a little bit to much for me.

 

Hi guys. Well, I took a day off from working on it. Instead, I was able to see my bestest friend for a few hours (way more than we get during the week) ... we played guitar and she pushed on my lower back until it felt better, watched the storms come in so dark that all the trees glowed green, watched the doves sit on the eggs in their nest on her balcony, played .38 special loud, and had dinner out where we shared a flan. Anyway, my back is feeling better and is ready to get back out there and injure itself again for the sake of the lift ... so I will be waking up early tomorrow to start. This time, I will put the cotter pins back in, tighten up the nuts near the ball joints, and leave those things alone.

I will take more pictures, as I really am determined to do this. Thanks all you guys who replied -- I wish I had known to ask about the ball joints earlier ... but the directions told me to, so I didn't even think of questioning them. I will keep you all updated and if I have any more problems, I'll be sure to take pictures of the parts in question.

Thanks again ... for the support, encouragement, and advice. If I get this done, it will ONLY be because I had help from all of you.

 

4route:

You should use a new cotter pin.... I don't recommend you using the old one. Any other's just let me know.