Pivot joints

[Mattb_197]

How hard are the pivot/ball joints to replace on the hub carrier, is it do-able DIY?

I've done things like bushes, struts, springs before on other cars so am a pretty handy DIY mechanic, but I don't have access to a press.
Looking at it, the old ones can probably be drilled out if needs be but what about re-fitting? Is just popping the joint in the freezer over night going to shrink it enough to be able to fit into the carrier without some sort of press?

 

[Kazumz]

How hard are the pivot/ball joints to replace on the hub carrier, is it do-able DIY?

I've done things like bushes, struts, springs before on other cars so am a pretty handy DIY mechanic, but I don't have access to a press.
Looking at it, the old ones can probably be drilled out if needs be but what about re-fitting? Is just popping the joint in the freezer over night going to shrink it enough to be able to fit into the carrier without some sort of press?

You'll need heat, lots of it, to pop the old one out.

The setup is a bit mad on these cars. If you don't have access to a press, prepare yourself for some elbow grease. It's going to take a lot of hammering. Obviously don't hammer the joint directly, use something to hit and spread the load.

It's hard work if I'm honest. It's worth taking it to a garage but if you're prepared for some backache and have a ramp, it's doable.

 

[Chris]

Highly advisable not to press them out as the casing is alloy and breaks easy.

Instead they should be done with liquid nitrogen and then dropped out and in..

 

[Kazumz]

Highly advisable not to press them out as the casing is alloy and breaks easy.

Instead they should be done with liquid nitrogen and then dropped out and in..

Alternatively you could just heat the thing that's around it to expand the metal, rather than contract the ball joint.

Either way, you'll need heat or cold. It's a pig of a job too, need some good old elbow grease.

 

[Mattb_197]

Yeah from what I've read it looks to be a pig of a job. I could just take it to a garage but I'm guessing it's a good couple of hours labour per side, maybe more if they run into difficulties. Soon start to add up when you factor in the joints cost £80 each.

Deffo needs doing though, a funny creek has started to develop at low speed steering which I'm guessing is from them going off what I've read on here. Might just book a week off work so I've time in case of any issues or other bits needed. Need to service the front brakes too so may as well do that at the same time.

 

[Kazumz]

Yeah from what I've read it looks to be a pig of a job. I could just take it to a garage but I'm guessing it's a good couple of hours labour per side, maybe more if they run into difficulties. Soon start to add up when you factor in the joints cost £80 each.

Deffo needs doing though, a funny creek has started to develop at low speed steering which I'm guessing is from them going off what I've read on here. Might just book a week off work so I've time in case of any issues or other bits needed. Need to service the front brakes too so may as well do that at the same time.

I didn't have ANY sound when my ball joints were shot. My right side is KTEC's aftermarket joint and the left side is original, but will need to be done on the upcoming MOT. 22k Miles just to mention.

It took 2:30 hours to change one side. £80 for Ball joint, £150 for labour. Not bad. Could have been worse. They also did an oil change for me in there too so should be faster for you, but not by much.

 

[Mattb_197]

Yeah I think I'll do it myself, I'd rather do things like that in pairs anyway so deffo be the cheaper option to go DIY. It's a shame the entire carrier is so expensive with the joint already fit, otherwise I'd just buy two of those for a straight swap to make life a bit easier lol.

My car is low mileage for it's age but something like this I wouldn't expect to fail! It's usually the rubber bushes that perish first and they seem fine, must be a poor design!

Regarding the noise, it's only shown up over the past couple of days with all this rain about. Might be coincidence, but I've read a number of threads on here and elsewhere and other people had a similar noise when their joints went so I'm hoping it's that. Can't see it being anything else, I've only had the car a month and had it checked over before I bought it so I knew about a bit of play in the joints. Have to wait and see, need it to stop raining so I can have a good poke about.

 

[0191joe123]

Done mine myself the hardest part is trying to get the bottom balljoint bolt out as its a torx and just rounds off i had to weld a nut to it to wind it out

 

[montana]

Bolsover car care near Derbyshire replace them for £120 per side to sort the joint - price may well have changed though. You will find more details if you do a search on here. They are here https://m.facebook.com/Bolsover-Car-Care-512308945502693/

 

[Jimmy]

^^ Yeah they do a good job, I had mine done there earlier in the year. You need to give them some time to order the part in, but they are very efficient and they are Renault/RS specialists so they know their stuff.

 

[Mattb_197]

Result, just remembered I took out a 12 month used car warranty when I bought they car and reading through the documentation anything on the suspension side is covered except rubbers/bushes. Even says ball joints and swivel joints are covered in the small print! Didn't think they would be so might ring them up and see what the deal is. Be alright if I can get them to pay for the work, though they'll probably only replace one side. It seems to be the drivers side one with the most play in it.