[discus84]

Hi!
I've tried to replace the lower ball joint today and since it had been once replaced on my van(it is now mounted with screws) I thought it will be a piece of cake.
After taking the wheel off I realized that there's no way to use the press (rented from auto zone) since the power axle and its' hub don't leave the space for the tool, not even to take the old BJ out.I also didn't have the screw to unload the torsion bar.I'd like to ask couple questions:
1-is there a good manual for this car only states that you should take the whole arm off and take it to the shop to replace the part)
---what do I have to disasemble to take the old BJ out of the socket?
2-If I disassemble the hub is there anything I should be aware of (especially what special tools do I have to get )
3-how to unload the torsion bar-where to anchor the compression screw?
4-only the lower joint is bad , but does it make sense to replace the upper at the same time?
5-I got Duralast Ball joints, are there much worse than MOOG -should I rather install the latter?

thanks,
Luke

 

[maximus7001]

Don't touch the torsion bar for this. You have to undo the nut at the centre of the hub. You should change the upper ball joint at the same time since it needs to be undone anyway to get the axle out of the way. Once the axle is out of the way the bolts for the lower ball joint can be reached.

 

[Matrixx]

Hi discus84

With the extra amount of work to change the ball joints in the AWD vehicles, I would replace all of them with Moog. Moog has a good name and you want the best you can get. It's a tough job, and I'm sure you don't want to be going back in their in another year or two.