Ball Joint Install, Strut or Control Arm First Options

[DennisV]

What is the best approach for installing the ball joints? I have seen threads where folks install them to the struts first. I've also read where they have been installed to the control arm first. Haven't done this before, so I have no personal frame of reference.

So strut or control arm first? While on or off the car?

The front suspension is completely off our car, except for the steering rack. Trying to determine the best order of operations to minimize potential issues and grief. I have plenty of other challenges.

1970 914-6, if it matters.

Thanks.

[Superhawk996]

The more important thing to make install easy is to have the proper ball tool for the threaded collar.

I prefer to have the control arms on the car. That way you have something to torque against. That also allows me to use a jack to keep some upward pressure on the ball joint tool while I’m torquing the collar which keeps it from slipping off the collar.

I’ve never had a hoist or a lift table to install the whole front end as an assembly so that feeds my preference for piecemeal assembly.

[DennisV]

The more important thing to make install easy is to have the proper ball tool for the threaded collar.

I prefer to have the control arms on the car.

Thanks for the tip. I have the P280B Ball Joint Nut Socket made by Jimmy Tidewell.


So you do ball joint to control arm on the car? Then the strut.

As opposed to ball joint to strut off the car, then connect to control arm on the car.

I am probably overcomplicating it. I just have limited time with the car, so I try to plan everything in advance as methodically as possible.

[Superhawk996]

So you do ball joint to control arm on the car? Then the strut.

Yes. You will have to use a pry bar to lever the control arm down a bit to get the ball joint pin into the bottom of the strut but it’s really not hard.