Nissan Repair: Ball joints 1997 Sentra, ball joints, ball joint

Question
Hello.  I need to replace the lower ball joint on my 1997 Sentra.  I have never replaced ball joint before.  Any help will be greatly appreciated.  How do I go about it and do I need any special tools?

Thanks, John

Answer
John,

It is a pretty simple job but you will need a ball joint removal tool.  Now, if you bought lower control arms with the joint already installed it would be a matter of a pickel fork to remove the ball joint from the spindle and then installing the new lower control arm.  If you do the whole control arm you will have to unbolt the pivot points at the frame.  If you do the ball joint itself you will have to remove one and install the other.  Also, if you do not mess with the strut where it connects to the spindle you will not need to do an alignment.  You are going to need a jack and stands to hold the car up while you do the work.