How to Replace Lower Ball Joint and Control Arm Chevy Malibu
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ย. 2024
- *Check out the tools we used below. If the video was helpful, please give it a "thumbs up" and consider subscribing to the channel.*
This video goes over how to replace a lower ball joint /Control arm on a 2008 Chevy Malibu. This can be followed and applied for a 2008-2012 Chevy Malibu. It would be a similar process for both sides of the car. This is something that should be addressed as soon as it is detected. No matter the severity of breakage, the results can be catastrophic if a ball joint breaks. The suspension could collapse or the front wheel could fall off causing the vehicle to lose control. There are usually four ball joints on a car, two uppers and two lowers. It is also not usually necessary to have a front end alignment when replacing ball joints. Signs of a bad ball joint are clunking/banging from the front suspension, excessive vibration or the steering may wander to the left or to the right. This is something that can be checked anytime the front tires are off the ground to see if there is any excessive movement from top to bottom or left to right. If in doubt, definitely get a second opinion!
Tools needed:
Pickle Fork Set -- -- amzn.to/3gW7XVJ
Lower Control Arm and Ball Joint -- -- amzn.to/3h4MsSR
13 mm to 22 mm Sockets -- -- amzn.to/3vUQEbH
7/8 to 13/16 Sockets -- -- amzn.to/3gZg2c5
Ratchet -- -- amzn.to/3xVn3As
Extension -- -- amzn.to/3x5t0L6
Pry Bar -- -- amzn.to/3vZ42M9
Hammer -- -- amzn.to/3h8h8kR
Flat Head Screwdriver -- -- amzn.to/35UGNIr
Jack and Jackstands -- -- amzn.to/3x08o6N
Magnetic Tray -- -- amzn.to/3xYA7oF
Impact Gun -- -- amzn.to/2Tc5NrN
Four-Way Lug Nut Wrench -- -- amzn.to/3gWedN4
Parts:
Lower Control Arm and Ball Joint
These are the tools we used or something that was similar. There are many manufacturers and various prices. It's a good idea to buy the better tool with the best warranty and easiest exchange in case of tool failure.
Disclaimer:
The Auto Teacher assumes no liability for property damage or injury that happens as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Any information learned from this video is to be used at your own risk. The Auto Teacher recommends safety first! Protective gloves, safety glasses and jack stands are highly recommended. These tutorials are made strictly to help people with their car projects and are given to provide factual information we’ve learned over the past 40 years working on cars. We do not guarantee any particular result or any particular warranty. Any injury, loss or damage contained by the viewer while attempting to follow the video’s instructions is solely the viewer’s fault and not The Auto Teacher.
If All goes well tomorrow i shall be the hero to my daughters car trouble’s thanks for the confidence my man
Your Welcome, good luck !
Appreciate the video man first lower A arm I’ve replaced went in blind and this video 30 min later done test drove wheel is still on I’m alive thanks again
Awesome, glad it helped!
@@TheAutoTeacher I read into the other comments lol I just torqued the A arm in the air should I loosen back up put the weight of the car and then tighten everything back up
You can double check and tighten to factory specs if you’re worried about it, but I’ve never had a problem either way
I should just run it down for an alignment ? I have to do the driver side next week I feel a slight wobble on that side
@@phillipzelanick1308 You shouldn’t be feeling a wobble. Make sure the tires are balanced, check your outer tie rod ends and make sure all your bolts are tightened
Absolutely the best video I've ever watched I have to do this project this weekend now I'm very much looking forward to it
Glad it helped!
Thank you just did the driver side based on this video tomorrow I will do the passenger side, very helpful
You’re welcome. Glad it helped!
Awesome and super helpful video! Easy to watch! I feel ready to tackle my own Malibu now. Thanks brother
You’re welcome!
Hey Google work I enjoy the way you did I think you did a good job no putting that ball joint in and out you keep on doing good work thank you
You're welcome!
sr thankyou very much for your video it is really helpful..
You’re welcome!
Thanks for not Making it complicated
Glad it helped!
Looks simple if you have a lift. Doing it on the ground will be a little challenging
Much easier on a lift :)
@@TheAutoTeacher Everything is easier with a lift.
Excellent job.
Glad it helped!
Thanks 😊. Out in NM.
You’re welcome!
Great video thanks
You’re welcome!
Do you need to put a load on the suspension before putting on the last side bolts I’m just asking I saw a video and a guy did it do you really have to
I’ve done it both ways and then had an alignment and it doesn’t seem to matter either way.
I'm trying to put my boat back in the ball joint it won't go because it's hitting the ball joint itself do I need to turn the wheel certain way or what do I need to do
The ball joint has to move up or down so it's properly aligned.
I thought the arm bushings had to be tightened only after you let the weight of the car move the arm to its normal driving angle.
You could load the suspension to make sure it’s perfect when you tork it down to factory specs. In my experience with doing this on 50+ cars, I’ve never had a problem either way. A lot of these cars are taken for an alignment afterwards with no issues doing it this way, but the proper procedure would be to load the suspension. This is more to show the location and what is required to remove and install video.
Great video thanks, looks like your end links are completely gone.
You’re welcome!
Do you recommend to change the screws/Nuts taking advantage you are doing this job ?
If new bolts or nuts are supplied with a new part I use them. Otherwise, I usually use the old bolts or nuts unless they're extremely rusty or distressed, then I replace them.
@@TheAutoTeacher Thanks ! new Sub !
I have a 2000 Impala. Do you have to have a load on control arm before tightening it up?
I’ve done it both ways and then had an alignment and it doesn’t seem to matter either way.
How does the bolt behind the rotor hold the ball joint?
If you look at the ball joint on the video, it's actually slotted. The bolt goes into the groove to lock it in place and as you tighten the nut and bolt it pinches down on the ball joint itself.
Do you need an alignment after this install?
Not usually, but it is recommended.
Hey what size pickle fork did you use?
I don’t remember the exact sizes, it was in a kit. The smaller one was for the tie rod ends and the bigger one was for the ball joints. You can get a loaner tool from Advanced so you have the proper tool.
2017 trax
Sorry, not sure what you’re asking
En ezp?o, no pueden pasarlo por favor
Desafortunadamente, solo está en inglés. Si tiene alguna pregunta, puedo traducir el texto.
How much would you charge someone for that?
I'm actually retired and only do it for family members and a few friends. But on repair pal, it states that the average cost of a Chevy Malibu control arm replacement is between $493 and $530. With Shop labor rates now at $100-$120 an hour it's worth it to try to do it yourself and save some money if possible.
@@TheAutoTeacher the Mexicans down the street said $240...
Are they certified? And does that include the part and an alignment?
The part is around $60 online.
@@adamstitt-wl1wc u sure they were Mexican? Could they be,Dominicans,Puerto Ricans?
@@elcomandante9299 what? Because they're Mexican. Fuckin Karen... Just reachin trying to create something some PC bullshit. Go trade rice recipes with a Puerto Rican
U most def DO NOT WANT TO USE AIR ON YOUR LUGS LIKE THIS that is a great way to warp your spindle and cause a wobble in your wheel and lessen the life of said wheel components
I’ve done this for over 40 years and over 10,000 times and I’ve never had an issue once. Discount Tire also uses air and then hand tightens to torc specs. The only way you could actually cause damage is having your gun set way too high.
Lol what are you talking about. Literally every mechanic out there uses air to remove and installs lug nuts and then torque by hand. I do agree that I wouldn’t tighten them that much with the impact. I just seat them and when I have in the ground and put a little pressure then torque by hand
Come on man! If you ain't using an impact you ain't a mechanic- Joe ASE