which things will make me have to do an alignment immediately after doing them ? rack along w/ outer tie-rods? upper control arms w/ balljoints? lower balljoints? or none at all?


is it absolutely necessary to really have to remove the whole knuckle to replace new lower ball joints?? or is there a way around it or a trick? i am putting new balljoint so i don't mind ruining the old one to get it out, just would be nice to keep knuckle in if possible.


do i really need to replace the upper balljoint also?
because it is'nt blown out or torn like the lower balljoint bushing, it seems pretty solid, same with the upper arm it does'nt have play or anything either when grabbing and trying to move, its just solid.

are there any
places where i have to put marks for where something was before for alignment reasons like near upper arm or anything?

thanks for any answers, these were just my final things i wanted confirmation on before starting and ordering parts.

steering rack and outer tie-rods are the main important things i need to replace and even know its good to do upper/lower balljoints at the same time, i might pass just cause it will take more time and i am in a total transition of moving to a new place and this is just a distraction and i just want to get it done with.

 

well, technically an alignment should be done when changing anything, but i don't do it unless i mess with the rack/tie rods, and my car doesn't go through tires.

if a balljoint's good, and it's boot isn't torn, it doesn't need to be replaced. sometimes a good idea, though, but if you've priced those upper ones, well, you know what i'm talking about.

another thing to remember, is not all brands of replacement balljoints are equal quality.

 

thanks for the opinion/info

would you happen to know if it is necessary to remove the steering knuckle in order to put in a new front lower balljoint? (not talking about the outer tie-rod one, the other balljoint at end of LCA)

if i can just do outer tie-rods and rack without having to do the lower balljoint it would be much easier, only reason i am thinking i have to do lower balljoints is cause the bushing is torn apart, they also have no cotter pin in the catle nut, but i was wondering if i skipped doing them and just put a cotter pin would it be safe??

cause if i can just do the rack and outer tie-rods then its so much easier, i just wish i knew if its really necessary to do the lower balljoints??

 

If they're busted, and you're already in there replacing stuff, then YES do the lower balljoints. I always remove the hub and bring it to a shop with the new balljoints and have them pressed in, unless you've got the skills to punch out & reinstall them yourself.

I'm guessing your axle is seized into the hub? Why don't you want to take them off?