🔧 Ball Joints - Replacement

Assumption: Front lower ball joints on your Outback. These are usually serviced with the front suspension knuckle and lower control arm area. This job needs careful separation and reassembly so the alignment stays as close as possible until a proper alignment is done.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Support the vehicle securely on jack stands before removing any suspension parts.
• Do not work under a car supported only by a jack.
• The steering knuckle can shift suddenly when the ball joint is separated.
• Use a proper ball joint separator, not a hammer on the control arm.
• Front suspension work will usually require a wheel alignment after repair.
• If the ball joint uses a cotter pin, replace it with a new one.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 14mm socket
• Breaker bar
• Ratchet
• Torque wrench
• Ball joint separator (specialty)
• Pickle fork (specialty)
• Needle-nose pliers
• Hammer
• Penetrating oil
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front lower ball joint - Qty: 2
• Cotter pins - Qty: 2
• Ball joint mounting hardware - Qty: 1 set if required

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
• Lift the front of the vehicle and support it with jack stands under approved lift points.
• Remove the front wheels.
• Spray penetrating oil on the ball joint fasteners and let it soak.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the vehicle

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front of the vehicle.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the proper support points.
• Remove the front wheels with a 19mm socket.

Step 2: Access the ball joint

• Turn the steering wheel for better access if needed.
• Locate the lower ball joint where the control arm connects to the steering knuckle.
• Clean the area with a rag so the fasteners are easy to see.

Step 3: Disconnect the ball joint from the knuckle

• Use needle-nose pliers to remove the cotter pin if equipped.
• Remove the ball joint nut with a 17mm socket or 19mm socket, depending on fastener style.
• Use a ball joint separator (specialty) to separate the stud from the knuckle.
• If needed, use a pickle fork (specialty) with a hammer to break the taper loose.
• Do not hit the threaded stud directly.

Step 4: Remove the ball joint from the control arm

• Use a 14mm socket or 17mm socket to remove the ball joint mounting bolts, if your version uses bolts.
• If the ball joint is pressed or riveted in, additional removal steps may be required.
• Support the knuckle so the axle and brake hose are not stretched.

Step 5: Install the new ball joint

• Position the new ball joint in place.
• Install the mounting hardware by hand first.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the mounting bolts to Torque to 37 Nm (27 ft-lbs) if bolt-style hardware is used.
• Insert the stud into the knuckle.
• Install the castle nut and tighten with a 17mm socket or 19mm socket to Torque to 49 Nm (36 ft-lbs), then continue only enough to align the cotter pin hole if needed.
• Install a new cotter pin with needle-nose pliers.

Step 6: Reinstall the wheel and lower the vehicle

• Reinstall the wheel with a 19mm socket.
• Lower the vehicle using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Torque to 88 Nm (65 ft-lbs) for the lug nuts.

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✅ After Repair

• Test drive slowly and listen for clunks or pops.
• Check that the steering wheel is centered.
• Inspect the ball joint area for any looseness or abnormal movement.
• Schedule a front-end alignment as soon as possible.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$700 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $80-$220 (parts only)

You Save: $270-$480 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.