🔧 Impreza - Front Lower Ball Joint Replacement

The front lower ball joints connect your steering knuckle to the lower control arms and allow the suspension to move while you steer. If they’re worn, you may hear clunks over bumps, feel wandering steering, or see uneven tire wear.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours (both sides)

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Support the car on jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.
• 🧤 Wear safety glasses; rust and dirt fall straight down.
• 🔥 Let brakes/rotors cool before working near them.
• ⚠️ Do not pull on or overstretch the ABS sensor wire.
• 🔩 If parts are heavily rusted, stop before rounding bolts.

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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
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• Torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs range)
• 19mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 19mm wrench
• 14mm wrench
• Needle-nose pliers
• Hammer (16-24 oz)
• Ball joint separator tool (specialty)
• Ball joint press/puller for Subaru pinch-style knuckle (specialty)
• Pry bar (18-24")
• Wire brush
• Penetrating oil spray
• Bungee cord

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front lower ball joint - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Ball joint cotter pins - Qty: 2
• Ball joint pinch bolt and nut - Recommended - Qty: 2
• Anti-seize compound - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front lug nuts 1/2 turn with a 19mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• Spray penetrating oil on the ball joint pinch bolt area and the ball joint stud/nut area. Let it soak 10–15 minutes.
• Helpful question (answer if you can): Are you replacing one side or both sides? (Steps are the same; I’ll reference “repeat on the other side.”)

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the front end

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front of the car at the front center jack point.
• Set the car onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) at the pinch welds/subframe points.
• Remove the front wheel using a 19mm socket.

Step 2: Create working room at the knuckle

• Turn the steering so the side you’re working on points outward (gives you more access).
• If the brake hose/ABS wire feels tight while you work, support the knuckle with a bungee cord so nothing is pulled.

Step 3: Remove the ball joint stud nut from the lower control arm

• Locate the ball joint stud going through the lower control arm.
• Remove the cotter pin using needle-nose pliers.
• Remove the ball joint nut using a 19mm socket and breaker bar.
• If the stud spins, hold it (if possible) with a 19mm wrench while turning the nut with a 19mm socket.

Step 4: Separate the ball joint stud from the control arm

• Install a ball joint separator tool (specialty) between the control arm and the ball joint stud.
• Tighten the separator until the taper “pops” loose.
• A loud pop is normal.

Step 5: Remove the pinch bolt from the steering knuckle

• Find the pinch bolt at the bottom of the steering knuckle where the ball joint body fits into the knuckle.
• Use a 14mm socket and 14mm wrench to remove the pinch bolt and nut.
• Clean the area with a wire brush and reapply penetrating oil spray if it’s rusty.

Step 6: Remove the ball joint from the knuckle

• This joint is usually stuck from corrosion. Use a ball joint press/puller for Subaru pinch-style knuckle (specialty) to push/pull the joint out.
• If needed, apply light taps with a hammer (16-24 oz) on the knuckle ear (not the ball joint stud) while tension is on the puller.
• Once free, pull the ball joint out and remove it from the car.

Step 7: Install the new ball joint into the knuckle

• Wipe the knuckle bore clean using a wire brush.
• Apply a thin film of anti-seize compound to the outside of the new ball joint body (avoid the rubber boot).
• Insert the new ball joint into the knuckle fully seated. Use the ball joint press/puller for Subaru pinch-style knuckle (specialty) if needed to seat it straight.

Step 8: Reinstall and torque the pinch bolt

• Install the pinch bolt and nut using a 14mm socket and 14mm wrench.
• Torque to 45 Nm (33 ft-lbs) using a torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs range).

Step 9: Reconnect the ball joint stud to the lower control arm

• Guide the ball joint stud into the control arm. Use a pry bar (18-24") carefully if you need to line it up.
• Install the nut using a 19mm socket.
• Torque to 50 Nm (37 ft-lbs) using a torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs range).
• Install a new cotter pin using needle-nose pliers.

Step 10: Reinstall wheel and lower the car

• Reinstall the wheel and hand-tighten lug nuts using a 19mm socket.
• Lower the car using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Torque to 120 Nm (89 ft-lbs) in a star pattern using a torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs range).

Step 11: Repeat on the other side (recommended)

• Repeat Steps 1–10 for the opposite front wheel.
• Replacing both keeps handling even.

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✅ After Repair

• Turn the steering lock-to-lock and visually confirm the ABS wire and brake hose are not twisted or stretched.
• Road-test at low speed first. Listen for clunks and confirm straight tracking.
• Plan for a front-end alignment soon. Any ball joint work can change alignment.
• Recheck lug nut torque after 25–50 miles using a torque wrench (20-150 ft-lbs range).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $450-$900 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $370-$680 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?

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