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R34 Gtr Lower Control Arm Replacement And Ball Joint Issues

TILD34TH
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TILD34TH Apprentice

TILD34TH

Posted
Posted

Hi guys,

I've cleaned up a gutter in the R34 GTR and am replacing both of the front lower control arms. Only one of the control arms has both joints on it so I need to remove the joints off one of my existing control arms but am unable to get one of them off. I can get the inner ball joint off (the one with four bolts going through it, but the suspension ball joint side, the side that attatches to the knuckle, I simply cannot get the nut off it. When I rotate the nut it rotates the bolt, even tried to multigrips on the thread but still no luck. Any advice would be great!!!

I've completely removed the brakes and all suspension from one side so its literally an empty wheel arch and am attempting to put the new complete control arm (that came with both ball joints on it) on but am not having any luck. If I put the inner joint in first so thats the side with four nuts/bolts going through and then try and get the axel/pin through on the other side (remember no brake or knuckle on so only two sides to fit at the moment) I just can't get it in. I get it to like within a milimeter but the pin just won't go through, its like I need a guide attatched to the front of it to steer it through. If I do the reverse and put the axle/pin through first and then try to put the inner ball joint side on the four bolts simply don't line up. Any suggestions??

If anyone wants photos I'm happy to take some to assist with understanding this issue and apologise if my description is pretty shit, I'm far from being a mechanic...

GTRsean Grand Master

GTRsean

Posted
Posted

I know what you mean, done all that suspension work on a 32 and I am replacing some suspension bits on my 34 due to wear at the moment.

Put a small screwdriver through one end of the hole and manipulate to get the bolt through. It can be a pain. Also just put the inner ball joint on loose to start off with.

Just unbolt the balljoint from the hub, should be 2 nuts, with the busted arm still attatched. Spend $100-150 on a brand new ball joint, sorted.

Or you will need to hammer the control arm back into the ball joint to lock it into it's wedge, as they are wedged in (the balljoint and the control arm hole has a taper) when they are done up.

Then you can try to undo the nut again, with the thread liberally sprayed with WD40 etc.

Replacing the ball joint would be better and easier though, especially if it has had a big impact, I have seen ball joints fail with pretty bad consequences.

TILD34TH Apprentice

TILD34TH

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Ok so thats the problem I don't have the joint still on the arm, its completely off and thats why the nut won't come off.

Do you know where I could source a new ball jolint from if I need to as the impact was pretty bad???

I also need new sway bar links and have had trouble sourcing them any ideas??

I've got new rear lower arms and the other arms not sure their name so will be replacing those also, as well as coilovers. My problem is now that I just cannot get the rear coilover off, the bolt/nut is just on way too tight and simply budge. Looks like I need to get myself some decent tools and a big ass breaker bar.

Thanks heaps mate, I'll get back to you once I've had a chance to give it another go.

Much appreciated!!!

  • 1 month later...
GTRsean Grand Master

GTRsean

Posted
Posted

No probs. I usually go just jap online and they have ball joints available. Or nissan spare parts, just supply your vin number.

Electric rattle gun 240volt with 300NM torque makes short work of tight bolts and nuts. I think I got it from bunnings.

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