I created a thread awhile back about my Daughter slamming my 500HO into a tree.

SHe took out the left front a-arm, tierod, ball joint and pulled the driveshaft out.

I replaced the A-Arm and tierod (ends were fine) But now Im wondering, how does the ball joint attach to the bottom of the shock tower?

Also, whats the best way to re-insert the driveshaft?

ANyone know? I have pics I can attach if it is necessary. Thanks.

 

the ball joint is kinda pressed into the strut. take the two allen screws out and remove the plate and viola there's the joint. if there is any part of the stud left you may be able to put vise grips on the old joint and tap the joint out. a LITTLE heat on the strut HELPS,just remember that it is a soft metal.
you didn't state what year ,i take it the cv joint came apart??

 

Thanks 4getful2. Its a 2005. THe CV joint didnt come apart, it just pulled the shaft out of the tranny.

I dont know how she did it, but it didnt harm the headlight or any of the plastic. I think she was turning when she hit the tree and just hit the wheel which pushed everything back.

When I put the shaft back in is there a clip or something?

Do I need to grease the shaft when I push it back into the tranny?

THanks.

 

yes thers is a clip on the end of shaft and use anti-sieze on the splines, like he said you will have to heat the bottom of strut housing with a propane torch, put vise grips on the ball joint stud and hit the vise grips to pull ball joint,get a deep socket that fits the base of new joint and tap it back in while strut is still hot.