Dodge Grand Caravan Lower Ball Joint - Part II

[@Usmanthemecano]

Love that you showed all the real footage. To all DIYers... This is what you can expect.

[@skingk2632]

If I was doing that in my garage, a day or two of soaking it with Kroil penetrating oil would have safely removed the shaft.

[@pookatim]

This is the thing about your videos. When I look at the title like this one, I first think "Lower ball joint? Won't be very interesting" but that is often a mistake. This was extremely interesting! So much more useful to watch than the kind other people post that are so heavily edited in that "step1-step2" fashion. For DYI types, this is far more important to watch. Your videos show what the procedure is usually like and lets us know not only what we may be getting ourselves into but a pretty good idea of how to get ourselves out of a jam. Well done!

[@SouthMainAuto]

+Pook Atim Well when I am the only guy here I need to get myself out of a jam often so why not drag ya along to right :)

[@kamdaddypurp69]

did she have to pay for the cv shaft replacement

[@larrywillis9589]

Safety glasses ?????????

[@billbenson117]

@@kamdaddypurp69 It's the Customers car..Why should Eric have to pay for it=Especially the part?? If Eric's tool EXPLODED would He charge the customer for the tool??==NO...Bill.

[@Ohm51]

@@kamdaddypurp69 Of course. It's not the mechanics fault that the CV axle wouldn't move within the expected tolerances ... it's the fault of the manufacturers assembly or design. If the customer has a problem with that she'd have to take it up with Dodge/Chrysler ... but I wouldn't expect the grievance to be particularly fruitful.

[@drvnucrzy]

I like the way you used the ratchet strap to pull the arm down for easy access to the ball joint very clever

[@jimdandy6472]

Thanks for taking the time to make your video's! I know it takes a lot of time to get the good camera shots, then edit and upload the videos, but your videos provide great detail for the do it yourselfers and help us save a lot of money.

[@SouthMainAuto]

+Jim Dandy YW , Thanks for watching

[@ddakota05]

It "neverseizes" to amaze me your quality workmanship and videos... awesome job as always Mr.O

[@Ap-nv1hk]

😂😂😂😂

[@alantorrance6153]

Mighty interesting task. Interesting??? Frustrating is probably nearer the mark, but I understand where you came from on this one, Eric. Happy Days are here again.......

[@jeffh4505]

As a shade tree/DIY guy, I appreciate seeing that even the pros struggle at times. Thanks for showing this side of things.

[@ronaldmorrison2765]

You often say at the end of your videos, "If I can do it, you can do it" but sometimes it is better if I pay someone like you to do the job for me. You have the tools and the knowledge for the job, I'd have to learn what tools I would need and then muddle my way through the job. The school of hard knocks sometimes has a very hefty tuition.

[@Gamingoodz]

Man I would LOVE to have a garage and lift.. I've had to do all my work in a gravel driveway. Lots of nights with a sore neck lol

[@GerryJ08]

I really like a happy ending. Outstanding job. I so appreciate you not editing out the trouble you had. I Learned how difficult an "easy" job can turn into. I also learned how to persevere and what to try and how to overcome. Thanks so very much.

[@SouthMainAuto]

+Gerry Jamieson It is the easy ones that get ya

[@Countryman8045]

I love it when you say, tongue in cheek, 'if I can do it you can do it'. I only wish. Another good video.

[@mixpick138]

Living in the rust belt myself, I can't believe I had to go back 8 years to see you deal with the infamous fused axle splines. To be honest, it kinda tweaks me when I watch your many vids and the axles just jump out for ya'. Lol Anywho, it's always a win when you finally get one to break loose! Thanks for sharing.

[@davidsewell3477]

To everyone who obviously didn't watch it properly he did use anti seize on the cv splines . so many people saying you should have used anti seize next time .. we are talking about Eric O here ??? he always does it properly.. good job Eric as usual

[@TYLERTRANCE]

Most are referring to the manufacturers. They SHOULD use some type of lubricant on the splines. But many just install them dry.

[@SEKI14000]

It is truly awesome to see a pro like you at work doing REAL repairs! I have learned a ton watching your videos! Also makes me appreciate living in the southwest a lot more and I no longer miss not having snow in the winter. ! I did the same repair on a 20 year old Caravan and there was zero rust.

[@Super-650]

That ratchet strap trick on the wishbones helped me do my Honda balljoints, cheers Eric :)

[@Lawdagreat]

Man! That Axle mopped the floor with you! I love your patience,honesty and love for the craft! 🙏 All praise the Repair Phophet

[@letzrockitrite8469]

If you can't do it... I can't do it.. :--)... but I can AND WILL keep watchin'... You're one of my favorite channels.. thanks so much for videoing.. be well South Main Man, Woman and Children !!

[@metalican6798]

First auto repair vid I've seen that you can watch and actually use the info to do the repair yourself...Many thanks Eric

[@primitivebob8781]

Truck owner lucky to have you bro. Real lucky.

[@philliplopez8745]

The secret to success , graceful recovery !

[@CrazyPetez]

Watching it April 4, 2019. I always enjoy watching Eric O’s tips and tricks. 👍

[@primitivebob8781]

Cool job. Clean shop and I had fun watching. Can't fathom the corrosion. Thanks for the video. The mountains in west Tx wish you well.

[@jassglenn8721]

I'm in Puerto Rico and never knew the difference in weather could be such a headache on cars, GRE At work though, first time watching, thanks, I'll probably never try this without the right tools....thx again!

[@petemiller3534]

I now know what waits for me when my 2013 Dodge Caravan needs lower ball joints. Thanks for the heads up.

[@Paul58061]

I just bought one of these Grand Caravans new- last year. As soon as my bumper to bumper warranty is over, I will take my front end apart and apply anti-seize compound to the splines of my CV axles. Thank you, for showing me future potential problems.

[@Echo024]

13:11 That’s a brilliant way to keep the axle from rotating as you torque the axle nut. I’m a DIYer and had always put the wheel back on (after removing the little center logo cover thing), then set the car on the ground, torque to spec, and then reinstall the plastic cap on the wheel. Your way seems a lot more ingenious and faster.

[@dannythompson6523]

As a DIY"er, I appreciate your honesty and loyalty to your customers Eric. I made the mistake of taking my nissan to a local shop for a alternator swap (had part), and after the repair, I was left with a car that 'died' after 6 miles. down the street. Wannabe mechanic never plugged it up...field coil...left my wheel well splash shield dangling and rubbing tire, and my windshield washer reservoir unbolted and putting its 'full of fluid"' pressure on the splash shield. Not to mention forgot to tighten the serpentine belt. Had to finish the other 'Repairs" myself. Shop refused to after coming back. Back to doing My Own work again...

[@floodway2955]

It's 2023 and I love coming across these videos. Just a though; I'm guessing the "never seize" on the original one didn't work. Nice

[@63256325N]

Stamped steel crap. You did a great job keeping your cool, hats off man. Thanks for the video.

[@cubleycat]

Great idea with the ratchet straps to hold stuff out the way. Sometimes a simple job becomes a real headache and costs a lot of time and money!

[@davemachoukas6175]

Try doing it without lift @ 65 yrs. Gonna get me a lift soon! Lol good job!

[@twichinthestreets]

U deserve every penny for this job, it was a pain in the ass! Respect for showing that some mechanics do real work to get peoples car fix, wish they had paid you twice AMAZING JOB!

[@robertl2476]

You do really well! Much better work than the dealers. Their flat rate system wold have never let you do the ball joint! Good Job!!! Bob from Brookhaven Long Island

[@richiev63]

Subscription earned! Changed the struts and calipers on my wife's '07 Grand Caravan after reviewing one of your videos. Great explanations and details.

[@diyguy1769]

Loved the video. I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia and we have a major problem with rust up here. I need to replace the lower ball joint on a 2003 Grand Caravan and I hope it goes smoothly. Your video was a huge help. I liked your use of the ratchet straps to keep stuff from flopping around. I got tons of them and I never thought of that.

[@skeeterbiltswitch2921]

Eric you are the MAN, with or without mistakes.... Awesome ---- Skeeter

[@blueocean9305]

Eric. Really like your genuine personality and the honesty of your channel. In my younger days I was a line mechanic. There is something therapeutic about watching your videos after a day at the office. It reminds me of the good times of panic,, tons of the unexpected frustrations, and the short lived victories I had as a mechanic. Even though I now work as an aerospace engineer, I’m forever a mechanic at heart. I think we will see the end of automobiles and mechanics as we have always known them. It won’t `take long and transformation the business will be more significant than the introduction of the PCU. Ford announced today an all electric F-150. Say What? Thanks for sharing a small part of your life. Best

[@rayrowe2664]

THEY NEED TO USE ANTI SIEZE AS ASSEMBLY LUBE

[@wyrtwister4260]

I was thinking that too . Wyr God bless

[@NoName-tz5ji]

Exactly!

[@nxxbox-hh8gu]

So true i do when i have to go that far

[@ColtaineCrows]

No manufacturer puts any lube on anything during assembly. Hell even if they'd just put some grease on that thing it'd have helped some, fuck even some flange sealant or something would've stopped some of the corrosion.

[@user-ut9ln4vd5m]

You know they don't want to make old cars _easier_ to work on, how would they sell you a new one then?

[@martinwalters1954]

Great instruction video. Patience and a sledge hammer..hahaha! Thanks for sharing. I have a 2000 Caravan that I'm getting ready to change not only ball joints, but stablizer links, bushings and possibly tie rod ends. Never done it before, but thanks to guys like you..piece of cake. I think. Haha

[@johnralston5818]

... Good Job, Eric... ball-joints are fickle sunsaguns... & dodge leads the way Thanks for the video, it makes me feel better about my inadequacies. ; )

[@thebandmcomputer]

Great video as always! Just remember - "Anything can be broken with a BIG enough Hammer"

[@cjn8730]

My 2012 Caravan is just now starting to show it's age mechanically and I'm glad I stumbled aboard to know what I can do to save time and money.

[@robertsantos286]

You are a straight up guy, god bless you, wish you the best

[@chomerly]

Damn that was a mission. What I have never understood about vehicle manufacturers is why they don't apply anti-seize to drive shafts as standard practice. Especially when it comes to vehicles that will mostly be purchased by people who live in areas with less than ideal climates. Great job as always.

[@SouthMainAuto]

chomerly Oh it would be awesome but could you imagine what it would add to the cost of assembly?

[@chomerly]

True. Though I wouldn't have thought that a small brushing of grease on driveshaft splines would add too much to the cost of a build. Then again, I suppose saving all the pennies you can in business counts.

[@SouthMainAuto]

oh you bet these manufactures do everything they can to save for sure...

[@ddakota05]

You would think they would since they use thread locker on fasteners...but I get it...time is money...gotta satisfy the bean counters

[@furdbarful]

At the present time I have 3 grand caravans to look after at work . Just replaced the oldest this year 03 with 452,508 miles on it . The ones I have now all 2012s with 191,000 , 280,00 and one with 360,000 . I've had the shafts stuck but never like that . I shall consider myself lucky after seeing this . Good job on fighting your way through that . Thank You for doing all these vids . wish there was a way to know how many tons of pressure was on that before it moved

[@thomasdavidson7057]

I’m Not a mechanic, but I really appreciate your hard work. I wish you would wear eye and ear protection. I’ve gone deaf in one ear due to loud noise and almost blind because of a metal shard. You have too many Beautiful people depending on you. Take care, you are terrific.

[@johnsmith-sw7ii]

I live in the PA Poconos so I feel your pain. Nice job!

[@2secondslater]

I use copper anti-sieze on everything here in Western Australia when reassembling parts on chassis, steering and suspension. Think of salt mixed with iron ore and water and red dirt and how things sieze up, don't want to have the same problem if the part needs to be taken apart again. Good on you for your tenacity and patience and tricks of the trade.

[@alanmatthews5949]

Jake Elliott Copper is great! I have a special mix here in Massachusetts where we mix the salt with sand then a gallon of liquid calcium chloride as a rust enhancer!!! I take 1/2 permatex silver anti-seize with 1/2 Lucas tacky red. Mix together and use this on everything. The Lucas does not wash out. The anti seize does not seize. Works great! Alan

[@jackdenial1500]

Best lower ball joint video I've ever seen; you cannot ask for anything better, procedures, run ins, pop up surprises, and the best part solutions. Keep up the good work. I enjoy watching every second and minutes of part 1 and 2. Plus a bonus added, how to take out an axile and replace it. LOL.. Now I feel like I'm ready for any surprise doing my 2012 T&C ball joint and lower control arm.

[@scottbell8173]

As a diesel mechanic for a well known trash hauler (no names so as not to infringe) I know the issues of rust and its demons...I'm in Michigan and deal with the salt and all the rust and corrosion...we have some days where we eat the bear..however most times the bear eats us...LOL! You gave it hell and your perseverance prevailed...LOL! NICE!

[@jeffbohn2576]

I'm proud of your work Eric O.!

[@simonstork9404]

Love your videos..it’s a warts and all kinda thang..way way better than those other instructional videos. Keep em coming Eric O.

[@jamespearce7954]

I respect your explaining the situation to the customer out of honest concern for the family's safety. I would hope that you might arrange some payment options if the family is having some hardship.

[@rodneymiller2883]

Now I see why a job like this made take so long. Thanks man!

[@normansmith7806]

The put back together went a whole lot better than the taking it apart. As always great video ! I have one of those jobs coming up but thankfully its a Southern vehicle. :)

[@SouthMainAuto]

***** Oh true story :)

[@quantumleap359]

Eric, you can do it, for sure, but I don't want to do it! I don't have a big enough sledge hammer!

[@johnmurphy9688]

Great come back Eric. You got er done in the end as per usual. Good man.

[@donooetomo5213]

SENANG MELIHATNYA .. .. MEKANIKNYA PROFESIONAL DAN TIDAK EMOSI TINGGI ALAT-ALATNYA KOMPLIT DAN SPECIAL TOOLSNYA KOMPLIT DAN CANGGIH APALAGI KALAU PAS SAATNYA MENCUNGKIL AS RODANYA LALU ADA BUNYI KLEKK .. GOOD JOB SMART JOB NICE RESULT GOD BLESS THE BEST

[@malcolmyoung7866]

Got myself one of the ball joint removing kits......now just looking for a some ball joints to remove...

[@Sean-John]

glad you got that cotter pin to fit! It Would suck to have to send back the ball joint just for that 🤣

[@seamusmurphy8366]

YUP SAME ISSUE HERE! New hampshire rust is worse!!. spent all night on one side! i put the silver junk on the splines this time ! and yeah... OH AND BY THE BY...this ball joint did in fact have a rusty, barely noticable. c-clip on inside...THANKS FOR THE COMPANY ERIC O!! misery loves company

[@62shalaka]

Really terrific video. What an eye opener for people about to undertake this project!

[@Tinker001]

That's it... Can't go back & watch old videos on this channel Brake Clean without the proper sound is wrong.

[@Jeffrey-yo4jh]

I feel your pain. I live in Pennsylvania and work on my own vehicle

[@DonBMW]

Been there Eric. Been there. Same thing happened with a 22 year old BMW rear bearing job. But plenty of PB blaster, an 8lb sledge and persistence was required for that axle shaft spline to budge. I know I had it when I heard that loud pop!

[@shawjoe71]

You're videos are all good but they've come a long way since 2015. Always entertaining though.

[@frankallenjr7251]

The Slo mo sledge hammer action was awesome! I work at a shop in florida. We get the snowbirds here during the winter and I work on my fair share of rusty brakelines and rusty suspension components. I cringe when I have to work on rusted crap. Lol

[@mq8294]

Very Awesome!!! Really appreciate your efforts in making these videos.

[@jgeorges3061]

HI ERIC, it is good to see that the insulation went ok with out any problem and I, think this van will come back soon for the other side great job and thanks for sharing.

[@SouthMainAuto]

j georges It is a dodge, you can bet the farm it will be back again... and again ..... and again lol

[@jeffchapman8992]

beauty! ... nicely produced ... great patience and happy you walked through it giving a layman an inside (behind-the-scenes) view of the life in the garage.

[@SouthMainAuto]

+Jeff Chapman Well it's not always pretty but it is what I do :)

[@rancelynch6514]

Nothing is easy! Great job...good & honest mechanic.

[@kenman1717]

Great end result. Looked like it was going to be a battle there for awhile, but it only took you 41 mins and 29 seconds so it couldn't of been that bad. lol. I know it took longer than that, and that it was a battle. Have had many of those before. At least you don't have some one yelling at you, telling you it shouldn't take that long to do a ball joint or getting pissed that you damaged the axle. But your doing the job, know whats going on and how difficult it has become.

[@SouthMainAuto]

kenman1717 If some one was barking at me I would put the wheel on back it out and let it be there problem because it would be obvious to me they could do it faster and better so why waste my time. Lol you might see I don't work well with others if they were just yelling. I have never seen that make things go any smoother...

[@kenman1717]

South Main Auto Repair I wasn't necessarily talking a customer either, more like an employer, but you work for yourself so you don't have to deal with that. I have wanted to do that many times, but I kept it to myself. I have seen to many good techs get fired for a managers stupidity. It gets very frustrating when they yell and put a lot of pressure on you, when things are beyond your control. Your right things don't go smoother at all. When everything is calm, and everyone stays in a good mood things go a lot smoother.

[@phillully4472]

Looks good again... some jobs are a real bogger for sure!

[@tonyrum5808]

You definitely are suffering from the rust creep! Looks to me that cars/trucks only lasts couple of years out there!! I don't envy your environment! Here in NV it is a different world!! Kudos

[@timstanford3443]

I sure hope you guys up north get extra for all that extra work!

[@laohantun7404]

you are awesome....another happy customer....

[@yz8302]

It is great that you cleaned the splines. for somebody who doesnt want to touch the axle you can undo the nut until it hits the axle shell. if the ball joint spins while undoing the nut then use fork to prevent ball joint from spining. from the video you can see the space bt ball joint top to axle shell is plenty. you should be able to undo the nut almost all the way out even it is jam nut it shouldnt be too tight at that point. for cleaning the splines i would recommend using drill powered wire brush. it is easy and fast. spyay acdelco penetrating fluid from back og the axle might help.

[@jamespitt5098]

it's kind of the fun part of working on vehicles, the only thing to expect is nothing is gonna work the way it should. like kids no car is similar. like you vids bud your showing what real world mechanical work is like

[@SouthMainAuto]

Thanks James

[@theroadworrior1]

Very interesting video most of it is well thought out and procedures are pretty much standard. My only comment is that as a technician we have to assume that others will try to duplicate what we're doing and one of the things you have to understand is the importance of wearing safety glasses. The last thing I want to see is a young individual trying to get into our trade and find himself with an eye injury. The rest of your video thumbs up you show the importance of patience and the sometimes need to walk away.👍

[@jamesavery8939]

I live in ohio and we have big time rust too/ You gotta be a hammer swinging warrior to work on car!

[@williambeauchemin9536]

Yes! I am. You did your best, there was no way to get that Barring out without having to put a new axel in. Great job!!

[@briancorbett793]

what I don't understand is how Eric is not cursing the whole time. When I run into something like this..i let the F bomb fly hardcore...well done sir

[@andrewshanewarkentin]

He's a respectable gentleman. Lol

[@jamesu]

@@andrewshanewarkentin I believe he is a respectable gentleman and the power of editing!

[@mikerobbins5049]

It’s stuff like this that makes me glad I have a good mechanic to take my vehicles to.... we get a lot of used vehicle out of Michigan that have the same issues that you face.... RUST...

[@SSMan-jo6tf]

Was just helping a buddy on his Nissan Armada rear,we could NOT get the axle out PERIOD. WE RENTED THE $400 tool from the auto parts store,broke that! Luckily the bearing wasn’t sloppy yet. Could not buy a new axle anywhere so how far down the rabbit hole we could go was limited to “can’t chance ruining the axle”! We will meet again I’m sure

[@AlexBrowningPX]

Gotta love when an easy job throws you a curve ball. Happens to be often living in a salt state. I never come to a job without my torch and some hammers

[@jbyrd3304]

you seem like you care about your customers! Great video!!!!

[@ionracer24]

Exactly why i went into business for myself..cause F*** flag time...Nice ending stellar reassembly

[@wilahinely]

I’ve owned a couple of vehicles that spent time up north. The main tools needed to work on them were cutoff wheels, saws all’s, and torches. Never again!

[@LayZeeDawg]

Thanks for the videos Eric. I'm looking at doing this job on my 2006 with 100K hard NYC miles on it. Hopefully it wont be as rusty as you upstaters get to see but I took some valuable tips the most important is dont spend an hour trying to save a hundred dollar part.

[@MrNeild123]

Spend hours watching your videos keep it up man.

[@davidrobins4025]

Glad that job is done!

[@heavyset0223]

Living in AZ is a blessing I am realizing. Put a new wheel bearing hub on my 2001 Silverado. 15 year old original one literally fell in my lap as I backed out the last bolt.

[@SouthMainAuto]

+heavyset0223 I see that if the vehicle is less than 1 month old lol

[@bobreese4807]

I just found out about Fluid film spray yesterday. I am thinking of spraying any metal areas/parts reworked on my suspension. I have noises in front and am told it is due to sway bar bushings and bad sway bar links..so am learning about noises. Good videos..just saw Part 1

[@christopherdherman1518]

I admire your attention to detail.

[@Willy7212]

Wow! I had to watch it from start to finish. I feel bad for you, because you must have lost money on that job.I sure hope you don't have too many ignorant jobs like that too often in the future. Your videos are excellent. Cheers

[@michaelherbert8213]

Thanks for the video. I've bent a few control arms with a press. Forget about using a shop press, I think they make control arms out of aluminum foil nowadays, lol.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Michael Herbert That is what I say, they get lighter all the time.

[@alankenworthy9722]

Great video, very useful to me. But I don't really understand why he had to knock the shaft back; why was it not possible to just undo the nut and lever out the ball joint ? I will have to watch it again!

[@jimstevens849]

Good Vid. I am doing lower ball joints on 2009 Chev Uplander.Have same problem. Shaft rusted in. Puller on it now with penetrating oil. May have to use hammer/sldege.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Jim Stevens When in doubt get a bigger hammer :)

[@allyoop8879]

My '02 Olds Silhouette Van is 17 years old, 143k on the clock and doesn't have any major rust. A side light bulb socket rusted out because rainwater always fell on it like a waterfall due to GM didn't design the hood properly. It has never been north of Georgia. I think the PCM is having a problem but....

[@sirsweetness8332]

Did an axle on this same year and model today. I never seized the outer splines. 20 minutes out and 20 minutes in. I am in the rust belt also. Got lucky. I told owner it was good that it was not seized. He didn’t understand...he needs to watch this.