HOW TO: Replace Worn Ball Joints!

In this video I'll be replacing a worn upper ball joint on a 1997 Nissan D21 with over 300k miles!
Thanks for watching!

[@Damnsun720]

I'm not going to lie these older pickups seem way easier to work on than newer cars. Good Job man

[@springboardinspiration4733]

I’m a chick and you just taught me what no one else has been able too. Thank you. I’m going to use the entire time I’m changing the out.

[@faisal3398]

One of the best channels I have come across in a long time, I'm on board for any more hardbody/frontier content, we're not a big community but whatever plans you might have be it bigger brakes, 5-lug swap, coilover swap, IRS or multi-link rear trust me the community will be all over it.

[@FixitBongbong]

Wow thanks for the compliment! I guess I'll have to post more videos of the D21 then... Thanks for watching!!

[@nightrider591]

This guy is very very good and he knows what he is doing and talking about.

[@FixitBongbong]

Hahahah man I don't know about all that, but I do appreciate the kind words! Thank you.

[@joshm3563]

Great vid man! Definitely helped me do mine. I will say, I have NO idea how you did that little trick to get the upper BJ's out 😂 I had to unbolt them from the upper control arm, put a torch on them, put a puller on them, air hammer them relentlessly, beat the puller with a sledge relentlessly, and FINALLY they'd pop. I don't even live in the rust belt, either!

[@FixitBongbong]

Oh wow! and not even in the rust belt?! Are you near the coast or salt air? That's interesting. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@williamdejeffrio9701]

Extremely well-done! I will be doing this on my 1985 720 very soon.

[@calraise6460]

Sincere thank you. Working on one now.

[@brandonlachance7899]

My hardbodys uppper ball joint is leaking from the boot, this video was super helpful!

[@Oscar-lo4fh]

Well explained man I appreciate it every step keep up the good work

[@FixitBongbong]

Thank you so much and thanks for watching!

[@brolysfunplace2066]

The background music🤗

[@danredmon1564]

Great camera work

[@FixitBongbong]

Appreciate it! Thanks for watching!!

[@derekc6713]

Thank you for the video, very clearly defined. Can you share with us the torque spec for the castle nut and the bolt to the knuckle?

[@jaimesustaita285]

sway bar links were missing rubbers,those also needed replacing.

[@FixitBongbong]

Good eye! Eventually got around to replacing the links and bushings. Thanks for watching!

[@jeepsblackpowderandlights4305]

Wish it was this easy on my 89 Grand Wagoneer. 99% of the process is removing 200 parts from the inner outer andspindle bearings and all that fun stuff.. and then getting the pressed on joint out of the nuckle

[@FixitBongbong]

Yeah I hear ya, definitely more work involved on that d44. Wish I had a grand waggy tho! Great truck!!

[@andys1prayer]

I had my lower passenger side ball joint pop out of the housing just like yours did was on a curvy mountain road with almost no pull offs luckily it popped off and I grinded to a halt in front of a trailer park pull off, I can confirm you have almost no steering

[@FixitBongbong]

😬😬😬Stan sir.. I'm glad you lived to share. That's horrifying!!

[@Chevy-hw6lw]

I would probably give my left nut to be able to work on parts lacking such a minor amount, if any, of rust. Here in MN, there no way in hell you can do these jobs without 4 gallons of pb blaster and a torch, and/or cutting wheels .

[@FixitBongbong]

Bahahahahaha 😂 I feel for you bud.. Cars are relatively rust free around here. 2 hours north is where they start to get a bit more rusty. I do love the smell of PB blaster though.. Cheers!

[@zdd22fixes47]

I have a 03 Navara in Australia that looks brand new underneath! I couldn't live in the snowy parts with the rust issues it causes..

[@PS3rulls]

Torque spec on castle nut?

[@aros007z]

Great informative video, thanks!

[@FixitBongbong]

You're welcome!! Thanks for watching!!!

[@nicholsjoshua15]

You're the man!

[@joeshoe6184]

Great video man! Now I need to find one that does lowers...

[@FixitBongbong]

The lower ball joints on the 2wd d21s are part of the control arm assembly, unfortunately you have to replace the control arm to do the lower ball joint.

[@-n_hunter8403]

torque specs for 4 bolts and castle nut? upper and lower plz thank you

[@fivestarhemi2877]

Everything does not always need to be torque specs😐 google it if you really want it that bad

[@Khg72]

Excellent video only thing missing are the torque specs numbers very important. But I subscriped and liked. Greetings from Aruba

[@amayabenitez7889]

Thanks for the information

[@foghornleghorn8674]

The whole front end is toast

[@johngreene6783]

I, personally, have never seen an upper balljoint that bad LOL

[@FixitBongbong]

Neither did I until I made this video! 😂

[@amthevision8931]

Did a pair on my father’s mazda 3, ‘08 and they were pretty BAD. Over 3/8” of in and out play? Crazy.

[@johnsisney7105]

Good job...gotta dig the elevator music and bluegrass...led zep for me Cleatus...

[@FixitBongbong]

Nothing will come close to led zep. If KZbin would allow me to use LZ without copyright claims I would!

[@FreeThinkingperson]

I have same truck with 165k on it been a very good truck.

[@FixitBongbong]

She's barely broken in. Mine is still running well at 329k.. got some future videos planned soon!

[@Chris-kq7ko]

were just gonna use a big ass hammer lol

[@johnsmith-sk1ep]

great video but I want my royalty for using my truck and also some explaining to do about how you got in my garage and did this without me knowing ..... :-)

[@FixitBongbong]

Hahha.. sounds like my girl has a doppelgänger! I've had this D21 since 2006.. now has 335k on the clock. If you're into D21 content I actually have some update videos coming out shortly. Check back in a few weeks or subscribe and stay tuned!

[@scootergem]

Smart, very smart. Good job.

[@FixitBongbong]

Thank you!

[@aut0mat0r]

Holy...that thing was wasted! I'm guessing that hitting a pothole would send you into the next lane.

[@FixitBongbong]

...definitely gave me chills

[@ByronRamos_]

Great video. Hope is that easy on my D22. 👌

[@FixitBongbong]

Shouldn't be too different, thanks for watching!

[@danielmcdonald6148]

I’m looking at doing these on my D22, the ball joints press fit rather then bolt on. Service manual recommends replacing the whole link but as far as I’ve seen they can be pressed out.

[@ByronRamos_]

@@danielmcdonald6148 Yup. Got all 4 replaced and noticed that it was a completely different design.

[@dannysautorepair]

Great video brother.

[@FixitBongbong]

Thank you!!

[@one1onetime935]

New subscriber! Love my hardbody!

[@FixitBongbong]

Thanks for subscribing! You've stumbled across some of my much older videos! I love the heck out of my d21.. but lucky for you, I'm planning on new d21 content soon. Thanks again!

[@one1onetime935]

@@FixitBongbong Sweet!

[@atlred]

Diversified music 🎶, I was jamming to all of it while taking note 📝 of the repair process.

[@lifeinnorthcarolina4770]

What kind of grease you use to fill the ball joint????

[@FixitBongbong]

I like to use Mobil 1 Synthetic Grease. Any grease specified for use on chassis or joint parts will work!

[@lifeinnorthcarolina4770]

Fix it Bongbong thank you for your response.

[@lifeinnorthcarolina4770]

@@FixitBongbong also I want to say Thanks for the great video as you make changing upper ball joints on a 1993 Nissan Hardbody look very easy. As now I have the encouragement to change them once it warms up where I lived at now. And another thing some of these Auto Shops where I lived at was going to charge me from $350.00 to $500.00 just to do the work plus aligned the vehicle.!!!!!!!!!!

[@FixitBongbong]

Thank you for the compliment!! It's a fairly straight forward job, you will still need an alignment after you replace the ball joint yourself. Please feel free to ask any additional questions once you start your project!

[@juanseminario7287]

what is the torque ? on all bolts

[@FornoDan]

Just an ooga

[@lewisonthetrack1042]

Can u do a video for the lower ball joint on this truck.. I got the exact one & im planning on doing the upper & lowers on both sides on tuesday

[@FixitBongbong]

Eventually when my lowers go I'll do it, but I don't anticipate them going out before Tuesday. FYI you will need to replace the lower control arms as the lower ball joints aren't replaceable on the 2wd models.

[@floody79]

@@FixitBongbong I know this is forever down the track, and I don't know about availability in the USA, but for sure the lower ball joint is replaceable; I've done it and I'm going to do another this afternoon. Just be aware most of the OTC balljoint presses are tall and you need to get the truck up quite high to use one of those, mine needs an easy foot or so clearance below the arm, and when you think about how low it sits at full droop, you're talking about lifting the truck the better part of two feet. It will fight you reassembling because that arm is connected to the torsion bar, so unless you want to really complicate the job you have to jack things to try and get the balljoint shaft back into the spindle. Still easier than swapping the arm though if the inner bush is serviceable.

[@lightworrior4401]

Thank you for the video....keep it. God bless

[@ironfistarrival]

Hi there , it all ball joints are this easy to take out or to install , we need ball joint Remover tools to remove and the press them inside their place ....right ?

[@FixitBongbong]

Hey there! It all depend's on the vehicle. On my truck the upper didn't require any special tools, while the lower isn't replaceable. Some vehicles will require the whole control arm to be replaced, some require the use of a press. What kind of vehicle are you working on?

[@ironfistarrival]

@@FixitBongbong Hello there , my car is Hummer H3 , i intend to change the Lower Ball Joint , and it needs tools to remove it , upper ball joint is attached to the Upper Arm and needs to change the Upper Arm all together , i know your car's Ball Joint is very easy to change it's BJ so i just wrote it to say not all cars are like that you were working on .... Marami Salamat ! thanks ..

[@FixitBongbong]

@@ironfistarrival Ah yes! Salamat!!

[@MrSilvernblackblood]

@@FixitBongbong the lower ball joints can be pressed out with a press kit.

[@LRGDuran]

When your ball joints give out. We call that the “ka-chow”.

[@FixitBongbong]

LOL

[@josepicado9267]

Excellent video, more information of the pick ups 21...

[@FixitBongbong]

Oh it's coming soon cause that truck just failed VA state inspection :-p

[@josegalvarado9591]

Good afternoon. Excuse me, with Your Makita Impact Wrench Can You loosen and tighten the 24 wheels nuts (all the four wheels nuts) without changing the battery? Thank You. Great Day.

[@FixitBongbong]

Sorry for the delayed response here.. but yes actually. I can loosen all 24 lug nuts on my d21 with no issues and still have plenty of battery remaining. Please note though.. the makita tool I'm using is an impact driver and not actually an impact wrench.. so I believe most people and the manufacturer would say I was misusing the tool. That being said.. I used it for lug nuts for 4 years until I finally bought a dedicated impact gun and the tool still works great!

[@josegalvarado9591]

Thanks a lot. I think I will get one makita impact wrench. Good evening.

[@georgie_the_cockatiel4232]

awesome video!!

[@FixitBongbong]

Thank you!!

[@jaimesustaita285]

u bet, thank u for videos and reply!!

[@mazdaman1286]

Just one question.. when did you first notice that it was worn ....?

[@FixitBongbong]

Great question! I first suspected something when I heard a clunking noise coming from the front driver's side of the truck. I've own this truck for a while, so having replaced ball joints in the past I had an idea that was most likely it.

[@nvfpv]

Hi, I am looking to replace my ball joints however after looking online there is an "Upper" and "Lower" Ball joint. Whats the difference and are both needed for this replacement? Also which type of ball joint did you use in this video? Thank you so much and great video!

[@FixitBongbong]

Great question! The difference is actually best described in their names, where in a double wishbone style suspension there are two ball joints used to locate the spindle. The upper resides above and the lower.. below. In my particular video the upper is replacement, while the lower requires a complete replacement of the lower control arm. If one is bad, you should definitely check the condition of the other (if you have two). In my instance I only had to replace the upper. Vehicles with a MacPhearson strut style suspension will only have a lower ball joint.

[@nvfpv]

@@FixitBongbong thanks a lot! I appreciate it.

[@jrock-xs9vp]

Great video tks much what lbs psi did you torque those bolts

[@bryancinches8967]

Sway bar bushing is dead too

[@FixitBongbong]

Everything is dead on the truck 😂

[@davebrown9962]

Yours is a 2WD, anything different for a 4WD Model?

[@FixitBongbong]

I'm fairly certain the upper joint removes the same for 4wd models, but I could be wrong. On 2wd models the lower joint isn't removable and you have to replace the whole control arm, while I believe the 4wd models are replaceable.

[@gliderarts3573]

replaced control arm w/ ball joint extra nut left over?....... I don't know where it goes

[@Gouveia96792]

I enjoyed your video. I am trying to figure out what is causing my vehicle to feel like it has space or slips when making right turns before it grabs or engages in turning. Any Ideas would be awesome.

[@FixitBongbong]

Thanks for watching! Unfortunately that could be a variety of steering/suspension items. What style steering system do you have, rack and pinion or pitman arm/steering box?

[@Gouveia96792]

@@FixitBongbong Steering box. 1997 GMC 1500 truck

[@victornaja7927]

Do you have a video showing how to replace front caliper on 1995 d21 2wd 4 cylinder

[@FixitBongbong]

Sorry, I don't :(

[@gliderarts3573]

Mine sounds like that but its not the ball joint.....hmmm? D21 1994 4 cyl... When making a left turn on certain streets...

[@scottmason7129]

You need to do some sway bar end link bushings or is that for extra flex?

[@FixitBongbong]

king of the RTI ramp

[@TheFuentes795]

Hello quick question sir This is the lower Ball joints or the Upper ? Thanks

[@FixitBongbong]

I replaced the upper in the video. Unfortunately on this model truck you can't replace the lower ball joint, you have to replace the entire control arm assembly.

[@TheFuentes795]

@@FixitBongbong.ok thank you very much.

[@yamilehtrivera3935]

Está muy bueno,por favor hacer uno de cómo se cambia la rótula de abajo , muchas gracias

[@FixitBongbong]

Muchas gracias Alexander. Mi espanol esta no bien pero penso tu preguntando acera de el otro rótula?

[@austinfarley4971]

This would be easy except for me there’s a cv boot in the way. I was hoping not to take that off. Hoping my roommate mechanic has a special tool to not take it off.

[@trevortrillion6037]

40 years working on my own cars, I've NEVER seen a ball joint that bad. The truck must have been swerving down the road. No reply necessary.

[@FixitBongbong]

Surprisingly.. she drove straight.. Thanks for watching!

[@thrashingmetal]

cotter pin only bend one over the bolt like you showed, the other one it should be left straight, stress engineers say so.

[@hermanjohn1276]

How do I find it what torque is required for the parts?

[@tmulliganii01]

I guess I understand why they use pressed in joints now, this thing wore to pieces being bolted in

[@pollydor07]

Thanks

[@FixitBongbong]

Welcome!!

[@tyejamian5047]

Quick question what’s the bushing called that the spindle drops into ? My ball joint seem fine but that bushing is shot.

[@FixitBongbong]

The lower ball joint? The spindle is held in place by an upper and lower ball joint. In the video I addressed the upper, but the lower can look like a bushing? Or do you mean the rubber stopper between the control arms? That's the bump stop.

[@GK-ju7ux]

Are those 16" Pathfinder rims?

[@gliderarts3573]

my mevtech ball joint stripped greass fitting n its dry in box.......thanks ebay....

[@beardedg500]

Hello ..what did you do with the torsion bar??

[@FixitBongbong]

Raul, nothing, they can remain installed!

[@premprakash7818]

Ball joint change Karen per alignment bhi karna padega.indigo

[@drewfinnie]

Great video man. It would be great if you called out the torque specs as you were doing them. Thanks for making the vid.

[@FixitBongbong]

Thanks for the feedback! I'll try and work that into future videos.

[@mikewiebers8814]

Got a kick out of wanting that

[@mikewiebers8814]

suspension “crap” out of the way 🤪.

[@beardedg500]

You just left the jack ob the bottom??

[@Dyzpatch]

Any more hardbody content coming out?

[@FixitBongbong]

Yes! I've really fallen behind on getting videos out this year but I've got some D21 content coming in the next few months. Already recorded just gotta edit! (driveline, steering, and recently.. a clutch job) Stay tuned.

[@Dyzpatch]

@@FixitBongbong awesome man I can’t wait

[@dylanhouck7458]

On the 4wd models does the CV axle get in the way

[@FixitBongbong]

I'm honestly not sure.. Sorry!

[@markdale278]

My Nissan has clunk while taking turns , Sound like a ball joint ?

[@FixitBongbong]

It could be a numerous things!

[@rajbahadur2162]

Good

[@FixitBongbong]

Thank you!

[@ALLWORKNOPLAYnetwork]

How do I ajust for camber?

[@DaisyHead666]

You dont want camber, camber means a bad ball joint.

[@floody79]

The bracket for the upper arm can be shimmed to reduce negative camber.

[@barrymonroy7138]

Do you have a video of the ones that are pressed???

[@FixitBongbong]

So sorry for the delayed response. Unfortunately I don't. I'm sorry!

[@oscarayala800]

The sway bar is bad 2 isn't it?

[@FixitBongbong]

Oh yes definitely.. did the links a week later.

[@liampatterson9396]

Thank you for posting this but I do believe 2 or 3 Ugga Duggas is speck jk jk

[@FixitBongbong]

I've also heard "tighten until its loose and then 1/4 more." (BIG JUST KIDDING FOR ANYONE WHO TOOK THAT SERIOUSLY)

[@prstauro]

You should change your name to "Longbong" instead of BongBong. It's more "catchy" in the mind (retain it) thus you will be "more likely" to be known. In the KZbin community of course.

[@standupforwhatsright4168]

Would this process be similar on a 2000 Mazda mpv lx edition

[@FixitBongbong]

To be honest, I'm not 100% sure. I did a quick google search for a 2000 Mazda MPV and it appears to have a MacPherson strut design front suspension. If that's the case, then no.. there is no upper ball joint. Hope that was helpful!

[@standupforwhatsright4168]

@@FixitBongbong 👍👍

[@TheHamadanners]

#chefjohn #foodwishes

[@cosmic1663]

Same process for lower ball joint?

[@FixitBongbong]

If we're talking about the Nissan harbody d21.. unfortunately not.. you have to replace the whole control arm.

[@brianz2432]

How do you add grease

[@FixitBongbong]

Hey sorry for the delayed response! I added grease by installing the zerk fitting and pumping grease in with a grease gun. Hope this helps!

[@davidwiseman7896]

Do you have to press it in?

[@FixitBongbong]

On this particular vehicle (Nissan d21 2wd) no. But its pretty common where you will need to press one in.

[@davidwiseman7896]

Would it be the same for the 4wd?

[@FixitBongbong]

@@davidwiseman7896 To clarify on your previous question as well.. if we're talking about the upper, no you don't have press it in on the d21 and they are the same for the 4wd trucks.

[@FreeThinkingperson]

Can you add the torque specs to commits

[@FixitBongbong]

Great comment.. I'll try and dig those up!

[@prstauro]

Doesn't surprise me Bongbong is working on a Japanese car. Typical.

[@FixitBongbong]

😂 Typically I'm working on euro cars! Real talk though.. the D21 was designed and mfg'd in the sweet state of Tennessee. Engine casted in Mexico. Reliable like a true Japanese car though!

[@prstauro]

@@FixitBongbong Thank goodness you have a sense of humor. For a minute there I thought you were going to shoot off venom in the form of rice bullets at me. lol Anywho I've been in the manufacturing industry for two decades now and can tell you with absolute certainty that regardless of what they say about particular migrants (I think you have an idea who I am talking about) their quality of workmanship is top notch. That's because their father's father were trained with the knowledge passed down generations from the craftsman of the pass (particularly from the Cold War era). So that said if it says it's made in "Mexico" it's a quality part. Concerning parts manufactured in Tennessee I couldn't comment on that because I've never inspected a military standard part made from them. By the way I think you should still change your call-name to: "Longbong" it's a guarantee eyebrow raiser and you would obviously be a hit at the rave parties.

[@FixitBongbong]

@@prstauro If you're gonna put yourself out there on the internet, it's best to have a sense of humor! As for the name change.. nah I think I'll stick with Bongbong as it's an actual nick name and it's taken 4 years to finally win SEO with the keyword. Plus there ain't nothing long with this 5'4" pacific islander. Cheers bud!

[@prstauro]

@@FixitBongbong Good answer. Keep up the great work. I will be checking out more of your videos in the future.

[@FixitBongbong]

@@prstauro Much appreciated!

[@sn15familyiseverything96]

Will this work on 93 v6 d21 automatic

[@FixitBongbong]

Should be similar!

[@sn15familyiseverything96]

@@FixitBongbong thank you

[@jackmacdonald8598]

annoying background music!