Vauxhall Astra H Ball Joint Worn. Track Control Arm Replacement

This 2009 Vauxhall Astra H was in for service. During the inspection I found a worn left front lower ball joint that needed attention. A new track control arm was in need for this one.
Thanks to Thomas EXOVCDS, heres a link to his channel;
/ @exovcds
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[@wyattoneable]

Thomas is one of the best. He spends a lot of money making sure us guys get stickers and a T shirt. I loved your quick shirt segment. You made a good point about changing parts in order to save labor. I rarely think about that because I do 99% of my own work but it's something to consider. As you've heard your editing of excellent. It really makes for enjoyable viewing, well done Rob!

[@OneAuto]

Thank you Wyatt for your kind words and your valued support as ever. You’re right, Thomas is such a genuine and generous guy, I think he must have shares in the post office by now. Have a great weekend mate 👍

[@therat5680]

Great job Rob and agree to change the whole thing! Great video 👍

[@MotorScotti]

Very straightforward and helpful, thank you!

[@richardinalex]

Thanks a lot - I started wanting to only change the ball joint - but this was much simpler. Bit tricky on axle stands - but possible

[@gturner4287]

Excellent video bro, very clear and easy to understand 👍

[@bernardsanke4876]

Nice job Rob.

[@Chris_905]

Great stuff as always Rob 😀

[@OneAuto]

Thanks Chris!

[@colintx800]

Did both on my corsa last week, Easy enough :)

[@stuzman52]

Great work Rob and that shirt really went on fast! 😀

[@OneAuto]

Yep the Easy Fit Shirt... what an invention! Cheers Terry

[@zaheersarwar7815]

Straight forward and simple.. I just change the whole arm its quicker. And as you have mentioned new arm with new bushes..

[@COLEEN322]

Good to watch, I subbed.

[@spelunkerd]

Another excellent video, really good video editing and audio control. My daughter lives in London, I see your shop One Auto is just a little north of there. Beautiful country!

[@OneAuto]

Thanks Dave, yes about 70 or so miles from London. No where is far away here compared to the USA

[@jonathangriffin1120]

@@OneAuto There's an old saying, 'In the UK 100 miles is a long way, in the US 100 years is a long time'......

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Nice job Rob. I agree if price is close change the whole thing out. Keep the videos coming.

[@OneAuto]

Thanks Mike!

[@alexandrelara100]

Very good job!!!!

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

Nice video Rob and the smart way is to change out the control arm just like you did especially with the rust!

[@OneAuto]

Always the better option. Cheers Bob

[@SouthMainAuto]

Rust ... pffff lol

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

Cars in England don't need winter salt to rust...it stays moist all the time & everything rusts but not like the NY salt rust. When I was in England half my work was with a welder fixing rusted out frames & body so they could pass MOT inspection. NY rust is definitely worse I can attest to that which is why I live in GA!!!

[@TheCowgirlNiamh]

Love the stickers and t-shirt! Thomas is a dote! :)

[@OneAuto]

He’s a good lad 😁

[@vdubs6068]

Great vid Rob 👍

[@OneAuto]

Cheers Jamie

[@Krillekris]

An easy fix. I usually get my ball joints checked every 2 years when there is EU inspection. And then I change whatever is needed. But I do believe in good service, and this year I gonna change oil on 3 cars and whatever else is needed.

[@OneAuto]

Yes good maintenance makes them last just a little longer

[@bobbobby5724]

Fantastic video

[@OneAuto]

Thanks

[@Letusbeguided]

Top job! If so much easier doing this job with a lift haha. Its a chore doing these on the floor on stands. Excellent point about the inner bolts tightening with tension on the rubber. Alot of people dont do that with rubber bushes.

[@OneAuto]

Thanks, yes I’ve done them on the floor before, not easy 👍

[@EXOVCDS]

Your editing is second to none! I'm glad you like the stickers! Shirt might be a bit too big. =(

[@OneAuto]

The "Easy Fit" shirt... a great invention Thomas! A little on the large size but i'll grow into it. Thanks mate 👍

[@LMAutoRepairs]

👍 Thank you for sharing!

[@OneAuto]

Thank you Luis!

[@laurenblyth6452]

a After seeing your video will attempt to fit after mot failure was told about drilling rivets replacing complete unit much more sensible if like me your working in driveway keep up the good work as your videos are easy to understand

[@OneAuto]

Yep whole arm much easier for you👍

[@paulmayou370]

great video Rob love the paco lube must try that

[@OneAuto]

It don't work but it smells good 👍

[@user-jy5ym8pi3i]

Good job Rob Can you make a video about your toolbox and which make a good tools

[@OneAuto]

Thank you

[@themechanic6117]

Nice work, I hate trying to get those rivets off .

[@OneAuto]

Thanks man. Yes takes toooo long

[@cornelisemail6070]

I have the same astra h but from 2006, and car is shaking at low speed like 20 mph and even with the engine off ( car rolling ) nd you release the clutch its stil shaking like 4 times back nd forward with engine off. I think i have this problem too with some play by the joints

[@johnthegodfatherslack]

Great video mate. Your a gifted man. My astra h twintop has just failed an mot for this and 2 back tyres. The tyres are nowt, but i think wishbones and ball joints are definitely beyond me.job for the garage i think.

[@OneAuto]

Haha thanks John. Yeh keep your hands clean!

[@johnthegodfatherslack]

@@OneAuto im actually a groundworker mate, and my hands are far from clean. Im very very keen to do things to my astra (im 45 and this twintop is my midlife crisis) Im watching loads of tutorials on here, everything from refurbish my own alloys to upgrading my air filter, and also changing all my engine/coolant pipes, demarked front grill, But wishbones are a bit beyond me for fixing on my drive. Id need to buy a low profile jack, axle stands, and watching you do that one, id say it wouldnt be easy laying on my back with the car just a foot in the air.

[@OneAuto]

Sounds good. Best of luck with it 👍

[@newry123]

cheers

[@Diagnosedan]

You did do Magic! Can you teach me? Guess Keith did hack your camera🎥. He's CIA, pretending to be a tech.🤣🤣🤣. Great Video mate.

[@OneAuto]

Next week I will saw a lady in half! Cheers Dan

[@chrismackie4668]

Rob, what are the factory torq settings for the ball joint bolt and swing arm bolts please ? great vid by the way :)

[@OneAuto]

Thanks Chris, unfortunately I don’t give our factory specs because they differ from model to model. Thanks for understanding

[@cardude5323]

I do love how the running gear on vauxhalls don't rust. Try doing that job on a similar aged ford XD

[@OneAuto]

Yeh they pretty good really

[@zoidberg444]

Somehow missed this edition of the one auto show. Fail. Last control arm I replaced I had to cut it out with a grinder and a hacksaw it was that crusty. Making it look effortless mate! lol

[@OneAuto]

Late to the party Joe, thats not like you :)

[@papahoe6718]

GREAT JOB 👍 IF I WOULD'VE DID THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN ALL DAY JOB I'M GLAD YOU HAD SAFETY GLASSES ON WHEN THE WOODEN SHIM BROKE 👍👍🤣

[@OneAuto]

I was squinting.... Safety 3rd 😂

[@papahoe6718]

One Auto, ya boy👍

[@zedman442]

Nice one. Do agree not worth just changing the ball joint. Control arms are cheap your time isn't!

[@ewb69]

Is that a new camera Rob? picture is excellent.

[@OneAuto]

Nah same camera, I think I’ve worked out how to edit in HD now 😂

[@diymisfit_Mechanic_UDX404]

One Auto, Sorted

[@bodgitandleggitgarage]

Your Mrs must be really impressed especially if you can get on dressed that quickly but I heard it didn't take you long to do things🤣🤣🤣

[@OneAuto]

Not nowadays 😂😂

[@jordanross876]

I wish I had an Air gun. Everytime I attempt a job like this the bolts are literally welded on with corrosion.

[@LJR10001]

I've replaced control arm, but I noticed that when the hub is rotating, the ball joint pin stays in same place and doesn't rotate with the hub, even though the pinch bolt is tight. Is this correct? I thought the pinch bolt would "pinch" the hub onto the ball joint pin and both would rotate together. Or is this a sign that the hole on the hub is ovalled / worn?

[@OneAuto]

Yes it sounds that way. Seen it on plenty of cars

[@SteveRussell1990]

Nice bit if info, I've got an astra j, is it the same way to change it out?

[@OneAuto]

Pretty much

[@SteveRussell1990]

Cheers I've just ordered one and have to fit before mot on 7th 👍

[@Charlie_Crown]

Good video again, very informative, air tools help simplify things big time, as does having the lift, I'm getting too old these days to be laying on the ground unfortunately 😁👍

[@Charlie_Crown]

Also, you got lucky there, when the wooden block split, could have caught you in the face, near miss, think about wearing goggles next time, to at least save an eye ball 😂👍

[@newry123]

how far do you jack the arm up before you tighten the 2 back bolts,cheers

[@OneAuto]

newry123 just so it takes the weight as if it was on the floor

[@NewLevelAuto]

Magical

[@OneAuto]

😂💪💪 Next week I’ll be pulling rabbits out of hats!!

[@NewLevelAuto]

One Auto, great job , I posted the magical during the shirt part lol. The whole video was terrific as always mate .

[@OneAuto]

Thanks for your valued support as ever Keith 👍

[@throttlebottle5906]

the control arms of similar style are usually rusted away from the inside out by time the ball-joint is bad anyway. at least here in the rust belt of USA ;)

[@OneAuto]

I did a 2002 Landrover like that a few weeks ago

[@mybalzarichi46]

Are the ball joints on astra h's poorly made as since I've lowered my car I've replaced 3 left hand lower arms as ball joints always fail

[@OneAuto]

I wouldn’t say poor made but when a car is lowered it does put extra strain on different components that they are not necessarily designed for.

[@hardworker8030]

Would a lower arm cause the left tyre to drag when you are turning right. The car is a toyota yaris. What brand brake cleaner do you use as I'm thinking of buying 5 litres and using a spray bottle.

[@OneAuto]

Yes quite possibly if the ball joint or bushes are worn therefore putting the wheel alignment out. Brake cleaner.. any.. it’s all the same

[@hardworker8030]

Can you check a track control arm when the car is on the ground. I put the wheels on full lock then put a lever bar between the subframe and arm and when I pushed up on the arm you can see the arm moving up and down but the rubber bush is not moving but you can hear the rubber squeaking.

[@simonrawle7885]

I've seen some rite bad jobs wen people grind them rivets out. Grinding most of the arm away as well. Better safer and faster just to replace

[@OneAuto]

Me too Simon, its just not worth it.

[@ericcorse]

Boy that sure is easier than pressing out those scudders. BTW Rob your flex joint is a bit floppy.

[@OneAuto]

Sorry about that Eric...I'm seeing the doctor about it 😜

[@ericcorse]

LOL, no problem to me.

[@hardworker8030]

You need to get a decent torque wrench like bodgit and leggit

[@Badgertronix]

That's a fancy t shirt. They make you irrestible to whatever tickles your pickle fork 🤣

[@OneAuto]

I’ve seen you sporting the same shirt before now.. do you have a pickle to tickle?

[@Badgertronix]

One Auto, it was just that one time 😂 I don't want to talk about it 🤣

[@patricklechat2897]

torque settings for the bolts ?

[@mybalzarichi46]

3 Ugga duggas

[@1hlyGOD]

Ahhh man i cant afford to give patreon. I would if i could... are going to sell those stickers? Love ur wrk ..thanks for the vid

[@diymisfit_Mechanic_UDX404]

Drews Auto Same question from me also. Cause I'm too lazy

[@OneAuto]

Thanks Drew, buy me a coffee ko-fi.com/oneauto and private message me your address & I'll send some over.

[@OneAuto]

Buy me a coffee at ko-fi.com/oneauto and private message me your address & I'll send some over.

[@diymisfit_Mechanic_UDX404]

Okay I bought you 2 coffees, but have no idea how to private message you lol

[@OneAuto]

DIY Misfit "Mechanic" Thanks! Emailed you

[@rrplanb4030]

Vauxhalls seem to get through control arms faster than most from my experience.

[@OneAuto]

Same here 👍

[@rrplanb4030]

I don't work on cars mate. It's just something I've noticed over the decades.

[@supergeekjay]

I'm not sure it's Vauxhall's fault. I just blame the Government and the horrific state of UK roads. My 54 plate Astra H has needed 2 control arms in the last two years, and I treat her really well :) Dodging potholes is getting near impossible, without driving on the pavement, but it isn't Grand Theft Auto :( Just found this channel, you seem like a really awesome mechanic, my kind of best friend. And you're from the Midlands, lovely people :)

[@rrplanb4030]

Agreed James, the roads are crap too. That said Vauxhall suspension components are not the longest lasting in the industry in my experience. I haven't driven or owned one for quite a long time though. The new Astra's look OK I guess esp the faster ones. But do they still understeer badly like they used too?

[@nov3019892008]

I bought my first astra h at 49k miles and kept it till 123k. Never needed new wishbones on that one. Droplinks though, now thats a different story

[@D6Spanky]

I wish I could change clothes like that!

[@OneAuto]

It’s easy Spanky ... just don’t try it on a live stream 😁

[@D6Spanky]

One Auto, 🤣🤣🤣 That's excellent advice

[@SouthMainAuto]

Lmao

[@priteshchampaneri7841]

Did you replace both sides?

[@OneAuto]

Like good shoes, best worn in pairs😃

[@priteshchampaneri7841]

I've seen people who don't wear a matching pair of shoes! 😆

[@DylanRabier]

I've done several of these but just the ball joints 😝 Stupid rivets Anyways nice video 👍

[@alexwade9797]

How come you hardly ever torque things?

[@OneAuto]

Alex Wade 11:33? It’s all about experience and knowing your tools. When you have been doing this job as long as I have you actually get the feel of certain torques. Important things that need torquing get torqued. But if a DIYer tightens a bolt, torque it to factory spec like I always say 👍

[@marianluc6235]

I think for sure is 90 pounds of torque

[@jeffarmer4428]

Vauxhall Astra H - is that a GM product ?

[@simonrawle7885]

Yep

[@jeffarmer4428]

Thanks .

[@SuperSbz]

Should consider doing tool reviews etc the ones that actually help you and improve your workload etc

[@OneAuto]

You seen the cool Hubitools reviews?

[@flipengland8979]

Trust me it ain't that easy when the rust has set in! Be warned,! Make sure you have the tools.

[@johnnylee948]

Are you better than eric o?

[@SouthMainAuto]

I knew it was only a matter of time before this was found out and made public... how embarrassing. I know you told me to keep it a secret Rob but the people are on to us. They know you are my teacher...

[@OneAuto]

Arrr! Oh well never mind Eric, it had to come out in the wash in the end.

[@marianluc6235]

ERIC you got more tools.and you got to send this guy your fancy ball joint remover. he still uses the pickle fork.

[@OneAuto]

Marian Luc I gave Eric my old ‘fancy’ ball joint remover cause he didn’t have one, so ‘this guy’ wouldn’t want it back. Why on earth would you bother to use one if your changing the joint anyway? In this instance the pickle fork saves time and time is money 🤗

[@marianluc6235]

That is so true yep by the time you screw it in with the pickle fork is out.you and Eric are the best you bring justice to the mechanical world.good mechanics are still out there.too much bad rep.for hard work.i always say mechanics are smarter than the doctors you can talk to them and still can't figure out what is wrong metal don't talk so is a bit harder to diagnose

[@jasongriffiths8438]

No paco rabanne, you’re going home with a man 👨

[@bernardsanke4876]

Nice job Rob.