lower ball joints

does anybody know how to check the ball joints for wear and how hard are they to replace? 81'SC

This isn't a factory procedure and may seem a little convoluted to some ...

1. Put the front end up on jack stands, and remove front wheels.

2. Disconnect tie-rod ends from the steering arms on the struts.

3. Position magnetic base for dial indicator on flat portion of A-arm, so Dial indicator pick-up point is on the upper edge of the nut of the pinch-bolt for the ball-joint stud.

4. First try with hands, switch to floor jack if necessary, put upward force on bottom of brake rotor to 'pull-up' on the strut away from A-arm and ball-joint ... then release ... cycle up/down several times to work the joint free from its' compressed, static state.

5. Have assistant read and record the total displacement range of the dial indicator during several of the up/down 'cycles' ... at least 6-10 measurements, and determine if you have repeatable measurement. I don't have the 'wear limit' spec. from Porsche, but typically 0.020" to 0.030" would indicate the need to replace.

The replacement is straightforward, if you have experience with 'front-end' work, but a special socket is required, around $50, to remove the bottom retaining nut on the ball joint ... or you could build your own from a 'donor' 36 mm socket for a VW axle nut.

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Jack up under the ball joint. Put a lever under the tire and lift. See if there is any play.

Dean