I have an occasional clunk from my rear left suspension. I suspect this is the ball joint on the upper wishbone.
I have just found a cheap s/h one over here (the guy says the balljoint is OK)
Reading the TSRM it sounds a pain of a job . . . do you really have to remove EVERYTHING they say to get the Wishbone off?
I tried asking AI and it didn't even talk about removing the rear Hub. This is what it said:
Loosen and Lift
Secure the car and apply penetrating fluid to all rusted or tight fasteners on the upper wishbone.
You do not need to remove the driveshaft or the damper/shock absorber assembly to get the upper wishbone out, though shifting things slightly for clearance helps.
Disconnect the Outer Ball Joint
Locate the outer end of the wishbone attached to the rear knuckle (spindle assembly).
Remove the cotter/split pin from the castle nut.
Loosen and remove the ball joint nut. If the ball joint stud spins in place, apply pressure to the arm or use an appropriate tool to keep it steady.
Separate the ball joint taper from the knuckle using a hammer or a joint separator tool.
Unbolt the Inner Mounts
Locate the inner bushing bolts where the wishbone attaches to the subframe/crossmember.
Use a breaker bar or ratchet to break loose the factory-tight inner bolts and nuts.
Remove the bolts completely. Note the orientation and presence of any alignment cams or washers if applicable.
Extract the Wishbone
Carefully manoeuvre the upper wishbone free from the chassis mount pockets and the knuckle.
Watch out for nearby ABS wiring or brake lines, and unclip or unbolt any sensor wire brackets attached to the arm to avoid damaging them
So is the AI guide right? Is that all you need to do to replace the Upper Wishbone?
I have just found a cheap s/h one over here (the guy says the balljoint is OK)
Reading the TSRM it sounds a pain of a job . . . do you really have to remove EVERYTHING they say to get the Wishbone off?
I tried asking AI and it didn't even talk about removing the rear Hub. This is what it said:
Loosen and Lift
Secure the car and apply penetrating fluid to all rusted or tight fasteners on the upper wishbone.
You do not need to remove the driveshaft or the damper/shock absorber assembly to get the upper wishbone out, though shifting things slightly for clearance helps.
Disconnect the Outer Ball Joint
Locate the outer end of the wishbone attached to the rear knuckle (spindle assembly).
Remove the cotter/split pin from the castle nut.
Loosen and remove the ball joint nut. If the ball joint stud spins in place, apply pressure to the arm or use an appropriate tool to keep it steady.
Separate the ball joint taper from the knuckle using a hammer or a joint separator tool.
Unbolt the Inner Mounts
Locate the inner bushing bolts where the wishbone attaches to the subframe/crossmember.
Use a breaker bar or ratchet to break loose the factory-tight inner bolts and nuts.
Remove the bolts completely. Note the orientation and presence of any alignment cams or washers if applicable.
Extract the Wishbone
Carefully manoeuvre the upper wishbone free from the chassis mount pockets and the knuckle.
Watch out for nearby ABS wiring or brake lines, and unclip or unbolt any sensor wire brackets attached to the arm to avoid damaging them
So is the AI guide right? Is that all you need to do to replace the Upper Wishbone?
Last edited: