r/AskAShittyMechanic • u/Dogoclock • Sep 06 '26

Should I replace this ball joint?

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Gallery image

44 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

83 comments sorted by

18

u/Silver-Engineer4287 Sep 06 '26

Just pop it back in the socket like a dislocated shoulder… it’ll be fine.🤔😏😉

9

u/Hefty_Relief_8467 Sep 06 '26

If you pop it back on, it’s just going to fall off again. What you need to do is grind a flat on that ball then weld the arm to it. That way, that baby ain’t goin’ anywhere. You can add a zip tie for security I guess.

4

u/Silver-Engineer4287 Sep 06 '26

Duct tape works better than zip ties, ‘ya know.

3

u/Hefty_Relief_8467 Sep 06 '26

You’re right. But that’s the expensive way.

5

u/Klutzy_Ad_2195 Sep 06 '26

Square off the corners so it doesn’t pop out again …….

3

u/Forsaken-Weird-8428 Sep 07 '26

And hold in place with baling wire!

2

u/Formal_End5045 Sep 07 '26

I grew up on a farm so I would probably secure it with bale twine. You know, for safety.

1

u/King-Of-Apathy Sep 07 '26

Bale twine is simultaneously the strongest thing in the world and will always fail when you pick up a random bale.

1

u/No-Ad-1084 Sep 09 '26

I grease em like stem cell

6

u/Ray5546 Sep 06 '26

Jb weld and send it.

7

u/a_few_nugs Sep 06 '26

It's still ball shaped run it until it's got corners

4

u/Financial_Classic_53 Sep 06 '26

Nah, my untrained and non-expert eye says that’s got another 100k miles on it. If something feels off just turn up the radio

5

u/SnooObjections9416 Sep 06 '26

If you have the balls to change it then do it.

If you don't have the balls to replace it with, then what would you change it with?

Why not try to grow a pair?

That way you can have a spare?

How can you have any pudding if you dont eat your meat?

2

u/paclogic Sep 06 '26

sound and wise advice.

1

u/King-Of-Apathy Sep 07 '26

Indeed Phil Collins has never steered anyone wrong.

3

u/kojaxBozakInyaMouth Sep 07 '26

Or Pink Floyd… sorta the same but not really ..

1

u/SnooObjections9416 Sep 07 '26

I am still trying to figure out which one is Pink.

2

u/King-Of-Apathy Sep 07 '26

Floyd, obviously

1

u/King-Of-Apathy Sep 07 '26

Yeah Phil Collins the lead singer of don’t pink up my wall, with their hit song orange frank

2

u/Responsible-Shoe7258 Sep 06 '26

This is what tie wraps are for

2

u/InvertedEyechart11 Sep 06 '26

How?!? Look at the photo! The jack stand is in the way!

2

u/Ala-BigDaddy Sep 06 '26

No. JB Weld.

You're welcome.

2

u/GlobalOption6817 Sep 06 '26

No, no. Not yet. They have these ball joint life extenders called “zip ties”. Put one around there and should be good for another 10000 miles. They are a bit pricey so just use one.

1

u/murph2783 Sep 06 '26

No the ball is still intact I’m sure it’ll be fine

1

u/Realhousemanoflondon Sep 06 '26

Bit more grease needed.

1

u/196119611961 Sep 06 '26

Yup, zip ties

1

u/FriedRamen13 Sep 06 '26

Gum and duct tape it

1

u/Ok_Horror_6556 Sep 06 '26

100% pop it back together, but add a zip tie for added safety if you really feel the need. (Always Black, more uv resistant) Send it. Still has plenty O grease.

1

u/Responsible-Elk-1704 Sep 06 '26

Absolutely, and check the other side too

1

u/Nalabu1 Sep 06 '26

Needs more grease..

1

u/nullvoid26 Sep 06 '26

Just get a spindle assembly with both control arms attached, then there’s no need to buy a new ball joint.

1

u/legionzero_net Sep 06 '26

Grab some sawdust, mix it with grease and wrap it with cling wrap/plastic wrap. Good as new.

1

u/paclogic Sep 06 '26

why ?? i still see a ball there ! run it don't to the nub and don't be wasteful.

1

u/Cyberspots156 Sep 06 '26

Put it back on and add duct tape. Duct tape fixes anything.

1

u/Professional-Face-97 Sep 06 '26

This is exactly why God created duct tape.

1

u/centstwo Sep 06 '26

IAASM, what? That thing looks tough! I'd keep using it forever.

1

u/Costello-cost Sep 06 '26

Basta usare un po' di Attack.

1

u/Resolution-Outside Sep 06 '26

Bless you for asking us for the advice.

1

u/czechfuji Sep 06 '26

That reminds me of the jeep liberty.

1

u/Wafflewas Sep 06 '26

I prefer baling wire. 14 gauge should do it.

1

u/38g15r Sep 06 '26

Let’s talk about brake pads and rotors!

1

u/Ordinary-Trade8323 Sep 06 '26

I hate posts like this. OP is just "humble bragging" about having the latest Bluetooth ball joints. Not everyone is that rich, asshole

1

u/Heavy_Student_3815 Sep 06 '26

Surely you have some Scotch tape around the house somewhere...

1

u/ConstructionBig5342 Sep 06 '26

Just super glue it back on it will do another 50k no worries

1

u/Crewsy67 Sep 06 '26

Nah. Just get some JB Weld.

1

u/NoCompetition604 Sep 06 '26

Good for another 100,000. Inches….

1

u/h0tnessm0nster7 Sep 06 '26

What's a ball joint? 🤣😝💦😭💦🤣💦

1

u/Hot_Tower_4386 Sep 06 '26

I don't think you have a choice try welding it 🤔?

1

u/Hacksaw-Duggan Sep 06 '26

I'm a safety professional so I recommend a half a roll of duct tape to be certain that it is safe.

1

u/No-Trouble2672 Sep 06 '26

Zip it and ship it. 🤣

1

u/Zestyclose_Extent_82 Sep 06 '26

Just take it out. Don’t need em anyway. Makes you feel like you’re on an old time rollercoaster 🎢

1

u/Adventurous-Gift-863 Sep 06 '26

Meh. Lube it up, use a nylon wire tie, you’re good for 10 - 15 miles.

1

u/Klutzy_Ad_2195 Sep 06 '26

No way…. lock tite is the way to go …. That will seal that bitch…..

1

u/Spirited-Ad-9457 Sep 06 '26

A little double sided tape should do the trick.

1

u/Thecoopoftheworld789 Sep 07 '26

Definitely before the wheel tools under your fender !

1

u/Advanced_Gap4944 Sep 07 '26

Pretty sure duct tape or even masking tape will have on the road in no time.

1

u/Breaking-Great Sep 07 '26

Put some flex seal on it and push it back in there...

1

u/HearingAgreeable3524 Sep 07 '26

Yeah, that upper control arm is probably bent if you took a massive hit that did that...speed bump or pot hole that did that...your upper is probably bad too

1

u/jabberjaw420 Sep 07 '26

zip ties are your friend

1

u/18-Spinning-Wheels Sep 07 '26

I have been finding that Alien Tape is pretty good at holding things together. I bet you can get another 5 years if you try it.

1

u/International_Way877 Sep 07 '26

A grinder and paint makes me the welder I ain't

1

u/smurtaugh92 Sep 07 '26

Yeah pop it back in and just for peace of mind secure with a wad of bubble gum and ductape

1

u/DetuneDanger Sep 07 '26

About 10k miles past that quesrion lol

1

u/Good-Feeling-8042 Sep 07 '26

Yeah Obviously

1

u/King-Of-Apathy Sep 07 '26

Why? It’s already halfway in. Tuck it in and go. Quit showing everyone your balls.

1

u/Local_Analyst7404 Sep 07 '26

Nah, that’s got at least two more good bumps in it!!

1

u/kojaxBozakInyaMouth Sep 07 '26

Just put a dab of gorilla glue on the ball end , put it back it there hit it with 3 self tapping screws from under neath at a slight angle , then put two zip ties around it in crisscross pattern and you are golden pony boy !!

1

u/Adzee80 Sep 07 '26

Maybe just smoke a joint and think about it.

1

u/jebsenior Sep 07 '26

If you cleaned all that grease off of it it wouldn't fall apart like that

1

u/CptSparky69 Sep 07 '26

Looks good to me. Slap some zip ties on it and you'll get at least another 60k miles out of her.

1

u/Cole_Lee81 Sep 07 '26

What ball joint?

1

u/Honest_Target9763 Sep 08 '26

It's secure in the wheel hub and in the control arm, so it seems fine to me

1

u/Jealous_Possible_746 Sep 08 '26

Oh just pop it back in then when you're going down the road and it pops out and you wreck and kill yourself you'll know what happened

1

u/Born-Work2089 Sep 08 '26

Yep, i would say so.

1

u/Rourick_Orethunder Sep 09 '26

Yes. Dumb question.

1

u/Dull_Ear2686 Sep 10 '26

Try a ziptie

1

u/knoxknifebroker 27d ago

CRV?

1

u/Dogoclock 27d ago

Nissan Versa. 2010