Lower Control Arms &   Ball Joints

Since the lower ball joints were now practically begging to be replaced, I figured it was the perfect time to swap them out, too. With 160,000 miles on them, let’s be real—they had lived a long, hard life and deserved retirement.

And wow, was it overdue. These things were hanging on for dear life, just waiting for the perfect moment to ruin my day.

As for the job itself, I’d say this was the easiest suspension work I’ve tackled so far. Granted, that might have something to do with the fact that I’ve already had most of these components off at some point, so there were no stubborn bolts or rusted-on surprises waiting for me. The alignment cams slid out effortlessly, the new control arms and ball joints went in without a fight, and for once, everything just worked.

The biggest wrench in the process? My wife getting a flat tire right in the middle of it. Nothing like being elbow-deep in a suspension swap only to drop everything, clean up, and play roadside assistance. But hey, at least I had all the tools on hand!

After the install, my carefully placed cam marks didn’t translate to a smooth ride. Ended up setting everything to neutral and adjusting the tie rods just to get it driveable enough for a proper alignment.

But the real win? I finally got over 4 degrees of caster! And let me tell you, the difference is night and day. No more darting on the highway, no more fighting the wheel over bumps—just smooth, planted driving. Feels like a brand-new car!