Subaru - Ball Joint Replacement
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- Come along with Eric O. at the SMA shop as he deals with an other rusty upstate NY car. In this video he fights it out with a Subaru and their infamous ball joints. He breaks out "Big Nasty," the torch, cuts his finger and gets to harass Mrs.O all in the same video --Enjoy!
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THANKS A MILLION!!
--Eric O.
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South Main Auto Repair
47 S. Main St
PO Box 471
Avoca, NY 14809
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. South Main Auto Repair assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. South Main Auto Repair recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of South Main Auto Repair, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not South Main Auto Repair.
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The best mechanic on YT uses a HF electric impact. That should show all those HF haters that it doesnt matter what brand tool you use as long as it works. Great video Eric O!!
I dunno about the best mechanic but the HF impact works great!
the current cordless stuff looks like clones of makita and milwaukee to me.
the older brushed motor tools that is.
John Shay ok
Second that. Best RUclips mechanic. Clear and detailed explanations with just enough sarcasm and a hint of hilarious comments.
This video was very interesting to me because I think so many people dont realize how rust can even affect removing ball joints to the point that it wasn't until 22 minutes into the 30 minute video before the ball joint finally came out. Eric took his time and used an intelligent methodology so that he wouldnt do any further damage to the CV boot. Quality is always job one at SMA. I have to admit it was nice to see that Eric O. Busted into the shop to check on Mrs. O. and Trinity. We had not seen them both in awhile and their banter between them is priceless. My favorite line was around 11 minutes in, " they bring their car in to check the washer fluid, and then call back to have me rebuild the engine. Paraphrasing ofcourse but I was rolling on the floor. I really enjoy this channel.
Glad you enjoy the show Kenneth!
It's just not gonna happen today...
Will you talk to her?
No, we have already started our process here, Vanessa. Trust me... Be a secretary. You can do it!!! 🤣
I watch for the rust- I stay for the banter.
And on this side of the bus if you listen carefully you can hear the braaaappp of the rare upstate New York rustpecker.
Bahahahahaha
damn that was good
Love the channel Eric. Been a mechanic for a long time, and as far as I can tell none of the other how to programs ever show working on vehicles in the rust belt. Thanks for showing people what we have to deal with on a daily basis. You're awesome bro. Cheers to you and Mrs.O
For anyone that doesn't have big nasty and the hockey stick. A pittman arm puller fits perfectly around the lower control arm and pushes up on the balljoint stud to pop the control arm loose.
Ha, thanks much for the Big Nasty trick. I was replacing the balljoints on my Subaru today and oh boy the pinched collars were sch-tuck in the hubs. Tried prying, hammering, screwing something onto the nut that I could knock... Not a budge. Road salt region. Then I remembered, hey, didn't Eric O once make a video of a Subaru balljoint replacement? I found my way back to this video, saw you air hammer the balljoint until it dropped. I thought: that just can't possibly come off so easily. Went to buy a cheap air hammer (that is also physically very small, about the size of a handgun -- should I call her Tiny Pepper or something?), hooked that in the air line, and BRRRRRR the damn joint came loose after a few easy rounds! It dropped exactly the same way as in this video. Saved my day! I knew watching these videos late in the evenings would come handy eventually. (y)
The Astro tool works ok but i have boogered up the treads and had to have it warrantied a few times. my snap on dealer had a pre enjoyed BJR2 Subaru ball joint remover and it works absolutely fantastic.
I love the diagnostic videos, I watch most of them the whole way through and learn something every time.
The mechanical parts replacement videos though.. I ALWAYS watch those because it's just good old fashioned fun.
I admire you for not getting frustrated with your daughter while working on that. I know I don't have that much patience. Especially when it is challenging and I am worried about snapping a bolt.
I love how Mrs. O laughs when you hurt yourself, true sign of a soulmate.
ParsedOut she was thinking, PUSSY!
make the man bleed ! lol
Eric, thanks for taking the time to make the videos. You are making me a better mechanic. .I really do appreciate your help
Realism of the shop life definitely make your videos great, paired with your skills, know how, and ability to crack jokes tops them off nicely. Keep up the good work!
I’ve had enough experience with these to know that the air gap is very important and a torch is necessary when doing ball joints on a Subaru. Eric you really put out great videos, thank you for your continued efforts.
I have no inane comments, just admiration. Nice looking job considering where it started.
The joys of being a mechanic in the rust belt - the same job can be totally different in the rust zone! I often use a piece of tin like that but also find the heat retardant gel spray to be really good insurance against burning stuff. Good work Eric - real world repair! I can hear the RUclips warriors saying "I can change those in 10 minutes" - an extra 15 and I can do a brake job too..... A lot of inexperienced guys would just twist that bolt right off and then have to deal with getting it out - it's really a learned skill knowing how to get stuff apart without breaking everything! Love your channel - I can relate to it!
Im glad i found your channel, its like watching you work cars here in Scotland, ours dissolve in the weather too...and before anyone asks, we didn’t stop wearing kilts because of the rusty nuts.
I like watching your video I’m a licensed mechanic with forty plus years in my own shop in Ontario the rust belt lol always learn something new still Started my apprenticeship in 1968 and still working
I just want to say thank you Eric, And I believe you have saved me a lot of grief. I made the heat shield for the boot and like you, just patiently worked it. They broke loose tightening them surprisingly and then just worked at it with the torch back and forth, then voila it’s out and no carnage. I’m sure I join many in saying, “I owe you a beer!”
Eric O , just wanted to say thank you for this vid. I did a Suby lower ball joint and wheel bearing and followed your lead to a T . I am a proud owner of my own "Big Nasty " and the job went off without a hitch. That pinch bolt was no match for a lil heat and rattle . Thank you for all your efforts on YT , they do not EVER go unnoticed . RB from Zion Drive Auto in Pittsburgh !
I started watching a road trip video ( a long time ago) with this funny guy and his brother in an 18 wheeler wrecker and been hooked on South Main Auto videos ever since. I've been off of work with rotator cuff surgery and been watchin South Main Auto videos like crazy.... can't seem to get enough. I especially like the family interaction and the joking around. Thanks for all you do Eric and keep 'em comin........
I was telling myself how easy it is to change out a lower ball joint in a Subaru iv done sooooo many and they take seconds then I remember I live in California every things easy here. Nice work Eric you always make everything look easy
I would love to see all the Cali. mechanics work on the rust belt stuff for a month, including the dealer folks who decide what flat-rate hours are allocated.. I bet the allowed hours would jump way up shortly there after ;)
I didn't see anything wrong with that procedure my friend. I have been spinning wrenches for over 50 years and there should be more like you. That explains why you are so busy. Keep up the great work!
LOL. You could see the pain on his face when he said "One of my favorite customers"
Customer service sucks, but that is the world we live in today. I think everybody can relate to that.
22:00 great stuff on this channel! Loved the Subaru head gasket series! Subscribed.
Just a little tip regarding that style ball joint. I found it beneficial to drive a wedge in the split to reduce the clamping force on the upper part of the ball joint. I made my own wedges with different thicknesses by cutting of the tips of chisels (to avoid bottoming out and hitting the ball joint to early). Pick wedges with sharp angle. To steep angle and the wedge will pop right back out and not work as intended. Goal is to drive the wedge in so that it gets clamped in place. I also use to leave the ball joint in place in the lower arm (after loosening it) with the nut in place and then using the a breaker bar to the lower arm to pull the ball joint loose.
Using this method could save you time and energy. At least i found this to work great for me. I have 15 years experience in a small shop (certified auto technician Norway).
I used this technique and it worked good. Wished I had that giant red lever tool that would have save me half an hour.
You know a guy who cuts alot with the torch when he checks the air blast coming out even when he is just heating something up. Gotta love the salt belt....keeps us busy.
Thanks for the lesson it heat transfer. Very interesting. Mrs O clearly knows all about it judging by the look on her face when you grabbed the socket that had been on the bolt you had been heating. Priceless.
If you put a small/thin piece of house hold fiberglass insulation between the boot and heat shield there is no risk of heat transfer/melting.
Love the videos. Found the channel a few months ago.... I have found myself casually going back and watching most the videos. Awesome work!
Leave the castle nut in and use your "pry bar tool" that you used to remove the ball joint from the spindle, then you can hammer out the ball joint from the bottom.
Hi Eric! We just did the ball joints on my 2005 forester xt, and I have to say your video was a giant help to the case!!! One balljoints was already replaced, that came out pretty easy, but on the other, we had to do the tricks you showed: prepare heat shield, heat up the bolt, work it out slowly. Also the balljoint was pretty reluctant to come out of the knuckle, but hammering the side and prying it down did the trick after half an hour :) anyways, thanks again for the great video, and keep up the good work!
Great too see the ladies! Your daughter sure has grown since the last time I saw her in one of your videos. Great to see Mrs O again : ) Oh and you did a nice job getting that tough old ball joint out!
Gotta tell ya, you keep me watching. Real world stuff and comedy at the same time !!!
nothing like a south main auto video at 5am. Thanks!
I've watched just about all of SMA's vids and this one is by far my favorite. Aside from the entertainment aspect, it's got tech, real world application, the trials of being a mechanic, a family man, and business owner. And for those of us that film, the editing aspect also.
Great video. Done the exact same work on my own Subaru Forester. One hell of a work I must say. Took me a good number of hours (whitout the gas torch), had to dismount the entire wheel hub and put it on the bench, drill out the broken (of course) bolt and use a heavy slide hammer before victory over the elements. The Swedish road conditions with lots of salt during winters is definitely not the ideal conditions for car repairs.
Always good to see that even the professionals sometimes enters the road to hell. A thing you never see on the car shows on TV. :D
Wow, action packed video!!! Mrs. O, Trinity and the famous big nasty!!! Oh, plus brake clean!!!!!Man....what a big treat on this video! Love it!! Got my SMA fix! Cheers!!!
Action packed indeed! No need for a refund with this video! ;)
You forgot fire and rust. LOL
Even Ol' Longbarrel made an appearance!
It's Shake'N Bake and I helped!
Those four cans of brake clean mocking us from the top of the tool chest for most of the video, leading up to the money shot, though!
Just finished getting out the front ball joints on my sister's outback, your strat with the air hammer and chisel bit saved the day.
Got one side out using a strat I saw on an A1 Auto video but couldn't use that method on the other side as the threads on the ball joint were completely mangled (nut looked to have been cross threaded on).
Pulled out the air hammer and with a little back and forth I got the ball joint out.
My 1/4 inch DeWalt impact smelt like burning electric for the first 20 or so times. My 3/8 DeWalt never smelled at all. Thanks for a great video.
Mrs. O's face at the 10:00 minute mark when he burns his fingers on the socket. I laughed so much I had tears in my eyes!!!!!!
Somehow I missed this video when it came out and just got around to watching it. Had to laugh, I am an airplane mechanic and that cotter pin looked good. It ain't going to the moon!
Great Video. Got to see Fire, Big Nasty, Mrs. O, and Brake Clean. Plus the view after the install.
Wish I saw this before I snapped off my pinch bolts on both sides of my 07 Subie Forester.... same thing New England rust and just didnt know better than to go full auto with a Milwaukee impact gun...
Great videos keep up the good work!
Eric,
Don't worry about the hearing protection, I am 71 and have worked around loud noisy tools all of my life and I can still hear out of one ear... LOL
David Tyndall ,what did ya say? Lol
Eric as usual another great video. Real world. Enjoyed keep them coming. Best thing on the internet.
Arthur Fricchione Eric thanks for the reply. As a mechanic myself though older than you and a very different speciality you show it and tell how it really is. Nothing fancy you just show it and do with real blood and sweat. I wish your business nothing but success
ha, as a subaru dealer tech in MN i thoroughly enjoyed this. usually when we find the ball joints bad, the other two bushings on the control arms have also started to perish so we'll usually sell a whole LCA. Doesn't help much with the taking out but does make the going in much more enjoyable.
If the ball joint bolt won't move you *can* drill out the whole joint and use an over-long bolt with a nut at the end, though obviously that's not ideal.
No criticism from me my friend. Great video as always. Its nice to see the family taking part too!
Eric, they also sell a heat insulting (reusable) putty! You can pack some around the air space and the grooves where the flame licks through! If you are going to heat something up......HEAT it up!! It really absorbs the heat and saves the surrounding area(s). Thank you for your videos, you have a good "touch".
I'm so glad we don't have rust in the south like y'all do up there. One, maybe two, days a year with brine on the road doesn't do too much damage.
Glad to be back at the SMA shop! Been a while since I’ve been here (RUclips’s algorithm sucks monkey butt) but I know I can always come to SMA for quality entertainment!
A good trick I've used with the CV boot is to wrap a rag and soak the rag. Plus no cuts in the morning!
Great Vid not even half way through and I think this is the best one you've ever done. I'm thinking best Sit Com of the channel!
Good job, Eric. Even here in Florida those Subaru pinch bolts can be a PITA to remove sometimes. Kudos to Mrs. O for her assistance and for putting up with you! :-)
harbor freight also sells some mechanic gloves for 5 bucks...4 if you get a coopon..keeps the dirt out of the nails and the burns to a minimum and also prevents most small cuts..and cracks .. this is for Mrs O's comfort as well.
Great videos! I've found the 1" ceramic fiber blanket/insulation makes an effective fire and heat shield. Edges are not not nearly as sharp, either.
To use as a heatshield you can always use some smaller fire blankets and wet them save the boot, we used them around airbags on the highway tractors. Or a wet face cloth in a pinch.
I love the extra snippets of family life that we get with a SMA video - like Suzie coloring in Nemo... badly. lol
But we still get all the vital information too - always happy to recommend a SMA video.
Her name is Trinity. Now were did Eric come up with that name? The Matrix of course.
SATAMAN Schmidt So where on Earth did I get 'Suzie' from? Man, I really need to pay more attention before I comment. lol
It is because I called her "sissy." She has two older brothers making her the sister or as I call her "sissy"
South Main Auto Repair Oh, I see. Thanks for clearing that up. At least I didn't completely invent the name.
In that case: I love the extra snippets of family life that we get with a SMA video - like Trinity coloring in Nemo... badly. lol
yep and yep.. My son and daughter in law call my grand daughter sissy as well and her name is Ensley. And remember..."If they can do it...you can do it"...
That phat bass groove at the end to show the finished product was a nice touch :-) I was like OHHHHH YEEEEAAAAHHHH!!!
After a finger cut, its medically necessary to stop and get some ice cream to build up your defense system.
Gees, I think I'm due "back payments" for that one! LOL!
This episode genuinely made me laugh. well done and thanks i needed that.
Nice to see all the real everyday action!
Just bought a subaru outback to tote the grandkids about. I watch to see what jobs are in my future..... thanks so much for what you do. I live in the mountains of western north carolina what I consider the semi rust belt. We get a few snows a year so if you can stay at home and avoid driving about those few times wrenching is easier and the car lasts longer.
"Oh my God, I'm gonna go step in front of a train" - almost fell out of my chair!!!!
I was able to get my pinch bolt out with using about 2/3 of a tank of MAP gas. Of course I spent most of the day prior just spritzing it with PB blaster, then Kroil because my attached garage got pretty stinky. Kroil is much more tolerable. Then the M18 High-Torque with a lot of fwd then reverse, back n forth. I got so excited to see it start the turn!
its not a sma video without a shot of break clean. good job
Hello Eric & All
I watch you use the torch quite often to heat up a frozen bolt / nut etc. however I have not noticed you using a cool can with the heat to shrink & shock the bolt. This was a great example of the type of situation i have found the combination to be very effective in breaking the bolt free. Works wonders on frozen brake bleed valves as well. Loved the heat shield my favorite is an old coffee can.
Great to find this one! Very informative! Thanks for taking us along. So nice to have a hoist. I always try to imagine me doing what you do laying on my back with the vehicle on jack stands. Apparently I like to take chances too!
I wish I had your patience. Keep using the safety equip., glasses, ear plugs, dust mask, you'll be glad you did when you're my age. Great video thanks.
One of the upsides of being your own boss and having a family run business, you can have your family around you, unlike most jobs where you are gone all day and only seen by loved ones in the evening before going to bed to rinse and repeat.
Once the ball joint pinch bolt is out, I usually leave it bolted to the control arm and smash the control arm with a BFH. Anyway... love the videos!!!!!!!
Glad the ball joints on my 86 truck are old school held in by three bolts. OEM came ones came off after 28 years with just a small ratchet. Of course two garages want 4 hours each. Did all 4 in under 4 hours.
Another Subie meets its match at SMA! Thanks Eric!
Love the old Subarus and the easy method for removing ball joints - loosen lower nut, jack up control arm, shove a ~14mm socket between arm and knuckle, release jack and bam ball joint released.
So basically if you're from New York. Buy a car brand new. Buy several gallons of anti seize. Strip to the frame. Anti-seize every bolt/metal to metal connection and spray Kroil on everything below the rockers before every winter lol.
That's exactly what I was thinking. I am originally from Arizona but currently live in California and I swear, just watching all these rust issues in the NE makes me think twice about ever living there. It would seem less expensive to do what you suggested when you first buy your car than to have any type of repair later. As for me, I'll be moving back to dry southern AZ soon and can't wait as the weather keep the undercarriage practically immaculate.
Yeah cars have a TTL (time to live) in the NorthEast.
Eric O. Your the man, never gives up.
Hello having been in the auto repair industry and engineering since i was a young lad off 16 and now been nearly 58, you wear safety specs, but when using air hammers. grinders etc hearing protection should also be worn, I found out the hard way as I have lost some hearing and for the past 5 years I have suffered from Tinnitus, and all because of not using hearing protection when I was younger. On a lighter note I do enjoy your videos, and I have learnt a good few things from your videos.
On those cross bolt type, once I get the bolt to back out some, I use the air hammer on the head of the bolt to push the hole open. With the bolt out, I use a chisel in the opening to spread it open a little more. I use Never Seize on everything when installing, including the ball joint body, tapered shaft, castle nut and cotter pin.
I'm surprised that you don't have a weight for your lower control arm tool. Usually, a bucket of water is all it takes.
Hey Eric, I recently found a way to aid in removing rusted bolts, I'm not sure if you have done or heard of this before but heat the bolt up hit it with a hammer then get a wax stick and put it on the end of the threads, the heat absorbs the wax and cleans the threads up. It worked great for me when removing rusted exhaust studs when I only had a blow torch and a hammer
After 5 hours today with a broken pinch bolt and extractors that broke the bolt even deeper in the hole... I got a stripped used knuckle from eBay. Calling it a day. Love your videos though. 😊
Good Video ...Mr. O....Nice to see Mrs' O is keeping you in line...lol...Oh dont forget that socket is hot..lol...Thanks for sharing
Tighten to spec... Grabs wrench... I heard it click... Lmao...
I chuckled at that one too! Actually, I rolled it back a bit, then laughed even harder!
Star of the Show Mrs O with respect brother.
I like the Hockey Stick. Gonna have to make one of those.
I have a major complaint... I am super jealous of the fact you're a god damn vehicle guru and I'm stuck struggling to figure out what's wrong with my truck.
Keep up the awesome videos bud.
I'm happy Astro came out with a tool to pull those stubborn ball joints out..
Flying rust, fire, awesome effects, and Brake Clean. best. video. ever.
As usual, great video! I love the 'slice of life' feel to the videos when Mrs. O and the kids make an appearance. It's like a much manlier version of The Kardashians. The Os.
That was so funny at the end when the music came on showing the completed ball joint! 😂😂😂
I thought I was the only one that loves brake cleaner . I am proud to know that i am not alone . Another good use for the miracle spray , It will drop a hornet out of the sky. You can hear it seize up in mid flight.(YAY!) Great videos. Keep 'em comin' thanks
Kevin in NC
Love it when Mrs O gives you the business. I give Miss Marge the business until she gives me the finger, then I back it off a 1/4 turn. Keeps things spicy. Great video.
No matter what I do, the ball joint does not slip back into the control arm. It'll get in there, sure, but it won't thread all the way through to the bottom. No idea. Every video makes it look so easy, but this is proving the worst part of the job.... And it's practically the last. Glad I'm not the only one who hates these things. Hi from Montana!
I'll say this extra loud sense you forgot your hearing protection using 'big nasty'. CONGRATULATIONS ON HITTING 90K SUBSCRIBERS WELL DONE!!!!!
Have a nice day!
Thanks for the vid man. Had tough time with getting it out of the knuckle without an air hammer. Pry bar..little heat and some elbow grease
Crazy I just realized you were in upstate ny..are you in avoca?
I watched two other videos on replacing ball joints. This one is more realistic because of seized bolt, especially since I am from Great Lakes area where snow and salt do their rusting and havoc on bottom of cars. Real life issues. Thanks.
Working on a 2014 Subaru Forester replaced the lower driver side control arm, steering knuckle, bearings. Took it to get an front end alignment & it's 2 1/2 degrees out no alignment
Excellent and fun vid! But please dont let the rust belt cars and the magnitude of this job shown in some of these RUclips vids keep you from doing this job yourself. I'm in the southwest and just finished replacing both control arms with ball-joints on my 2006 Outback. Soaked the 14mm pinch bolt in penetrating oil first, and then leveraged the control arm against the steering knuckle. Literally no real hurking at all...The joints almost fell out. Total time to remove and replace the second control arm was 1/2 hour. I feel sorry for those who broke the pinch bolt, but if you don't have a department of transportation that insists on salting roads, you'll most likely be fine and only out the cost of the joint (or control arm). Good Luck!
AvE just tore one of those Earthquakes apart and was surprisingly impressed at how well it is built. Chris
Always nice to see Mrs O your young daughter
Have you tried: Taking the pinch bolt out first. Use "hockey stick" or in my case 5' pry bar to pull out ball joint down (after jarring it with the air hammer to loosen it from knuckle). Then take out castle nut and use air hammer to knock stud out of lower control arm.
This is next on my list so can't wait to start this project with that bolt almost inevitably fighting me too. Planning to do both sides too so yay...
just watched this. struggling with ball joint for hours. used everything but power recip power chisel. rented one. used exactly 12 seconds. good to go. thanks
Yes, Eric O. is bringing the pain "Big Nasty" is back by popular demand also Mrs. O is back :) and we get a bonus "Brake Cleaner" Solid A + rating - P.S. Is good to see alternatives ways in doing various cars repairs is often fun over the conventional way.