The next job up on my list is to replace my very dead rear front wishbone bushes (nearside one has ripped clean through one of the rubber 'webs').

Ball joints will also be replaced at the same time.

I'm just after some knowledge on how/why you need the wheel alignment checked after doing this work.

As far as I know, the front and rear bushes are fixed and the mounting faces are non-adjustable. Or is there some play? The ball joint is obviously also fixed where it pulls into the hub carrier. So the only adjustment is in the interface between the ball joint bottom plate and the end of the wishbone. Where I believe it is possible to adjust the camber slightly.

If you ensure that you bolt up this plate in the same location on both sides (as much negative as the holes allow), surely you don't need to check alignment, as it should be fine?

Or is it literally just a check, to make sure all is in order?

Cheers in advance

The Skoda manual informs me that I can only replace the ball joints by first removing the strut and hub carrier from the car!

Surely not? Screw replacing the ball joints if that's the case!

no mate its a really simple job to do both and no alignment is needed after when you take lower arm off to do the bush you can take the ball joint off with it 18 mm i believe nut on top 15mm front bush 18mm rear bush and then remove the 3x 13mm bolts once the arms off and replace new ball joint should take about an hour each side:thumbup:

Cheers mate!

I was just worried that the ball joint would spin when I tried to remove the top nut, which would be a right pain. Access looks a little tight to get an allen key on the ball joint stud to hold it!

Time to start gathering all the new parts up now....

why you changing the ball joint?? if it dont need it dont do it

When we did my car the ball joints were replaced and one was a real pain as the nut came roughly half way off then the ball joint was just spinning.

Ended up cutting it with a hacksaw to remove it.Just make sure you have plenty of tools to hand,or a nut splitter if you have one.

I would definitely get the alignment checked after wishbone bushes are replaced.

There will be a lot of play in the worn bushes to start with so new ones may put alignment out, also the 3x bottom 13mm bolts have a lot of play in the holes. I replaced my wishbone bushes and didn't have alignment checked which shortened the life of the tyres quite a bit.

when I had mine done it made the steering wheel go left by and inch due to how bad the bush's where when i had it alighned prior.

its a must

why you changing the ball joint?? if it dont need it dont do it

Ball joints are fine! I'm just being anal!

I was just thinking if I'm there..... I may as well have a bash!

I know what your saying though. If it aint broke dont fix it and all that!

When we did my car the ball joints were replaced and one was a real pain as the nut came roughly half way off then the ball joint was just spinning.

Ended up cutting it with a hacksaw to remove it.Just make sure you have plenty of tools to hand,or a nut splitter if you have one.

That's exactly what I'm worried about!

Did you hacksaw the bottom of the ball joint off then? So the top just pulled out? Or does the shaft have a taper on it?

Tools are not an issue thankfully. Having a dad with a tool shop has it's advantages!

Thanks alot for the reply guys, all these little tips help no end when your doing a new job

That's exactly what I'm worried about!

Did you hacksaw the bottom of the ball joint off then? So the top just pulled out? Or does the shaft have a taper on it?

Tools are not an issue thankfully. Having a dad with a tool shop has it's advantages!

Thanks alot for the reply guys, all these little tips help no end when your doing a new job

The nut came up about 3/4 of the way off then the shaft just started to spin so cut the thread just below the nut.