Is changing the ball joint on an Octy 1 a huge job?

As far as I can see - 3 bolts connecting to wishboned and the one on the top of the joint. Unbolt and replace? simples?

you will need a ball joint splitter to separate the balljoint from the hub

and a 19mm spanner to undo the bolt onto of the balljoint

*you wont be able to fully take off the nut on the ball joint....it will loosen to a point where it will touch the CV gaiter....its best to loosen it enough to split the joint from the hub, then once split, take the nut off

Edited 12 May, 201016 yr by vRShafz

Pretty easy yeah. I did mine a while ago now, so my memory might be a little rusty.

Start on the joint top nut, once you have it free just keep winding it up until it contacts the CV joint housing. At this point you can give the joint a good soaking with releasing fluid if you haven't already. Then continue to back off the nut into the joint housing, eventually it will go pop and the taper will be free. Then you have the issue of the nut being stuck on the rusty threads on the ball joint. If the joint spins when taking the nut off completely, then fear not you can hold the joint body with some narrow jaw mole grips and slowly free the nut. That's the only hard bit really. The three bolts should undo easily, but make sure you have a full set of spare bolts and nut plates, incase something snaps and you should do it anyway really. Try and note the position of the ball joints in the wishbones, so that you don't kick the geometry out by too much. There is a very small about of adjustment on them. Maybe trace around the bolts with tipex or something.

When I did mine I changed the wishbones at the same time, so the process was slightly different.

Actually I'll just search for my thread!

Here you are: http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/133212-front-suspension-refresh-photos/page__p__1670288__fromsearch__1entry1670288

Cheers fella's. Now tempted to do the arms as well... plus the saga of trying to get replacement struts for the front continues!