I want to replace lower ball joint on my nissan altima 2001

just need to get a ball joint splitter , pronged shaped device that you hammer between the ball joint and control arm ,after stripping down the assembly, little tip, when fitting new ball joint apply slight pressure from below when tightening the nut , this will stop the joint from just spinning , i usually use a scissor jack for this

Here's a link to the lower ball joint,it tells you about a fitting to be greased,as you see the ball joint has a hole at threads where greasing fitting will be.It will be best to jack up and remove tire to grease,look for other grease fittings,wipe up excess grease.Also check ball joint for wear,may need replacing.

Click this help links below to go through its complete replacing procedure :-----Upper Ball Joints inspection and replacement? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/upper-ball-joints-inspection-and.html How to Test Upper and Lower Ball Joint? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-test-lower-ball-joint.html How to inspect Upper and Lower Ball joint? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-inspect-lower-ball-joint.html How to Service Ball Joints on Car? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-service-lower-ball-joints-on-car.html How to Replace Ball joints? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-replace-lower-ball-joints.html Lower Ball Joints replacing on car? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/lower-ball-joints-replacing-on.html

YEP YOU CAN REPLACE LOWER BALL JOINT IT SELF,CALL THE AUTO PARTS STORES FOR PRICE CHECK.YOU CAN GO ON LINE THE INTERNET LOOK UP AUTO ZONE OR ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, DO A PART SEARCH, AND IT WILL TELL YOU PRICE OF LOWER BALL JOINT OR THE WHOLE LOWER CONTROL ARM WITH LOWER BALL JOINT.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/villagerquest/ Ball Joint Removal

1. Remove the wheel and tire assembly. For additional information, refer to Section 204-04 .

1. Remove the suspension lower arm ball joint cotter pin.

1. Remove the suspension lower arm ball joint nut and separate it from the wheel knuckle.

May have to leave nut partially on and hit the nut hard with a hammer to knock the tapered stud down and out. May have to hit side of knuckle to help get it to drop. or rent a pickle fork to drive between the bal joint and knuckle.

1. Remove the suspension lower arm ball joint to suspension lower arm nuts and remove the ball joint.

Disconnect the caliper and mount, and hang it aside. Unbolt the 5 or 6, 6mm allen head bolts from the hub. Pull the hub out and remove the snap ring and washers behind it. Loosen the upper ball joint nut a little and break the joint free. Support the lower control arm with a jack and loosen the lower ball joint nut and break it loose also. With the lower control arm supported, remove the upper ball joint nut and slowly remove the lower control arm support (jack). The shock will retain the torsion bar and you can now remove the lower ball joint nut and slide the knuckle off the ball joint. You will be able to move the knuckle and axle around enough to give you access to the four bolts securing the ball joint

Would help to unbolt the strut from the steering knuckle to help getting the knuckle off the ball joint.

there are ball joints on the bottom of the control arm and the upper "ball joints" are the upper strut mount attacthed to the strut holding the spring in place. the lower ball joing can be replaced removing the c clip on top and hammering out. be careful not to damage the arm. worse case you may need to remove the lower control arm and take to a machine shop to press out the old and press in the new. if you have a large vice, you may be able to do it too with some deep set sockets and the vice.

The entire control arm is supposed to be replaced on those when ball joint fails. Did you manage to buy another ball joint only?

its easier to get the whole control arm and the lower one has to be pressed in. it is not and easy job if you dont have the right tools checkout rockauto.com to look at the replacement parts and to get a price on them