upper and lower ball joints

[chevyaz]

I want to

Topic

[dollman0]

I would suggest you check with PepBoys or a similar shop who does that type of work. Ball Joints can be a real nightmare due to rust and other factors. You also have to deal with the safety issues. Once you separate the lower control arm, it can unleash the spring. Next, it requires special tools to R&R the ball Joint.

MOOG makes the best suspension parts also under the Carquest label. Perfect Circle is a top brand from Napa. I have had good luck with parts from BAP Imports in Phoenix… The grease you use in these ball joints can determine how long they last.

[chevyaz]

Problem is they want to charge $500.00 to do the job thats way to much for my pocket book to handle. Looked at BAP and they have a decent price on ball joints OEM will work for me.Looking for a video to explain more info.

[dollman0]

This video series applies to a F series Ford, your Chevrolet is similar.
http://youtu.be/XckEjdAUohI
http://youtu.be/8KSKg5KHzlE
http://youtu.be/8T2ZCEZl20g
http://youtu.be/r0jzwDIlDbA
http://youtu.be/IVluVuiFnlw pressing out lower ball Joint
http://youtu.be/ujQ5FfBjBIc setting up the press to install
http://youtu.be/0z-gCDC8oOw Pressing in ball joint
http://youtu.be/zpi3bde7Q2c install snap ring
http://youtu.be/IDVabo5CC2E install spindle
http://youtu.be/RfBBW-4EqyU tighten ball joint nuts
http://youtu.be/RnoBX9_OJ0U grease ball joints

My software shows the upper ball joint has rivets, grind them off and punch them out as directed in your manual, be sure to torque the bolts. I did not include a video because the Ford is different from your Chevy.

As I stated before, this procedure has some risk of injury if the spring is released. The video above has a shock going through the spring and keeps it from coming out, I am not sure of the exact set-up of your truck. Just be safe and secure it if necessary and get a buddy to help you.

[chevyaz]

Quoted From dollman0:

This video series applies to a F series Ford, your Chevrolet is similar.
http://youtu.be/XckEjdAUohI
http://youtu.be/8KSKg5KHzlE
http://youtu.be/8T2ZCEZl20g
http://youtu.be/r0jzwDIlDbA
http://youtu.be/IVluVuiFnlw pressing out lower ball Joint
http://youtu.be/ujQ5FfBjBIc setting up the press to install
http://youtu.be/0z-gCDC8oOw Pressing in ball joint
http://youtu.be/zpi3bde7Q2c install snap ring
http://youtu.be/IDVabo5CC2E install spindle
http://youtu.be/RfBBW-4EqyU tighten ball joint nuts
http://youtu.be/RnoBX9_OJ0U grease ball joints

My software shows the upper ball joint has rivets, grind them off and punch them out as directed in your manual, be sure to torque the bolts. I did not include a video because the Ford is different from your Chevy.

As I stated before, this procedure has some risk of injury if the spring is released. The video above has a shock going through the spring and keeps it from coming out, I am not sure of the exact set-up of your truck. Just be safe and secure it if necessary and get a buddy to help you.

Those are excellent videos my man thanks. Pretty much the same way it would be on a Chevy.I think I can do it now my buddy said its not to hard to do so next weekend its going to be done. Thanks for your help.

[dollman0]

Another thing to check is the control arm bushings, I have changed a bunch of the upper bushings on large GM cars due to dry rot.

[joescorpio]

most origional ball joints and tie rod ends are held on by rivets just drill them out the new part will come with bolts and nuts, i would definitley get someone to help you or atleast to watch out for you in case you do get injured but i think if you put a jack under the ball joint it should be ok

[3SheetsDiesel]

As has already been stated, these ball joints are riveted onto the control arms. Just cut the heads off of the rivets, I typically use an air hammer with a chisel bit for that, punch out the remnants of the rivet and the ball joint will essentially fall off (in the case of the upper) or slide out of the control arm (in the case of the lower). The new ones should come with nuts, bolts, and potentially washers as well as some grease fittings. Put the grease fittings into the ball joints, then bolt them to the control arms. It’s a really easy job, with no real special tools required. You could use a drill to remove the rivet heads, or a regular hammer and a chisel. I use an air hammer because it’s faster, but if you don’t have access to power tools, then you just do what you’ve gotta do.

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