ball joint replacement - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

adkphoto · 06-03-2006, 04:46 PM

Got a 2/4 lowering kit from early classic. Replaced all the rear parts easily since the bed is off: New springs, shocks, panhard bar, shock relocating mounts.

Now working on the front. Replacing the 34 year old ball joints today (in the rain... yeah that's fun).

Anybody have advice on how to remove the upper ball joint.

I've cut off the rivets... now do I just wail on it with a big a** hammer and chisel or is there a more elegant way to get them out?

David

**dennislbrooks** · 06-03-2006, 05:10 PM

Easiest done by removing the upper a-arm. then support the edges and knock it out. You can also use a correct size punch and drive the studs out. A chisel helps sometimes. Best way --- I actually drilled the rivets out.

ChevyDude · 06-03-2006, 05:13 PM

I ground em' down to flat and then you will see the circle outline...choose appropriate punch and with a 3 pound emma....pound them out!

matthufham · 06-03-2006, 07:48 PM

as chevydude mentioned on the rivits, and if you can't get the ball joint off the control arms, just hit em with a big fat hammer.

cornutz · 06-04-2006, 12:14 AM

BEAT EM LIKE YOU OWN EM.... cause you do!

adkphoto · 06-05-2006, 08:46 AM

Rivets didn't want to drive out (starting to hate those little buggers). So, Yeah. I beat on those puppies with a BAH and a chisel around the edges until they said uncle.

I took it easy on the first upper ball joint. The second one, I beat the hell out of (took a lot less time that way :-)

No easy way to do this job. But it sure pays off with the fresh feel to the steering.

David

67Fleet · 06-05-2006, 08:53 AM

Air hammer with bull point bit. They'll come right out.

toddtheodd · 06-05-2006, 08:54 AM

isn't that what a ball joint pickle fork is for?

adkphoto · 06-05-2006, 09:07 AM

Pickle fork separates the ball joint from the spindle.

Separating the ball joint from the A frames is another story.

D

cornutz · 06-05-2006, 10:51 AM

I just did this same thing on the 72 burb this weekend... used a big beater and a huge socket that rode the outside of the lower ball joint and some anti-sieze and she slowly listened to me as I talked her into her new home!

ChevyDude · 06-05-2006, 10:56 AM

They will come out. Like said above, support the A arm. Position punch appropriately, a few good whacks....they'll be laying on the floor.

06-03-2006, 04:46 PM	#1
adkphoto Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Camillus, NY USA Posts: 79	ball joint replacement Got a 2/4 lowering kit from early classic. Replaced all the rear parts easily since the bed is off: New springs, shocks, panhard bar, shock relocating mounts. Now working on the front. Replacing the 34 year old ball joints today (in the rain... yeah that's fun). Anybody have advice on how to remove the upper ball joint. I've cut off the rivets... now do I just wail on it with a big a** hammer and chisel or is there a more elegant way to get them out? David __________________ 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super LWB Chevy Red/White with rally wheels. Not-so-Stock 350, A/T, A/C, tilt. Vroom, Vroom.... ===================== David Colbert dcolbert@twcny.rr.com Work hard, play harder!

06-03-2006, 05:10 PM	#2
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,787	Re: ball joint replacement Easiest done by removing the upper a-arm. then support the edges and knock it out. You can also use a correct size punch and drive the studs out. A chisel helps sometimes. Best way --- I actually drilled the rivets out.

06-03-2006, 05:13 PM	#3
ChevyDude Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 3,071	Re: ball joint replacement I ground em' down to flat and then you will see the circle outline...choose appropriate punch and with a 3 pound emma....pound them out!

06-03-2006, 07:48 PM	#4
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	Re: ball joint replacement as chevydude mentioned on the rivits, and if you can't get the ball joint off the control arms, just hit em with a big fat hammer.

06-04-2006, 12:14 AM	#5
cornutz All Praise RANDY!! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Central California Posts: 391	Re: ball joint replacement BEAT EM LIKE YOU OWN EM.... cause you do!

06-05-2006, 08:46 AM	#6
adkphoto Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Camillus, NY USA Posts: 79	Re: ball joint replacement Rivets didn't want to drive out (starting to hate those little buggers). So, Yeah. I beat on those puppies with a BAH and a chisel around the edges until they said uncle. I took it easy on the first upper ball joint. The second one, I beat the hell out of (took a lot less time that way :-) No easy way to do this job. But it sure pays off with the fresh feel to the steering. David __________________ 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super LWB Chevy Red/White with rally wheels. Not-so-Stock 350, A/T, A/C, tilt. Vroom, Vroom.... ===================== David Colbert dcolbert@twcny.rr.com Work hard, play harder!

06-05-2006, 08:53 AM	#7
67Fleet Outlandish Trends - FL Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,396	Re: ball joint replacement Air hammer with bull point bit. They'll come right out. __________________ -Bret 67 short-fleet sold!

06-05-2006, 08:54 AM	#8
toddtheodd The oddest Todd around Join Date: May 2004 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,418	Re: ball joint replacement isn't that what a ball joint pickle fork is for? __________________ "The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies and chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth and see those dear to them bathed in tears, to ride their horses and clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters." Ghengis Khan IIOY???

06-05-2006, 09:07 AM	#9
adkphoto Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Camillus, NY USA Posts: 79	Re: ball joint replacement Pickle fork separates the ball joint from the spindle. Separating the ball joint from the A frames is another story. D __________________ 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super LWB Chevy Red/White with rally wheels. Not-so-Stock 350, A/T, A/C, tilt. Vroom, Vroom.... ===================== David Colbert dcolbert@twcny.rr.com Work hard, play harder!

06-05-2006, 10:51 AM	#10
cornutz All Praise RANDY!! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Central California Posts: 391	Re: ball joint replacement I just did this same thing on the 72 burb this weekend... used a big beater and a huge socket that rode the outside of the lower ball joint and some anti-sieze and she slowly listened to me as I talked her into her new home!

06-05-2006, 10:56 AM	#11
ChevyDude Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 3,071	Re: ball joint replacement They will come out. Like said above, support the A arm. Position punch appropriately, a few good whacks....they'll be laying on the floor.



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