I'm Confused....Balljoints - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rcbildr · 08-12-2007, 04:13 AM

I read both the Chilton and Haynes manuals about replacing the ball joints on my 4x4 Suburban, and the Chlitons says I have to remove the axle and the Haynes doesn't mention anything about it. There is just enough difference in what the books say that has me confused. So what is the way to do it? Does anyone have any tips for doing this? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

BTW...my plan is to remove the knuckles and have someone r & r the joints.

Thanks!

watahyahknow · 08-12-2007, 04:48 AM

i'm guessing the use different pullers too and it has to do with how good you can get too the baljoint with it ,
guess you have to crawl under the truck and look at wat will work for you

jor · 08-12-2007, 01:53 PM

I just removed the ball joints on my 87 Suburban 4X4. I had the axle out of the truck but you could do it without taking the axle out. You'll have to remove the spindles and steering knuckles. That's the way the factory shop manual describes the process, btw. I had never done ball joints before. I picked up a ball joint tool from Harbor Freight and I have to say it worked great. I used it with an impact wrench. Here's a couple of photos. Good luck.
jor

rcbildr · 08-12-2007, 02:12 PM

THanks for the pics and info. I noticed you have the steering arm removed, does that also have to come off or can I work around it? Thanks!

jor · 08-12-2007, 02:35 PM

Yea, the steering arm has to come off. I had a hard time breaking mine loose but it finally came. Incidentally, I just picked up my replacement ball joints yesterday at Merle's (Tucson store). They sell Moog parts. Anyhow, the uppers were $72 for the pair and the lowers, $80. You can get them at about 1/3 that price at Autozone but I don't know about the quality. One thing to remember. If you are doing both the uppers and lowers, you must remove the lower first. Otherwise you can't get to the lower one.
jor

rcbildr · 08-13-2007, 03:46 PM

I was afraid of that. Hopefully, it won't be too difficult for my project, I just swapped out the arm when I did the lift.

The Haynes manual mentions the ball joint adjuster nut, did you have to mess with that at all?

Thanks!!!

08-12-2007, 04:13 AM	#1
rcbildr Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Gold Bar, WA Posts: 1,216	I'm Confused....Balljoints I read both the Chilton and Haynes manuals about replacing the ball joints on my 4x4 Suburban, and the Chlitons says I have to remove the axle and the Haynes doesn't mention anything about it. There is just enough difference in what the books say that has me confused. So what is the way to do it? Does anyone have any tips for doing this? Any help will be greatly appreciated. BTW...my plan is to remove the knuckles and have someone r & r the joints. Thanks! __________________ My Projects: 1960 GMC 1/2ton with 305 V6 (daily driver) 1963 Chevy 1/2ton 2wd...converting to 4x4 1967 Suburban 1/2ton 2wd My Girlfriends Projects 1985 Chevy Suburban 3/4ton 4x4 with 6.2L diesel, 4" lift, converted to TH-400, Warn Premium manual hubs, & Wildcat 315/75/R16 tires. (daily driver) 1978 Camaro Type LT with a Marine 350 & vortec heads, Rochester Carb, & roller cam 1978 Camaro Z28

08-12-2007, 04:48 AM	#2
watahyahknow Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: the netherlands europe Posts: 4,335	Re: I'm Confused....Balljoints i'm guessing the use different pullers too and it has to do with how good you can get too the baljoint with it , guess you have to crawl under the truck and look at wat will work for you __________________ i got a job again and having fun at it too idea's for the trucks and the order of things to do are taking shape and get closer to being realized , a few more months and i be able to start building for real i complete 2 of the trucks intoo running fashion one custom and one basicly stock the thirth will be sacrificed for parts

08-12-2007, 01:53 PM	#3
jor Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson Posts: 44	Re: I'm Confused....Balljoints I just removed the ball joints on my 87 Suburban 4X4. I had the axle out of the truck but you could do it without taking the axle out. You'll have to remove the spindles and steering knuckles. That's the way the factory shop manual describes the process, btw. I had never done ball joints before. I picked up a ball joint tool from Harbor Freight and I have to say it worked great. I used it with an impact wrench. Here's a couple of photos. Good luck. jor Last edited by jor; 08-12-2007 at 01:54 PM.

08-12-2007, 02:12 PM	#4
rcbildr Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Gold Bar, WA Posts: 1,216	Re: I'm Confused....Balljoints THanks for the pics and info. I noticed you have the steering arm removed, does that also have to come off or can I work around it? Thanks! __________________ My Projects: 1960 GMC 1/2ton with 305 V6 (daily driver) 1963 Chevy 1/2ton 2wd...converting to 4x4 1967 Suburban 1/2ton 2wd My Girlfriends Projects 1985 Chevy Suburban 3/4ton 4x4 with 6.2L diesel, 4" lift, converted to TH-400, Warn Premium manual hubs, & Wildcat 315/75/R16 tires. (daily driver) 1978 Camaro Type LT with a Marine 350 & vortec heads, Rochester Carb, & roller cam 1978 Camaro Z28

08-12-2007, 02:35 PM	#5
jor Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson Posts: 44	Re: I'm Confused....Balljoints Yea, the steering arm has to come off. I had a hard time breaking mine loose but it finally came. Incidentally, I just picked up my replacement ball joints yesterday at Merle's (Tucson store). They sell Moog parts. Anyhow, the uppers were $72 for the pair and the lowers, $80. You can get them at about 1/3 that price at Autozone but I don't know about the quality. One thing to remember. If you are doing both the uppers and lowers, you must remove the lower first. Otherwise you can't get to the lower one. jor Last edited by jor; 08-12-2007 at 02:36 PM.

08-13-2007, 03:46 PM	#6
rcbildr Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Gold Bar, WA Posts: 1,216	Re: I'm Confused....Balljoints I was afraid of that. Hopefully, it won't be too difficult for my project, I just swapped out the arm when I did the lift. The Haynes manual mentions the ball joint adjuster nut, did you have to mess with that at all? Thanks!!! __________________ My Projects: 1960 GMC 1/2ton with 305 V6 (daily driver) 1963 Chevy 1/2ton 2wd...converting to 4x4 1967 Suburban 1/2ton 2wd My Girlfriends Projects 1985 Chevy Suburban 3/4ton 4x4 with 6.2L diesel, 4" lift, converted to TH-400, Warn Premium manual hubs, & Wildcat 315/75/R16 tires. (daily driver) 1978 Camaro Type LT with a Marine 350 & vortec heads, Rochester Carb, & roller cam 1978 Camaro Z28



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