Ball Joint Install

[rennalds]

OK two questions, First what is your guys' opinion is the easiest way to remove the rivets from the upper ball joint (upper control arm is detached)? Second how do you press the new lower ball joint into the lower arm (Is there a special tool or technique)?

[cdowns]

i grind to heads off and use a punch to drive out the rivets// i have a cheap ball joint press that i got many years ago from jcwhitney

[68GMCCustom]

can't you stick the ball joint in the arm and pull it thru with a nut?

[made2drag]

grind the rivots out of the upper and then bolt the new ones in. the lower, you hammer the old out and hammer the new in from the bottom. takes lots of hits with a sledge hammer. then screw in the grease fitting. if you are lowering it alot then make sure you cut/grind the bumpstop bracket off the lower so you dont have to wrestle with it later.

[Camaro_nut2001]

Originally Posted by rennalds

OK two questions, First what is your guys' opinion is the easiest way to remove the rivets from the upper ball joint (upper control arm is detached)? Second how do you press the new lower ball joint into the lower arm (Is there a special tool or technique)?

I drilled the rivets out on the upper ball joint and I haven't replaced the lower one yet but I don't like the idea of beating the new lower one in with a hammer. I will use a hyd. press when I do my lower one's. JMO

[rennalds]

Ok got the rivets out of the upper joint hour plus of grinding/ drilling lol. I called autozone and they rent a ball joint press I am guessing this will work for installing the lowers? Thanks for all the help!!!!!!!

[beebster]

a propane torch has always made removing the lowers alot easier.
they seem to "slide" right out after heating them up, (with the special removal tool of course)

[cdowns]

when installing top balljoints the bolts go up the nut is on top//if you install with screws pointing down it wont work

[bigsnookmaster]

I have installed lowers on the truck, by jacking the lower control arm up a bit,put the ball joint in place, put a solid piece of metal under the joint,lower the arm down on it,then smacking the arm to press the joint in place. If you smack up on the joint, the spring takes all the force, and it won't go in. Ask me how I know this! Lol

[71tahoe]

Originally Posted by made2drag

grind the rivots out of the upper and then bolt the new ones in. the lower, you hammer the old out and hammer the new in from the bottom. takes lots of hits with a sledge hammer. then screw in the grease fitting. if you are lowering it alot then make sure you cut/grind the bumpstop bracket off the lower so you dont have to wrestle with it later.

Start hammering on the ball joint and you will deform the joint socket and shorten the life of your brand new part. It may even be worse than the one you just took off.

I've used the rental tool before and it works ok if the ball joints are standard and not oversize. Now for $10 each I just drop the arms and ball joints at the machine shop and pick them up later all done.

[68GMCCustom]

...and why I bought a 12 ton press.

[67Dad]

Originally Posted by cdowns

i grind to heads off and use a punch to drive out the rivets// i have a cheap ball joint press that i got many years ago from jcwhitney

More questions...first, how do you know you REALLY need to replace them in the first place? We took everything off the frame and are now taking apart the front end (for cleanup, painting, refurb as needed), but without load, the joints seem OK (67 SWB).

Second, if we get ready to press the old out (C-clamp style or hydraulic...which is best?), are there bolts/snap rings to worry about first and reinstall after pressing new ones in?

Thanks in advance.

Mark

[cdowns]

lower bjoints just press out and in nothing else involved


as far as wear you just do visual inspection and grab wheel and push and shove to check for free play or slop to see if they r needed

[67Dad]

Thanks. If there is no obvious play, can it be possible that a '67 with original ball joints would NOT need replacement yet?

[my67c20]

Lets do the math 2010 - 1967 = 43 year old ball joint. If you have it apart why would you not replace them?

[swierker]

Originally Posted by my67c20

Lets do the math 2010 - 1967 = 43 year old ball joint. If you have it apart why would you not replace them?

I agree 100%. I'm getting ready to replace my suspension, front and rear, I'm replacing every wear part whether it needs it or not. I want to do it once and not have to to worry about it. Ball Joints are a no brainer though.

[67Dad]

Agreed. We came to the same conclusion. The BJs were a pain to get out, but the hard part is done, now.