Changing Lower Ball Joints - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Stanford · 08-04-2004, 06:53 PM

I ordered new coil springs for the front and the rear. When I go to change out the front coils Im also going to replace the lower ball joints. Im wondering if I have to press them out and if I can do that with out taking the spindle off. I was also wanting to know if they make a replacement that is not a press in type. Any information that you guys have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Aaron Stanford

walker · 08-04-2004, 07:24 PM

As best I recall lower ball joint is press in/out only. Yes you have to remove the spindle. Best way is to remove the whole a-arm and take it to a machine shop and have them swap the ball joints for you. Don't try it with a hammer, or a vice.

cdowns · 08-04-2004, 07:39 PM

i have a small balljoint press that was inexpensive from jcwhitney and you just press the old ones out and the new ones in you might be able to rent one thats similar from your local autoparts store i've never found it necessacery to remove the a-arms when replacing balljoints i'd also suggest changing the uppers while you have the suspension apart

HuggerCST · 08-04-2004, 07:40 PM

The way I do it- Pop the lower ball joint loose, prop the spindle up on a jackstand to keep it out of the way, and use what I call a ball joint press, which looks like a big C-clamp with a hole in one end. You can probably rent one at an auto parts store like autozone. They are press in joints, and no, I dont think they make a replacement that isn't press in.

MACKL · 08-04-2004, 07:44 PM

There is no other way to remove or install lower ball joints except to press them. If you are mechanical enough, go to Autozone and use their loan a tool program. They have a loaner ball joint press. It works like a dream. I installed mine 3 weeks ago in about 30 minutes. The machine shop wanted $35.00 per side just to press in the ball joints.
Be very careful with the coil springs. A floor jack will work but for safety, also chain the coil spring to the lower control arm in case something goes wrong and it trys to go flying. Good luck with the project...

68 Suburban · 08-04-2004, 07:49 PM

Are the uppers pressed in to, or they held on by rivits/bolts?

HuggerCST · 08-04-2004, 07:54 PM

The factory used rivits for the uppers, but the replacements will come with bolts.

Stanford · 08-04-2004, 09:46 PM

Thanks for all the advice guys I appreciate it. Any guesses on how long I should book for this project.

Thanks again,

Aaron Stanford

chickenwing · 08-04-2004, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanford

Thanks for all the advice guys I appreciate it. Any guesses on how long I should book for this project.

Thanks again,

Aaron Stanford

That depends on your skill. The formula I use for labor estimating is:
(first guess x 2) x #of wrong parts

Fred T · 08-05-2004, 12:01 AM

Years back I swapped one of the press in lowers on the truck. I used a portable press called a forklift!

If you need someone to press them for you, talk to your local mechanic. Some of them have a press, and shouldn't charge too much. Your Napa store might have a press in the back room or one of the c-clamp style press tools you can use on the vehicle.

The lower control arm doesn't take a lot to remove. Use a pickle fork to pop the ball joint loose. Chain the spring, unbolt the shock and disconnect the u-bolts holding the control arm to the cross-member, then take the nut off the ball joint.

How's life in St John these days? Is the hub of Saturday night activity still the highway junction where you sit and watch the bunker light flash?

flip66 · 08-05-2004, 02:40 AM

I know how we all feel about auto zone but they will rent a ball joint press.

68 Suburban · 08-05-2004, 04:21 AM

Didn't I read somewhere a while back, that you should upgrade those U bolts to a size bigger?

08-04-2004, 06:53 PM	#1
Stanford WILLY FOR PRESIDENT!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 190	Changing Lower Ball Joints I ordered new coil springs for the front and the rear. When I go to change out the front coils Im also going to replace the lower ball joints. Im wondering if I have to press them out and if I can do that with out taking the spindle off. I was also wanting to know if they make a replacement that is not a press in type. Any information that you guys have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Aaron Stanford __________________ *"He's a high tech REDNECK."* George Jones '67 C/10 FOR SALE!! $600, runs, strait grill, good parts, or beater truck '68 GMC K25, 4x4, current project '71 Custom/10, Crate 350, My Baby!! '97 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP

08-04-2004, 07:24 PM	#2
walker Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: north of Phx AZ about 30 miles Posts: 698	As best I recall lower ball joint is press in/out only. Yes you have to remove the spindle. Best way is to remove the whole a-arm and take it to a machine shop and have them swap the ball joints for you. Don't try it with a hammer, or a vice. __________________ Andy,Phx AZ '67 C-10 (Ahhh, done at last. Well there is that disk front end I want to put in and...) "23 C-Cab-sold '48 Ford 8N tractor(still working) '67 Scout(Now on the road) '70 MG B.-sold

08-04-2004, 07:39 PM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	i have a small balljoint press that was inexpensive from jcwhitney and you just press the old ones out and the new ones in you might be able to rent one thats similar from your local autoparts store i've never found it necessacery to remove the a-arms when replacing balljoints i'd also suggest changing the uppers while you have the suspension apart __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

08-04-2004, 07:40 PM	#4
HuggerCST Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Louisiana Posts: 4,501	The way I do it- Pop the lower ball joint loose, prop the spindle up on a jackstand to keep it out of the way, and use what I call a ball joint press, which looks like a big C-clamp with a hole in one end. You can probably rent one at an auto parts store like autozone. They are press in joints, and no, I dont think they make a replacement that isn't press in. __________________ Wynne 70 CST short fleet Hugger orange & white, 350/350, ps, pb, air, tilt, tach/vac/speedwarning, original buckets, AM/FM, oak bed floor, shoulder belts, 3.5"/5.5" drop, 20" American Racing VN425s. Build thread 53 Chevy shortbed 69 Camaro Click here to subscribe Chevy GMC International Truck Club Louisiana Charter Member http://www.louisianaclassictruckclub.com

08-04-2004, 07:44 PM	#5
MACKL Almost done! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Woodstock GA Posts: 193	There is no other way to remove or install lower ball joints except to press them. If you are mechanical enough, go to Autozone and use their loan a tool program. They have a loaner ball joint press. It works like a dream. I installed mine 3 weeks ago in about 30 minutes. The machine shop wanted $35.00 per side just to press in the ball joints. Be very careful with the coil springs. A floor jack will work but for safety, also chain the coil spring to the lower control arm in case something goes wrong and it trys to go flying. Good luck with the project... __________________ The 1970 SWB Project Removed 6cyl manual trans, manual everything V8-350 Auto/PS/PDB Blazer Fuel Tank Behind the Marker Light Fuel Fill Last edited by MACKL; 08-04-2004 at 07:48 PM.

08-04-2004, 07:49 PM	#6
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	Are the uppers pressed in to, or they held on by rivits/bolts? __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

08-04-2004, 07:54 PM	#7
HuggerCST Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Louisiana Posts: 4,501	The factory used rivits for the uppers, but the replacements will come with bolts. __________________ Wynne 70 CST short fleet Hugger orange & white, 350/350, ps, pb, air, tilt, tach/vac/speedwarning, original buckets, AM/FM, oak bed floor, shoulder belts, 3.5"/5.5" drop, 20" American Racing VN425s. Build thread 53 Chevy shortbed 69 Camaro Click here to subscribe Chevy GMC International Truck Club Louisiana Charter Member http://www.louisianaclassictruckclub.com

08-04-2004, 09:46 PM	#8
Stanford WILLY FOR PRESIDENT!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 190	Thanks for all the advice guys I appreciate it. Any guesses on how long I should book for this project. Thanks again, Aaron Stanford __________________ *"He's a high tech REDNECK."* George Jones '67 C/10 FOR SALE!! $600, runs, strait grill, good parts, or beater truck '68 GMC K25, 4x4, current project '71 Custom/10, Crate 350, My Baby!! '97 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP

08-05-2004, 12:01 AM	#10
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Years back I swapped one of the press in lowers on the truck. I used a portable press called a forklift! If you need someone to press them for you, talk to your local mechanic. Some of them have a press, and shouldn't charge too much. Your Napa store might have a press in the back room or one of the c-clamp style press tools you can use on the vehicle. The lower control arm doesn't take a lot to remove. Use a pickle fork to pop the ball joint loose. Chain the spring, unbolt the shock and disconnect the u-bolts holding the control arm to the cross-member, then take the nut off the ball joint. How's life in St John these days? Is the hub of Saturday night activity still the highway junction where you sit and watch the bunker light flash? __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

08-05-2004, 02:40 AM	#11
flip66 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Garland TX Dallas area Posts: 658	I know how we all feel about auto zone but they will rent a ball joint press. Last edited by flip66; 08-06-2004 at 01:14 AM.

08-05-2004, 04:21 AM	#12
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	Didn't I read somewhere a while back, that you should upgrade those U bolts to a size bigger? __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.



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