spindle and ball joint ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BeerMonkeY · 04-06-2005, 12:40 PM

how are the ball joints held in on my 89 burb? i got drop spindles coming and i need new ball joints so i figured this would be a good time to change them. also is the shaft the same size on djm spindles as stock or do i need a noew bearing also.

fastbagged68 · 04-06-2005, 01:54 PM

Lowers are pressed. Uppers might be pressed, but I don't think so. They might be bolted up like the older trucks. Why don't you go and look at your control arms.

BeerMonkeY · 04-06-2005, 03:58 PM

cause idont want to take the tires off and i cant see them with tthem on there

fastbagged68 · 04-06-2005, 05:21 PM

You dont need to take your wheel off! Crank the steering wheel one way and go look at the top one....You should be able to take a quick glance and know if it is pressed or rivet/bolted!

BeerMonkeY · 04-06-2005, 06:43 PM

oh, ill give that a try. i guess it doesnt really matter how there on there cause i have to change them no matter what

boxrodz · 04-07-2005, 12:17 AM

Yes, as fastbagged68 said, the lower ball joints are pressed in. If the uppers are original, then they attached via rivets. The replacement for the uppers should include bolts/nuts instead of rivets. Just grind/drill out the rivets and install the replacements with the bolts/nuts. Some local auto stores loan out a ball joint clamp to remove and install the lower ball joints. Or, you'll need to remove the LCA to have a machine shop press them out/in. Good luck.

BeerMonkeY · 04-08-2005, 10:15 AM

so theres no chance of beating it out?

boxrodz · 04-08-2005, 03:24 PM

You really don't want to beat them out. You'll do more damage than good. Use a press instead. As far as your eariler question goes, if you've ordered the correct drop spindle, the shafts should be the same. If your wheel bearings are worn, now's a good time to replace them. You may want to check the condition of your rotors and pads while you're at it.

smokekiki · 04-08-2005, 04:24 PM

BeerMonkey,do You have an autozone near You?They have a ball joint press You can rent for free.Just need a credit card or cash for colateral.

BeerMonkeY · 04-08-2005, 04:53 PM

yeah theres 1 nearby ill just get one from there. and my brakes are new last summer. as far as the bearings go they looked ok when ii had the rotors off a couple months ago to put in new lug studs so ill brob just leave them alone

04-06-2005, 12:40 PM	#1
BeerMonkeY sold Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: PA Posts: 227	spindle and ball joint ? how are the ball joints held in on my 89 burb? i got drop spindles coming and i need new ball joints so i figured this would be a good time to change them. also is the shaft the same size on djm spindles as stock or do i need a noew bearing also.

04-07-2005, 12:17 AM	#6
boxrodz Until Seventy Times Seven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range Posts: 1,301	Yes, as fastbagged68 said, the lower ball joints are pressed in. If the uppers are original, then they attached via rivets. The replacement for the uppers should include bolts/nuts instead of rivets. Just grind/drill out the rivets and install the replacements with the bolts/nuts. Some local auto stores loan out a ball joint clamp to remove and install the lower ball joints. Or, you'll need to remove the LCA to have a machine shop press them out/in. Good luck. __________________ boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin...

04-08-2005, 03:24 PM	#8
boxrodz Until Seventy Times Seven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range Posts: 1,301	You really don't want to beat them out. You'll do more damage than good. Use a press instead. As far as your eariler question goes, if you've ordered the correct drop spindle, the shafts should be the same. If your wheel bearings are worn, now's a good time to replace them. You may want to check the condition of your rotors and pads while you're at it. __________________ boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin...

04-08-2005, 04:24 PM	#9
smokekiki Mike Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: west chester pa Posts: 2,474	BeerMonkey,do You have an autozone near You?They have a ball joint press You can rent for free.Just need a credit card or cash for colateral. __________________ 70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires

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04-06-2005, 01:54 PM	#2
fastbagged68 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tri Valley California Posts: 792	Lowers are pressed. Uppers might be pressed, but I don't think so. They might be bolted up like the older trucks. Why don't you go and look at your control arms.

04-06-2005, 03:58 PM	#3
BeerMonkeY sold Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: PA Posts: 227	cause idont want to take the tires off and i cant see them with tthem on there

04-06-2005, 05:21 PM	#4
fastbagged68 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Tri Valley California Posts: 792	You dont need to take your wheel off! Crank the steering wheel one way and go look at the top one....You should be able to take a quick glance and know if it is pressed or rivet/bolted!

04-06-2005, 06:43 PM	#5
BeerMonkeY sold Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: PA Posts: 227	oh, ill give that a try. i guess it doesnt really matter how there on there cause i have to change them no matter what

04-08-2005, 10:15 AM	#7
BeerMonkeY sold Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: PA Posts: 227	so theres no chance of beating it out?

04-08-2005, 04:53 PM	#10
BeerMonkeY sold Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: PA Posts: 227	yeah theres 1 nearby ill just get one from there. and my brakes are new last summer. as far as the bearings go they looked ok when ii had the rotors off a couple months ago to put in new lug studs so ill brob just leave them alone



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