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

hounddogs! · 12-30-2012, 10:36 PM

New parts coming for the conversion to a '71 DB front...

1. Will a block of wood and a BFH work on the lower ball joints, or do I need to borrow the installer kit from Advance Auto?
2. LCAs are freshly painted. Is the bore for the ball joint so tight that it should be stripped of paint and lubed?

**jayoldschool** · 12-30-2012, 11:16 PM

The BFH often works to pop old ones out, but you'll need the tool to install. You can McGuyver it with a big C clamp and a spacer. I'd clean the opening out, but wouldn't lube it.

Tx Firefighter · 12-31-2012, 08:58 AM

Definitely press the new ones in place. They fit tight enough that if you tried to pound them in place you'd likely mushroom and damage your stuff. It takes a good amount of steady push to get them in and seated fully. The rental tool from the parts store works well if you don't have a shop press. If you do have a big shop press, they work real nicely to press them in.

I always clean the ball joint bores in the arms to clean bare metal prior to installing new ball joints. They fit that tight.

hounddogs! · 12-31-2012, 10:01 AM

I'll do some paint removal and take the LCAs to the shop at work. Thanks for the input guys.

12-30-2012, 10:36 PM	#1
hounddogs! Restoring it $200 at a time... Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NE Kansas Posts: 887	Lower ball joint install New parts coming for the conversion to a '71 DB front... 1. Will a block of wood and a BFH work on the lower ball joints, or do I need to borrow the installer kit from Advance Auto? 2. LCAs are freshly painted. Is the bore for the ball joint so tight that it should be stripped of paint and lubed? __________________ Charter member of the 'Put the dimmer switch back on the damn floor where it belongs' Society '68 5.3L-4 speed LWB C20; grandpa bought it for the farm in '71. Now LS 5.3, rather than 327. DD '09 Pilot Weekender '65 Skylark 300-4V-4 speed Wife's '07 Lexus ES350; 117 actuator motors and I can't see the engine. Son's '04 F250 SuperCab 6.0

12-30-2012, 11:16 PM	#2
jayoldschool Moderator Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: ON, Canada Posts: 2,176	Re: Lower ball joint install The BFH often works to pop old ones out, but you'll need the tool to install. You can McGuyver it with a big C clamp and a spacer. I'd clean the opening out, but wouldn't lube it.

12-31-2012, 08:58 AM	#3
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Lower ball joint install Definitely press the new ones in place. They fit tight enough that if you tried to pound them in place you'd likely mushroom and damage your stuff. It takes a good amount of steady push to get them in and seated fully. The rental tool from the parts store works well if you don't have a shop press. If you do have a big shop press, they work real nicely to press them in. I always clean the ball joint bores in the arms to clean bare metal prior to installing new ball joints. They fit that tight.

12-31-2012, 10:01 AM	#4
hounddogs! Restoring it $200 at a time... Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NE Kansas Posts: 887	Re: Lower ball joint install I'll do some paint removal and take the LCAs to the shop at work. Thanks for the input guys. __________________ Charter member of the 'Put the dimmer switch back on the damn floor where it belongs' Society '68 5.3L-4 speed LWB C20; grandpa bought it for the farm in '71. Now LS 5.3, rather than 327. DD '09 Pilot Weekender '65 Skylark 300-4V-4 speed Wife's '07 Lexus ES350; 117 actuator motors and I can't see the engine. Son's '04 F250 SuperCab 6.0

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