Ball joint removal - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jim_PA · 10-20-2005, 10:28 PM

I'm taking the drum spindles off my truck to put on disc spindles, and I'm not sure how to get the ball joints out. I have the tie rod end off, and the cotter pin and castle nut off the upper and lower ball joints.

Is there something else that holds them in? Or do I need to just pound the s out of something?

cdowns · 10-20-2005, 11:02 PM

the best $25 you can spend is on a service manual

djracer · 10-20-2005, 11:03 PM

Put the nuts back on before you go beating on the spindle or you may need a new GRILL for your face or worse! That should be all it takes!

Kevin

Jim_PA · 10-20-2005, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

the best $25 you can spend is on a service manual

Great advice, thanks for the help!

Jim_PA · 10-20-2005, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djracer

Put the nuts back on before you go beating on the spindle or you may need a new GRILL for your face or worse! That should be all it takes!

Kevin

I have pressure on the A-Arm from underneath. I'm not too worried about the spring smashing my face.

73stepside · 10-20-2005, 11:17 PM

i would tie the spring down just in case. you can either use a pickle fork to seperate or you can just hit the top of the ball joint stud with a bfh. either way you'll most likely trash the old ball joint. top is a little eaier to do but the same principle holds. i had to cut some of the stud off of the driver side lower and pound it with a 5lb sledge to get the ball joint to let go of the spindle.

djracer · 10-20-2005, 11:22 PM

I always keep a jack under it too but I have pulled lots of them apart the nuts don't need to be tight its just a lot safer! the top one doesn't matter. Usually a good 2lb sledge will get the job done without damage to the ball joints!

Jim_PA · 10-21-2005, 06:53 AM

Great -- thanks-- Any tips to installing?

Joe67 · 10-21-2005, 07:05 AM

I took the lower arm to the auto parts store, had them remove the old and press in the new ball joint, all for $10 or so

**truckdude239** · 10-21-2005, 09:54 AM

+use an hammer to take them out when you need an ball joint press to press them back inalot of autostores loan them out

Jim_PA · 10-21-2005, 10:03 AM

Anyone ever use this?: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38335

Was wondering specifically if the adapters that came with this fit our trucks.

djracer · 10-21-2005, 10:18 AM

I bought one and it works great! Its a little tricky to figure out but works great!

Kevin

Jim_PA · 10-21-2005, 06:00 PM

Stopped by harbor freight on the way home from work... 3pc service kit shown above was on sale for 29.99!!

Now if I can just figure out how to use this thing

73stepside · 10-21-2005, 06:16 PM

it's not to difficult to figure out. i have the same kit. the 2 thick disc pieces are the pieces that go on the ends of the c clamp. the cylinders go around the ball joint(over the top or under) to either install or remove it. mess around with it a bit and you'll get it. i use a 22mm wrench or a 1/2 drive 22mm soket with a cheater bar to remove and install the ball joints

10-20-2005, 10:28 PM	#1
Jim_PA Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 2,696	Ball joint removal I'm taking the drum spindles off my truck to put on disc spindles, and I'm not sure how to get the ball joints out. I have the tie rod end off, and the cotter pin and castle nut off the upper and lower ball joints. Is there something else that holds them in? Or do I need to just pound the s out of something?

10-20-2005, 11:02 PM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Ball joint removal the best $25 you can spend is on a service manual __________________ 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

10-20-2005, 11:03 PM	#3
djracer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Wetumpka, Al, U.S. Posts: 8,891	Re: Ball joint removal Put the nuts back on before you go beating on the spindle or you may need a new GRILL for your face or worse! That should be all it takes! Kevin __________________ Kevin Special Thanks to All who have helped on the TRUCK! My Pass Time Show http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p...Chapter1-0.mp4 So Far my best Times are: Motor only: 6.44 1/8 @ 104.13 10.39 1/4 @ 125.83 Nitrous Times: 5.785 1/8 @ 118.65 with a 1.336 60ft 9.168 1/4 @ 142.58 with a 250 shot dead out of the hole!

10-20-2005, 11:17 PM	#6
73stepside Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Moore OK 73160 Posts: 974	Re: Ball joint removal i would tie the spring down just in case. you can either use a pickle fork to seperate or you can just hit the top of the ball joint stud with a bfh. either way you'll most likely trash the old ball joint. top is a little eaier to do but the same principle holds. i had to cut some of the stud off of the driver side lower and pound it with a 5lb sledge to get the ball joint to let go of the spindle. __________________ 04 GMC Sierra RCSS 70 CST LWB 04 HD Sportster 1200 Custom

10-20-2005, 11:22 PM	#7
djracer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Wetumpka, Al, U.S. Posts: 8,891	Re: Ball joint removal I always keep a jack under it too but I have pulled lots of them apart the nuts don't need to be tight its just a lot safer! the top one doesn't matter. Usually a good 2lb sledge will get the job done without damage to the ball joints! __________________ Kevin Special Thanks to All who have helped on the TRUCK! My Pass Time Show http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p...Chapter1-0.mp4 So Far my best Times are: Motor only: 6.44 1/8 @ 104.13 10.39 1/4 @ 125.83 Nitrous Times: 5.785 1/8 @ 118.65 with a 1.336 60ft 9.168 1/4 @ 142.58 with a 250 shot dead out of the hole!

10-21-2005, 06:53 AM	#8
Jim_PA Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 2,696	Re: Ball joint removal Great -- thanks-- Any tips to installing?

10-21-2005, 07:05 AM	#9
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,738	Re: Ball joint removal I took the lower arm to the auto parts store, had them remove the old and press in the new ball joint, all for $10 or so __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

10-21-2005, 09:54 AM	#10
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,237	Re: Ball joint removal +use an hammer to take them out when you need an ball joint press to press them back inalot of autostores loan them out

10-21-2005, 10:03 AM	#11
Jim_PA Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 2,696	Re: Ball joint removal Anyone ever use this?: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38335 Was wondering specifically if the adapters that came with this fit our trucks.

10-21-2005, 10:18 AM	#12
djracer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Wetumpka, Al, U.S. Posts: 8,891	Re: Ball joint removal I bought one and it works great! Its a little tricky to figure out but works great! Kevin __________________ Kevin Special Thanks to All who have helped on the TRUCK! My Pass Time Show http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p...Chapter1-0.mp4 So Far my best Times are: Motor only: 6.44 1/8 @ 104.13 10.39 1/4 @ 125.83 Nitrous Times: 5.785 1/8 @ 118.65 with a 1.336 60ft 9.168 1/4 @ 142.58 with a 250 shot dead out of the hole!

10-21-2005, 06:00 PM	#13
Jim_PA Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 2,696	Re: Ball joint removal Stopped by harbor freight on the way home from work... 3pc service kit shown above was on sale for 29.99!! Now if I can just figure out how to use this thing Last edited by Jim_PA; 10-21-2005 at 06:01 PM.

10-21-2005, 06:16 PM	#14
73stepside Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Moore OK 73160 Posts: 974	Re: Ball joint removal it's not to difficult to figure out. i have the same kit. the 2 thick disc pieces are the pieces that go on the ends of the c clamp. the cylinders go around the ball joint(over the top or under) to either install or remove it. mess around with it a bit and you'll get it. i use a 22mm wrench or a 1/2 drive 22mm soket with a cheater bar to remove and install the ball joints __________________ 04 GMC Sierra RCSS 70 CST LWB 04 HD Sportster 1200 Custom

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