1987 3/4 ton 4x4 ball joints

[blue22bomber]

How do i remove the upper ball joints? They look like they are screwed in. I've never seen this before. It is a GM 10 bolt

[andrewmp6]

It should be pressed in.

[crashz]

Yep - pressed in. Get a good ball joint tool kit and press it back out.

BTW- I did this with a BFH. Go them out OK, but when installing, I over-tightened the castle nut and cracked the casting. It didn't crack right away. Only when I put the truck back down on its wheels. Sounded like a shot gun being fired near my head. I'll never forget that. Young and Dumb: I'm still dumb, but no longer young.

[blue22bomber]

It looks like where the ball joint goes in has threads on it tho

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by blue22bomber

It looks like where the ball joint goes in has threads on it tho

Upper ball joints have a sleeve and a nut that need to be removed. The ball joint itself is not threaded.

You'll need a special OTC tool for the sleeve.

['68 Newtricks]

Snap-On has the right socket for the threaded collar for the outer "C". It doesn't have to come out though. Just take the castle nuts off and remove the knuckle, it drops right out. The ball joints are pressed. I used a Harbor Freight ball joint press. Use some penetrating lube on the joints, might help. Also use some grease on the threads of the tool, so they don't gall.

When you reinstall the knuckle with new ball joints, follow the torquing directions carefully. You will see where you need to torque down that threaded collar. At that point, either make a socket or buy one.

google

http://ramchargercentral.com/images/...ointSocket.jpg

though I'm not 100% positive this is the correct one, looks just like mine though
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SNAP-ON-S961...039623&vxp=mtr