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#1 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Orem, Utah
Posts: 7,917
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Ball Joints on 4X4 - how involved?
OK, I know I could have posted this on the Blazer page or on the 4X4 page, but I figured more people hang out here so I might get a quicker response. I'm kind of in a hurry because I'm taking the boys to Scout camp next week and I wanted to take the Blazer.
I've got a 72 Blazer K5 I just got running. I took it to get inspected and emission tested and everything was good except the ball joints. They'll be happy to do them for around $500, but I can get the parts for $90. I have a 20 ton press and ball joints are nothing new to me, but the 4X4 is. So what do I need to do to get to the ball joints? The front axle is (I believe) a corporate 10 bolt, at least there's 10 bolts on the cover. Thanks for your help. |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Houston, Pennsylvania
Posts: 231
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Re: Ball Joints on 4X4 - how involved?
I did this some years ago, not too tough, hardest parts were pulling the spindles and the steering arm has three tapered bushings that were tough to remove.
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'96 GMC Suburban 6.5t '99 F**d Windstar '07 SON '09 DAUGHTER XOXOXO Wife |
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#3 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 547
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Re: Ball Joints on 4X4 - how involved?
Just did this yesterday.
Getting the steering arm off was the hardest for me. Then getting the balljoints out was hard but I did that to myself. I was pushing them the wrong way. They both come out the top.
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Maj USAF 71 K5 Blazer CST 72 K20 HT383 NV4500 Mass-Flo EFI 71 K10 LWB 52 Dodge Power Wagon 67 Dodge WM300 Power Wagon 48 Dodge WDX Power Wagon My Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=239487 |
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#4 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Orem, Utah
Posts: 7,917
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Re: Ball Joints on 4X4 - how involved?
What do I need to do to pull the spindle? I imagine I have to take the hub (it's a manual locking type) and then I'll find the spindle nut. Anything special I should know about in there?
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#5 |
urban fourwheelin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1,007
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Re: Ball Joints on 4X4 - how involved?
you just need the special hub socket.
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1972 K5 Blazer with Cummins 4BT, NV4500 swap in the parts gathering stage. |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: St. Johns, Arizona
Posts: 2,660
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Re: Ball Joints on 4X4 - how involved?
Your front axle is a Dana 44.
If you have a press, there's not too much to changing the ball joints. I didn't even have to take off the steering arm on mine (the '72 'burb). The special tools are the spindle nut socket (a big sucker with four teats) and a socket to take the sleeve out where the ball joints go (a little sucker with four teats). I rented a ball-joint press to do mine, already had the spindle nut socket, and bought the sleeve socket. Get a manual, if you don't already have one. There are torque specs and procedures that you need to follow if you want it to be right. While you have it apart, make sure you grease the inside of the spindle (where the front axle shafts pass), grease the u-joint on the axle shafts (replace if needed), check the needle bearings inside the spindle (and grease them), and replace the seal inside the spindle (not just the one in the hub). It's a lot easier to do it while you have it apart already than to have to take it apart again later to fix it.
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my 2¢ - t.i.o.l.i. Bowen 1968 K20 fleet 1969 K10 swb fleet 1972 K10 Suburban 1972 C10 lwb step 1992 K1500 'burb 1995 K2500 'burb 1997 C1500 'burb 1999 K1500 2000 K1500 'burb Why do I own so many Suburbans? |
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#7 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 547
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Re: Ball Joints on 4X4 - how involved?
I don't think you have to. I did mine in conjuction with a total build of the truck so I am taking everything off. It definitely made things easier
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Maj USAF 71 K5 Blazer CST 72 K20 HT383 NV4500 Mass-Flo EFI 71 K10 LWB 52 Dodge Power Wagon 67 Dodge WM300 Power Wagon 48 Dodge WDX Power Wagon My Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=239487 |
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#8 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 547
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Re: Ball Joints on 4X4 - how involved?
That will make it easier, or if you are lucky, you can back it off with a screwdriver and a hammer, not saying that's the right way though
__________________
Maj USAF 71 K5 Blazer CST 72 K20 HT383 NV4500 Mass-Flo EFI 71 K10 LWB 52 Dodge Power Wagon 67 Dodge WM300 Power Wagon 48 Dodge WDX Power Wagon My Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=239487 |
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