Touch of advice first time ball joint replacement - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

beerbeer95648 · 07-17-2015, 06:55 PM

Finally got around to replacing some warn front end components. Replaced tie rod, ball joints, and hydraulic assist arm. Had to do a funny procedure for getting the specs right on the ball joints, essentially followed the procedures here. Had the same problems he did.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=430367&page=6

Once I was done the passenger side yolk was right at 23-25 pounds of force needed to move. But the driver side was only 13-15 pounds. Put everything together and took it to get aligned. The front and is nice and tight now but when I drive down the road and go to make a right-hand turn it dips to the right easier than it does if I turn left. Feels a touch squirrley. Is this because of the new hydraulic assist? Or is it an issue having the driver side yolk and passenger-side yolk set up with different resistance? Any help is appreciated.

y5mgisi · 07-18-2015, 04:45 PM

I would venture to bet its the assist. Wit the tie rod connecting the two knuckles it should equalize the resistance.

swissarmychainsaw · 07-21-2015, 01:02 PM

Are you referring to this when you say hydraulic assist?

If so, I simply removed mine (as a test) and drove it. For me it made no difference.

Edit: Actually the one pictured is different than my '73, as it connects to the tie rod (?).

beerbeer95648 · 07-22-2015, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swissarmychainsaw

Are you referring to this when you say hydraulic assist?

If so, I simply removed mine (as a test) and drove it. For me it made no difference.

Edit: Actually the one pictured is different than my '73, as it connects to the tie rod (?).

Thats the one. Guess its more of a stabilizer? I had a feeling it was that too. Anything I can do about it?

y5mgisi · 07-22-2015, 12:29 PM

Do as suggested above and remove it amd take it for a trip around the block and see how it does as a test.

swissarmychainsaw · 07-22-2015, 01:52 PM

Agreed. That is your "steering stabilizer" and it servers to dampen (just like a shock) the side to side motion of your steering.

You should be able to remove it and essentially 'feel no difference'.
I took mine off for a test and left it off. I suppose I should put it back on.

beerbeer95648 · 07-22-2015, 02:31 PM

OK. I will pull it off and see if the sensation I feel changes. If that sensation is better I guess it means just replacing that stabilizer. Will have to wait about a week though, have the drum brakes all pulled apart waiting for replacement parts in the mail. Noticed a nice thick gooey coating of gear oil all over my rear passenger brake components. One thing after another.....

07-17-2015, 06:55 PM	#1
beerbeer95648 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: placerville Posts: 72	Touch of advice first time ball joint replacement Finally got around to replacing some warn front end components. Replaced tie rod, ball joints, and hydraulic assist arm. Had to do a funny procedure for getting the specs right on the ball joints, essentially followed the procedures here. Had the same problems he did. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=430367&page=6 Once I was done the passenger side yolk was right at 23-25 pounds of force needed to move. But the driver side was only 13-15 pounds. Put everything together and took it to get aligned. The front and is nice and tight now but when I drive down the road and go to make a right-hand turn it dips to the right easier than it does if I turn left. Feels a touch squirrley. Is this because of the new hydraulic assist? Or is it an issue having the driver side yolk and passenger-side yolk set up with different resistance? Any help is appreciated.

07-18-2015, 04:45 PM	#2
y5mgisi Second Chance Program Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,642	Re: Touch of advice first time ball joint replacement I would venture to bet its the assist. Wit the tie rod connecting the two knuckles it should equalize the resistance. __________________ 90 Chevy Suburban 2500 5.3 swap/th400/np241/14bltSF/10blt. 77 C20 crew cab Silverado. 396/th400. In work.

07-21-2015, 01:02 PM	#3
swissarmychainsaw Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: san francisco, ca (east bay) Posts: 674	Re: Touch of advice first time ball joint replacement Are you referring to this when you say hydraulic assist? If so, I simply removed mine (as a test) and drove it. For me it made no difference. Edit: Actually the one pictured is different than my '73, as it connects to the tie rod (?). Last edited by swissarmychainsaw; 07-21-2015 at 01:13 PM.

07-22-2015, 12:29 PM	#5
y5mgisi Second Chance Program Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,642	Re: Touch of advice first time ball joint replacement Do as suggested above and remove it amd take it for a trip around the block and see how it does as a test. __________________ 90 Chevy Suburban 2500 5.3 swap/th400/np241/14bltSF/10blt. 77 C20 crew cab Silverado. 396/th400. In work.

07-22-2015, 01:52 PM	#6
swissarmychainsaw Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: san francisco, ca (east bay) Posts: 674	Re: Touch of advice first time ball joint replacement Agreed. That is your "steering stabilizer" and it servers to dampen (just like a shock) the side to side motion of your steering. You should be able to remove it and essentially 'feel no difference'. I took mine off for a test and left it off. I suppose I should put it back on.

07-22-2015, 02:31 PM	#7
beerbeer95648 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: placerville Posts: 72	Re: Touch of advice first time ball joint replacement OK. I will pull it off and see if the sensation I feel changes. If that sensation is better I guess it means just replacing that stabilizer. Will have to wait about a week though, have the drum brakes all pulled apart waiting for replacement parts in the mail. Noticed a nice thick gooey coating of gear oil all over my rear passenger brake components. One thing after another.....



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