3/4 ton ball joint replacement

[jimmmie '79 Cheyenne]

Put on some new wheels and tires and the shop said my lower ball joints need replacement. I have estimates from $270 - $390 incl alignment OUCH... On the 3/4 ton they are pressed on - has anyone replaced these and what kind of a press whould you need. I can get the ball joints for about $120 and then it would be another $50 for the alignment. Don't know it it would be worth all the $U&^##@ to do it myself to save $100...

[boxrodz]

When I went into the alignment shop, they wanted over a G to replace my lower ball joint. I decided to do it myself and take the 'opportunity' to replace all the moving parts on the front suspension. Over the span of a few days and 'bout $200 in parts, I had the front end completed rebuilt. Your estimates of $270 - $390 sound reasonable.

If you decide to do it yourself, Auto Part Chains like Autozone loan out the ball joint press for a minimum returnable deposit. I've attached a pdf to give you an idea of replacing the ball joint on the LCA. It's fairly straightforward.

[jimmmie '79 Cheyenne]

Thanks...looks like something I may go ahead and do - wish I knew they were bad when I did the brakes and wheel bearings last month, oh well - another day in the garage.

[Bender]

I did the upper and lowers on my truck and it wasn’t too bad. I just did it in a regular H frame hydraulic press.

The universals on the axles however were a real PITA.

[mitch1965]

I replaced the upper and lower ball joints on my '85 K20, using the loaner press from Advance Auto Parts. Yea, the job was a pita, but it was pretty strait forward. Took about 2 hours per side. The axle shaft slides out of each side without any clips inside the pumpkin. Then a good alignment was needed. Drives great now.