Caprice Ball Joint Bladder

[raychevy]

Hi All. My 92 caprice has a ruptured grease bladder on the main ball joint. OUCH. Anyways, the cars suspension is like new otherwise. How long does it take to replace that rubber piece, and is it a big job ? Thanks

[VTKidder]

From what I've ever done on ball joint work, you're hosed and need to get a new joint. If the grease bladder broke, then you have to change the entire joint as the bladder is fixed on one end by the tapered part of the ball joint down where the nut is, and the other end is squished between the A-arm and a piece of metal that the 4 new screws that bolt the joint to the A-arm; they go through the A-arm, and bolt to a flange of sorts to keep things together. Unless the joints have been replaced before, you'll need a grinder or cutoff wheel to cut the heads off the original rivets, punch the rivets out when you get the heads cut off, then simply bolt your new joint in. I've never seen a replacement rubber for ball joints. Like my daily driver? Hideous, ain't it? '92 Wagon; 305.