Ball joints, hard job ?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Ball joints, hard job ?
I think I found the source of my vibration, I can see movement in the lower ball joints, probably not a good thing. I have all the tools except the puller, anyone tackled this job ?
Any comments on how to do it would be appreciated
Any comments on how to do it would be appreciated
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 215
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From: Concord Cal
Re: Ball joints, hard job ? (MotorHead)
It's not hard just dirty. Get a manual and a spreader bar follow the instructions. While you are there take a look at everything else they have a habit of wearing everything out at about the same time.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Morinville Alberta
Re: Ball joints, hard job ? (MotorHead)
Its not that bad
you need a pickel fork (for baljoints not tierods) if you have a compressor and an air hammer buy the attachment kit for this (not much $) it will save you from swinning a sledge so close to the paint.
place a floor jack on the lower control arm so when it lets go not all the stress is taken by the shock.
then grind off the rivets that hold the origional ball joint on (the new ones should come with new bolts.
Now put the new one in crank it up with the floor jack and connect every thing.
The hardest part is getting the ball joint to seperate form the lower control arm.
I hope this helps.
PS you might want to disconnect the sway bar as well.
you need a pickel fork (for baljoints not tierods) if you have a compressor and an air hammer buy the attachment kit for this (not much $) it will save you from swinning a sledge so close to the paint.
place a floor jack on the lower control arm so when it lets go not all the stress is taken by the shock.
then grind off the rivets that hold the origional ball joint on (the new ones should come with new bolts.
Now put the new one in crank it up with the floor jack and connect every thing.
The hardest part is getting the ball joint to seperate form the lower control arm.
I hope this helps.
PS you might want to disconnect the sway bar as well.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,679
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From: Charles Town WV
Re: Ball joints, hard job ? (Aaron76)
To add to the above, you can get a ball joint remover/installer that looks like a big C-clamp with cups to hold the ball joint when it's being pressed. Well worth buying.
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Ball joints, hard job ? (MotorHead)
If you did your springs you can do your ball joints. I had my CA out when I did mine so it was easier. I don't think you'd want to remove the CA just to replace the lower ball joint.
I used a pickle fork attachment for an air gun to separate the BJ from the knuckle. I then had to beat the BJ with a BFH to remove it from the CA. Put the nut back on the BJ stem before you start beating it. I seemed like the BJ was welded to the CA! :eek:
I used a pickle fork attachment for an air gun to separate the BJ from the knuckle. I then had to beat the BJ with a BFH to remove it from the CA. Put the nut back on the BJ stem before you start beating it. I seemed like the BJ was welded to the CA! :eek:
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Re: Ball joints, hard job ? (1970 Stingray)
Thanks for the help.
I think I'm going to take it all apart, upper and lower control arms etc.( replace the bushings in the upper, lower is already done ) and sandblast and paint everything, that's what I got the compressor for I guess :D
I think I'm going to take it all apart, upper and lower control arms etc.( replace the bushings in the upper, lower is already done ) and sandblast and paint everything, that's what I got the compressor for I guess :D
