Ball Joints check-out
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 306
Likes: 1
From: N. Charleston SC
Ball Joints check-out
I have my front end up on stands doing the brakes - so the calipers, rotors, dust shields and mounting brackets are off. So, the spindle is all that’s left... How do I check the lower and upper ball joints?
Thanks
[Modified by Red69, 11:08 PM 5/12/2003]
Thanks
[Modified by Red69, 11:08 PM 5/12/2003]
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,865
From: Palm Springs, CA.
Re: Ball Joints check-out (Red69)
Hey John,
The easiest way to check ball joints is with the tire bolted on, two people, jack ON LOWER CONTROL ARM, lift the tire off the groung about two inches so you keep the suspension loaded, get a long prybar and slightly lift the tire up and down. Put your hand right on the bj and feel for movement, if it moves replace it. If you can SEE it move it's shot.
But seeing as yours is already apart look at the bj and see if it is held in with large rivets. If it is, it's the original-replace it. If it's held in place with bolts, it's been replaced at some time but check it anyway. Corvettes seem to be a little harder on front end parts than other cars.
The easiest way to check ball joints is with the tire bolted on, two people, jack ON LOWER CONTROL ARM, lift the tire off the groung about two inches so you keep the suspension loaded, get a long prybar and slightly lift the tire up and down. Put your hand right on the bj and feel for movement, if it moves replace it. If you can SEE it move it's shot.
But seeing as yours is already apart look at the bj and see if it is held in with large rivets. If it is, it's the original-replace it. If it's held in place with bolts, it's been replaced at some time but check it anyway. Corvettes seem to be a little harder on front end parts than other cars.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Re: Ball Joints check-out (Red69)
Since you have so much apart you can just put your hand on the ball joint and move it around and feel for play. It should be tight all around. Don't forget to lift up on it and see if it moves, that is how mine are worn. A good indication is if your wheels are like this / \ on the front. That is how mine were.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 306
Likes: 1
From: N. Charleston SC
Re: Ball Joints check-out (Schmucker)
If they are shot, I should probally drop the whole arm and do the bushings as well. From what I've been reading in the posts this seems fairly straight forward... Undo the upper ball joint nut, lower the arm (carfully) remove the spring, unbolt the lower arm...
Humor me here.... is it really that easy?
What about the top arm... I'll probally have to pull the radiator.... can the uppers be pulled out with out removing the radiator (427) ?
Thanks :confused:
Humor me here.... is it really that easy?
What about the top arm... I'll probally have to pull the radiator.... can the uppers be pulled out with out removing the radiator (427) ?
Thanks :confused:
