I knew better.
94 lower ball joint replacement
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington NC
94 lower ball joint replacement
Hello all,
I'm getting ready to replace the lower ball joints, at 215K they are really worn out.
How bad a job is this? I have the tools and the shop manuals. Is it better to buy a tie rod end with the ball joint already installed? Or would y'all recommend this job going to the shop?
Thanks for your help!!
I'm getting ready to replace the lower ball joints, at 215K they are really worn out.
How bad a job is this? I have the tools and the shop manuals. Is it better to buy a tie rod end with the ball joint already installed? Or would y'all recommend this job going to the shop?
Thanks for your help!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,285
Likes: 52
From: Jacksonville, FL
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '26
maybe you're meaning to buy the complete A-arm as an assembly? That comes with the B-joint & cross shaft w/new bushings....that's a plug & play. Just remember to put the shims back the way they came out, then you just need to get an alignment done after doing the r&r.
Tom
Tom
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington NC
maybe you're meaning to buy the complete A-arm as an assembly? That comes with the B-joint & cross shaft w/new bushings....that's a plug & play. Just remember to put the shims back the way they came out, then you just need to get an alignment done after doing the r&r.
Tom
Tom
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,564
Likes: 6
From: Woodstock Georgia
Ok, then. I did mine and the only problem is the rear bolt on the lower A arm. The way it is put in from the factory you have to either pull the bolt out as far as you can and then cut it off (siz wheel) being very carefull not to cut the brake line (my choice). Or, remove the motor mount brace. Going back together put the bolt in from the front and no problems. Once I had it off a local shop pressed out the old ball joint and pressed the new one in for $20. Everything else you need to know is in the manuals.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,285
Likes: 52
From: Jacksonville, FL
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '26
I'm buying those for my Z so I can just swap out the arms & do an alignment....no going back & forth to the machine shop. I'll save the OE's and rebuild them at my leisure & throw'em in the spare parts bin.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 506
Likes: 12
From: Savannah GA
Just a few questions.....
You sure those lower ball joints are shot? If they have good boots and have had grease they might not be bad. Most GM lower ball joints have a wear indicator on the zerk. If it's not receeded it isn't bad.
If you have play/slack in your steering you have tie rod issues. A lot of inner tie rods in the rack are worn and the best way to proceede is replace the rack.
Wheel bearings are another item to look at when inspecting front end problems.
JS
You sure those lower ball joints are shot? If they have good boots and have had grease they might not be bad. Most GM lower ball joints have a wear indicator on the zerk. If it's not receeded it isn't bad.
If you have play/slack in your steering you have tie rod issues. A lot of inner tie rods in the rack are worn and the best way to proceede is replace the rack.
Wheel bearings are another item to look at when inspecting front end problems.
JS
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Wilmington NC
Just a few questions.....
You sure those lower ball joints are shot? If they have good boots and have had grease they might not be bad. Most GM lower ball joints have a wear indicator on the zerk. If it's not receeded it isn't bad.
If you have play/slack in your steering you have tie rod issues. A lot of inner tie rods in the rack are worn and the best way to proceede is replace the rack.
Wheel bearings are another item to look at when inspecting front end problems.
JS
You sure those lower ball joints are shot? If they have good boots and have had grease they might not be bad. Most GM lower ball joints have a wear indicator on the zerk. If it's not receeded it isn't bad.
If you have play/slack in your steering you have tie rod issues. A lot of inner tie rods in the rack are worn and the best way to proceede is replace the rack.
Wheel bearings are another item to look at when inspecting front end problems.
JS
Why would it easier to replace the entire steering rack rather than just the tie rod ends? Seems like a lot more work and $$$ to replace the entire rack rather than just the TR ends.
I replaced the front wheel bearings about 5 months ago so I'm sure that they are ok.
