Started lowering my 92 tonight!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 616
Likes: 1
From: Cocoa Beach FL
Started lowering my 92 tonight!
What a PITA!! I decided about 8pm that I was going to go ahead and lower my 92. I got it up in the air, the sway bar disconnected and steering ball joints, started to get the lower ball joints off and SMASHED my thumb with a brass hammer...I CANT GET THEM OFF! I'll start again in the morning Anyone have any suggestions ?
Pro
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 552
Likes: 1
From: Sacramento Tennessee
You could use one of these
3/4" Forged Ball Point Joint Separator
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=99849
3/4" Forged Ball Point Joint Separator
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=99849
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 616
Likes: 1
From: Cocoa Beach FL
I have 2 ball joint pullers/seperators and both of them are too damn small. I'll have to go find one in the mornin. I just replaced the ball joints on my truck last week so I might as well replace these while I've got it apart.
Last edited by tim32920; May 22, 2009 at 11:09 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,022
Likes: 3
From: Chandler Arizona
I like to use a "pickle fork" and hammer to get ball joints apart. Since you're replacing them, I would say use this alternative first.
I've never used those ball joint seperator tools... but they look nice.
I am also replacing ball joints currently (Bill at ZFdoc.com is doing the work- plus lowering, poly bushing front, poly steering rack bushings etc).
I've never used those ball joint seperator tools... but they look nice.
I am also replacing ball joints currently (Bill at ZFdoc.com is doing the work- plus lowering, poly bushing front, poly steering rack bushings etc).
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
Be forewarned that you'll most like destroy the dust covers on the ball joints using the fork unless they've been replaced recently. Then you'll have to take it and have a new one installed. The good joints are 100.00 a piece. Most of the parts stores rent the separator. Good luck
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 1
From: My Give A Dams Busted The Bend Me Over State N.J
I had the same issue . I jacked the control arm back up. Then took my bracket from something I took off the car. lol ac i think. I placed it in the ball joint some how that when i lowered that jack it kept the ball joint straight and popped it out.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
I used a pickle fork and my ball joints came out pretty easily. As for the rest of the lowering process i agree it was a complete PITA.
I'm still not done as i've got something lose or broken casing my front passenger wheel to wobble slightly on occasion.
I couldn't even get my spring out. Had to cut the rubber shims in place and that was a hassle.
Why couldn't it have been like the rear with just a simple bolt?
Although it does look good when done. even if it doesn't work quite right.
I'm still not done as i've got something lose or broken casing my front passenger wheel to wobble slightly on occasion.
I couldn't even get my spring out. Had to cut the rubber shims in place and that was a hassle.
Why couldn't it have been like the rear with just a simple bolt?
Although it does look good when done.
even if it doesn't work quite right.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 616
Likes: 1
From: Cocoa Beach FL
Got the ball joints out in like 5 mins lol maybe I just needed to walk away for a few...almost got it all finished I had a function to do today so I didn't get to spend too much time on it, but i think i'll have it finished tommorrow and I'll post some pics.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
good for you, remember once all is done, YOU HAVE to do at least a front alignment. Lowering the Vette changes it's geometry/angle
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 616
Likes: 1
From: Cocoa Beach FL
I finished it,I will post pics later it is raining here now. I couldnt get the spring out and had to cut the shims in place as well. It dropped the front like almost 2 inches it looks good and i dunno bout lowering the rear i ike the way the stance is now, it looks more aggresive lol and it doesnt look like a volkswagon. One thing I will say about lowering a C4 is "I WILL NEVER DO IT AGAIN, WHAT A PITA!"
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 616
Likes: 1
From: Cocoa Beach FL
Yes I've had hangovers and as a mater of fact I had one this morning when I was doing this ! I have no idea why it wouldnt come out it just wouldnt and if I could get all of the old shim out without taking the spring out and wrestling it back in and still accomplish the same objective why does it matter?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 826
Likes: 22
From: Chicago Area
Man I want to lower my 95 but every thread I read on this ends in the same result. PITA...
It looks like it's not a job I want to tackle. I keep putting it off. I think I might hit up my buddy at the Vette shop for this one...
It looks like it's not a job I want to tackle. I keep putting it off. I think I might hit up my buddy at the Vette shop for this one...
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
If not then just do it yourself. The job itself isn't that hard, it's the minor complications that each car and person has that are throw at us.
If you REALLY take your time, and make sure you do it right you won't be disseminated. I had to get mine done in a weekend and i felt very rushed, ended up running into some problems making it much worse time wise....