Tie rod ball joint question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 182
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From: Taylor Mich
Tie rod ball joint question
Hi guys, this would be for a 95 lt1. I read on the forum not to use a pickle fork on the tie rod ends, what method should be used on them. Also the lower ball joint needs to be pressed in , whats involved in removing the lower a arm. Thanks in advance!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,270
Likes: 118
From: N. Babylon NY
Originally Posted by WildBill95
Hi guys, this would be for a 95 lt1. I read on the forum not to use a pickle fork on the tie rod ends, what method should be used on them. Also the lower ball joint needs to be pressed in , whats involved in removing the lower a arm. Thanks in advance!
The lower A-Arm does not have to be removed. You will need a ball-joint press tool (looks like a large c-clamp).
I never changed a tie rod (on a Vette) however, the outer tie rod must be disconected to change the ball joints. When I did mine I simply put a nut on the thread and tapped it out with a hammer. To change (tie rod) at this point is to loosen the jam nut and remove tie rod (very easy).
Steven
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 772
Likes: 6
From: Huntsville AL
To remove you need a 2 clamp puller. You clamp around the tie rod end and press it out of the a-arm attachment point. Don't recommend hammering it out as you can bend something and will definetly damage the tie rod end. The ball joint is pressed in using a special ball joint installation tool that you can borrow at Autozone, Oreilly, and Advance Auto Parts. You can buy them but not worth the cost for one time use.
How did you get the ball joint out if you don't have the tool to press it back in. Same tool is used.
How did you get the ball joint out if you don't have the tool to press it back in. Same tool is used.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,270
Likes: 118
From: N. Babylon NY
Wild Bill,
I still stand by what I said in prior post. When I did my upper and lower ball joints I did not bend or damage anything!
After completed I ran my car at Pocono (for time trial event). This is a easy job.
Steven
I still stand by what I said in prior post. When I did my upper and lower ball joints I did not bend or damage anything!
After completed I ran my car at Pocono (for time trial event). This is a easy job.
Steven
