Lower Ball Joints and basic tools
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 385
Likes: 1
From: Olalla Wa
Lower Ball Joints and basic tools
Is this something someone(me) could do with a Helm's in hand,and a fairly good set of tools? Not a pro mechanic by any means,but have R&R the intake manifold,waterpump,brakes and hoses as part of my resume.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 325
From: San Antonio Tx
I haven't done mine yet but they look like standard GM design except for the aluminum. Shouldn't be very hard to do. I believe the lower are pressed in and the top ones riveted. Autozone has a loaner ball joint press.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by RWDsmoke
I haven't done mine yet but they look like standard GM design except for the aluminum. Shouldn't be very hard to do. I believe the lower are pressed in and the top ones riveted. Autozone has a loaner ball joint press.
Is this like the thing that Autozone loans to do the ball joints?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38335
I have one of these... just wanted to know if it was the right thing...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 9
From: '88 TPI L98/HotCam Powell, Ohio
I just replaced mine. I used the 3 in 1 tool that is in the picture.(harbor freight tools $24.99) It worked fine to remove the lower ball joint but I ended up going to "ma and pa auto shop" to install the new ones. You need a basic press which they let me use and it was no big deal.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 9
From: VA
Originally Posted by eschoendorff
Is this like the thing that Autozone loans to do the ball joints?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38335
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38335
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 243
From: Northern VA
I think you need a pretty serious arbor press or the like to put them back on. It's just as easy to take it down to midas or a place like that with a press and give them a few bucks. That's what I did! 
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Fl
I just replaced my lower balljoints with the tool shown. It took about 1 1/2 hour per side. Pretty easy and straight forward job. You have to get the car pretty high up to use the tool with the a arm still on the car.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
I dunno how hard it is to remove the balljoints, but you'll probably need one of these to seperate it from the knuckle..
If you go to autozone, ask for the "pitman arm puller". It's the largest of the puller tools. Do not use a pickle fork.
If you go to autozone, ask for the "pitman arm puller". It's the largest of the puller tools. Do not use a pickle fork.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,270
Likes: 118
From: N. Babylon NY
I did mine not to long ago (do a search and it will come up).
I used that tool to remove and install(lower balljoint)-not to bad of a job.
To remove (the arms) from the knuckle I tapped it out (with a nut on the threads)-it came right out with no damage at all. Please no one tell me its alum. and it will bend or break.
After completed I checked my alignment and it was the same as before I started (I do my own alignments). Then tracked the car at Pocono.
Steven
I used that tool to remove and install(lower balljoint)-not to bad of a job.
To remove (the arms) from the knuckle I tapped it out (with a nut on the threads)-it came right out with no damage at all. Please no one tell me its alum. and it will bend or break.
After completed I checked my alignment and it was the same as before I started (I do my own alignments). Then tracked the car at Pocono.
Steven