How hard is it to replace upper ball joints?
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 506
Likes: 12
From: Savannah GA
I would get a second opinion. You can replace the seals on those ball joints. I have an 87 with over 215K miles with the orginal upper ball joints and they are far from worn out. The lower ball joints are what carry the load on these cars and mine were not gone when I replaced them at about 190k miles.
Upper ball joints you drill out the rivets and replace them with bolts.
Lower ball joints press in with a tool you can barrow from AutoZone for nothing.
If you need the upper ball joints the lower ones are just as bad if not worse. In that case replace all of them.
Look at your wheel bearings, Why did they have their grimey hands on your vette in the first place?
JS
Upper ball joints you drill out the rivets and replace them with bolts.
Lower ball joints press in with a tool you can barrow from AutoZone for nothing.
If you need the upper ball joints the lower ones are just as bad if not worse. In that case replace all of them.
Look at your wheel bearings, Why did they have their grimey hands on your vette in the first place?
JS
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
If you do end up replacing the ball joints yourself, I would suggest you have a reputable shop drill out the old rivets for you. It's easy to come off center on the other side if your are not careful as they are at a slight angle.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,867
Likes: 3
From: Pasadena Maryland
Just don't drill all the way through, drill off the head and drive out with a drift punch. Or you can drill through with a drill bit smaller than the hole and then come back with a larger bit and take off just the head of the rivet.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Florida
An even better option in my opinion is to go to Corvette Central and buy brand new upper a arms that have factory riveted ball joints, seals, and original new bushings.
Pull the whole arm off and swap it out.
Cost is ~$100 a side...nearly the same as new ball joints installed into your original arms with old bushings.
That is what I did...
Good Luck!
Pull the whole arm off and swap it out.
Cost is ~$100 a side...nearly the same as new ball joints installed into your original arms with old bushings.
That is what I did...
Good Luck!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by No Go
An even better option in my opinion is to go to Corvette Central and buy brand new upper a arms that have factory riveted ball joints, seals, and original new bushings.
RACE ON!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Florida
Another 
for ya Cease Fire...
I just know from past experience that bolted on ball joints can loosen, arms can be damaged from install, and if the joints are worn...more than likely so are the rubber bushings that they pivot on.
This way everything is fresh and eliminates the guess work as we aren't all master mechanics like we would think we are....
for ya Cease Fire...I just know from past experience that bolted on ball joints can loosen, arms can be damaged from install, and if the joints are worn...more than likely so are the rubber bushings that they pivot on.
This way everything is fresh and eliminates the guess work as we aren't all master mechanics like we would think we are....
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by No Go
An even better option in my opinion is to go to Corvette Central and buy brand new upper a arms that have factory riveted ball joints, seals, and original new bushings.
Pull the whole arm off and swap it out.
Cost is ~$100 a side...nearly the same as new ball joints installed into your original arms with old bushings.
That is what I did...
Good Luck!
Pull the whole arm off and swap it out.
Cost is ~$100 a side...nearly the same as new ball joints installed into your original arms with old bushings.
That is what I did...
Good Luck!
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Florida
aboatguy: Actually I did as well...went with Del a Lum bushings, but figured new arms all together is a good thing as well as minimal down time.
Besides the arms are works of art...should be hanging on the wall in the garage.
Besides the arms are works of art...should be hanging on the wall in the garage.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by No Go
aboatguy: Actually I did as well...went with Del a Lum bushings, but figured new arms all together is a good thing as well as minimal down time.
Besides the arms are works of art...should be hanging on the wall in the garage.
Besides the arms are works of art...should be hanging on the wall in the garage.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 7,625
Likes: 4
From: Director of Bands
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by No Go
An even better option in my opinion is to go to Corvette Central and buy brand new upper a arms that have factory riveted ball joints, seals, and original new bushings.
Pull the whole arm off and swap it out.
Cost is ~$100 a side...nearly the same as new ball joints installed into your original arms with old bushings.
That is what I did...
Good Luck!
Pull the whole arm off and swap it out.
Cost is ~$100 a side...nearly the same as new ball joints installed into your original arms with old bushings.
That is what I did...
Good Luck!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
From: Rumford Rhode Island
Originally Posted by jsinga
Why did they have their grimey hands on your vette in the first place?
JS
JS
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Originally Posted by CP5150
Haha! I have a Wynn's warranty that expires 12/27/05 so I am getting some covered repairs done. After this it's all me from now on. Wynn's denied the claim on the upper ball joints, saying the boots were the problem...so I should just replace the boots eh?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 6
From: Tampa Florida
The good deal new OEM arms were only for the top as far as I know.
The lower ball joint in is a simply press out and in operation so pretty easy to not mess up. New poly bushings aren't that expensive either...the Global West Del A Lum bushings ran me ~$320 for both arms/both sides...very nice pieces though.
The lower ball joint in is a simply press out and in operation so pretty easy to not mess up. New poly bushings aren't that expensive either...the Global West Del A Lum bushings ran me ~$320 for both arms/both sides...very nice pieces though.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
Originally Posted by No Go
The good deal new OEM arms were only for the top as far as I know.
The lower ball joint in is a simply press out and in operation so pretty easy to not mess up. New poly bushings aren't that expensive either...the Global West Del A Lum bushings ran me ~$320 for both arms/both sides...very nice pieces though.
The lower ball joint in is a simply press out and in operation so pretty easy to not mess up. New poly bushings aren't that expensive either...the Global West Del A Lum bushings ran me ~$320 for both arms/both sides...very nice pieces though.
Upper:
Lower
