Lower Ball Joint Installation Help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
From: Troy Illinois
Lower Ball Joint Installation Help
I need some help installing lower ball joints on my 1985. I am replacing all my bushings. I have finished the rear bushing installation and all went well. I am now working on the front suspension and thought it was a good time to replace the lower ball joints. After removing the lower A arm I attempted to press the ball joint out and the ball section was pressed out of the joint leaving the socket in the A arm. I was using instructions provided in an Corvette Enthusiast where they showed the press ram pressing down on the bolt while supporting the A arm with a receiver large enough to accomidate the ball joint. My question is did I do something wrong? Why didn't the whole ball joint come out? Also how do I get the remainder of the ball joint out of the A arm? I am using a 12 Ton Press. Any help will be appreciated. I also have a ball joint installation tool but am not sure exactly how to use it. Any help will be appreciated. I just ordered two Spicer lower ball joints to install and they should be delivered in a couple of days so I will continue to take the front suspension apart and install what I can untill I can figure out how to remove and install the ball joints.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,867
Likes: 3
From: Pasadena Maryland
When you press out the ball joints you cannot use just the stud.(You already know that now)
What you need to do is use a sleeve(Or something that looks like a socket) Steel sleeve/cylinder/piece of pipe..... that will rest on the edge of the ball joint. You also need a sleeve that will allow the other end of the ball joint to go inside of it and still support the lower control arm.
Look on line at some tool catalogs and find ball joint press tool, it looks like a big heavy duty C-Clamp. It comes with several sizes of sleeves to use with the tool. You will also need this type of sleeve if you use a floor mounted hydraulic press.
I hope this helps a little, I am not real good at explaining things without my talking pencil and being able to use my hands
What you need to do is use a sleeve(Or something that looks like a socket) Steel sleeve/cylinder/piece of pipe..... that will rest on the edge of the ball joint. You also need a sleeve that will allow the other end of the ball joint to go inside of it and still support the lower control arm.
Look on line at some tool catalogs and find ball joint press tool, it looks like a big heavy duty C-Clamp. It comes with several sizes of sleeves to use with the tool. You will also need this type of sleeve if you use a floor mounted hydraulic press.
I hope this helps a little, I am not real good at explaining things without my talking pencil and being able to use my hands
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
As stated above a socket will work well for removal. When I did mine ('84) it came apart easily enough, however putting it back together became a problem as the fit seemed too snug. I took the asembly to a machinist who had a self centering press. This assured the assembly would be precicely straight and not at an angle. Cost was $10. Remember the arm is aluminum so care must be taken. Hope this helps.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Walker LA
As stated above a socket will work well for removal. When I did mine ('84) it came apart easily enough, however putting it back together became a problem as the fit seemed too snug. I took the asembly to a machinist who had a self centering press. This assured the assembly would be precicely straight and not at an angle. Cost was $10. Remember the arm is aluminum so care must be taken. Hope this helps.
I just did my lowers and I jacked up the drivers side a-arm bad, had to get a new a-arm from mid america and it took three weeks to get it. Look for a thread from about three weeks ago i posted pic's of my screw up.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
From: Troy Illinois
Thanks for the advice. The picture in the artical I was using pressed on the stud, as you say and I know now not a good idea. I talked to the folks at a shop down the street and they said they can get the rest of the ball joint out and in stall the new ones. New ones should be here in a couple of days.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,867
Likes: 3
From: Pasadena Maryland
I was reading another thread about lower ball joints. It seems some vendors are making them oversize. Ask the shop to check them out BEFORE they try to press them in, they could damage the lower control arm. With you bringing them the parts, they will probably not want to accept responsibility?
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 252
Likes: 1
From: Troy Illinois
Thanks for all the help. I ended up taking both the lower and upper A Arms to a local shop (uppers were still attached to the knuckle), The shop took them appart and installed the new Spicer ball joints for $100. I now have everything clean and will install my new VB&P bushings and then put it all back together. I already completed the rear suspension (new bushings, u-joints and shocks).
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
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From: Riverside County Southern California
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I wish you live close by, I have a 12-ton press in my garage and I have a home made tool for lower ball joints.
I also installing all VBP bushings including the off-set set.
I also installing all VBP bushings including the off-set set.
