THE BALL JOINT ANSWER
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: RVC NY
THE BALL JOINT ANSWER
Thanks to many of you posting a reply to the ball joint problem and with some research of my own, I have decided for all the work and for the little cost it will be dollar wise, I am re-doing the front suspension with a complete rebuild kit. 4 *****, sway bushings, tie rods as well as a new leaf spring and new shocks. It will only cost about $500 or so. I asked a mechanic where I get gas what it would cost for 4 ball joints and he said $650 for all 4. I said "Go F*** yourself" (not to his face) Great call on PST.com, good stuff there. Does anyone else know of good Vette suppliers that I could look into as well besides PST for a second opinion. Aside from what I mentioned regarding replaciing, is there anything else I should be looking into? Such as Rack? Are the Wheel hubs necessary? Let me know. Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Re: THE BALL JOINT ANSWER (The89Corvette)
Upper ball joints are a piece of cake. Just drill out the stock rivets and use the bolts/nuts that come with the new joints.
Lowers are more difficult, but do-able at home in the garage. I changed mine last year. Rented the tool from AutoZone for free. Took about half a day since pressing the new ones back in is the hardest part.
You have to make sure that the ball joint is perfectly straight for them to go in easily.
An alignment is necessary afterwards.
I didn't have to pull either "A" arm to change them either.
Hope this helps.
Jake
[Modified by JAKE, 5:51 AM 4/10/2002]
Lowers are more difficult, but do-able at home in the garage. I changed mine last year. Rented the tool from AutoZone for free. Took about half a day since pressing the new ones back in is the hardest part.
You have to make sure that the ball joint is perfectly straight for them to go in easily.
An alignment is necessary afterwards.
I didn't have to pull either "A" arm to change them either.
Hope this helps.
Jake
[Modified by JAKE, 5:51 AM 4/10/2002]
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Princeton Texas
Re: THE BALL JOINT ANSWER (The89Corvette)
It is alot easier with the a-arms off the car, since you are putting in new bushings, you'll have them out anyway. I bought the ball joint removal/insertion tool from harbor freight for 29.95. It worked well. I just completed this on my 86, so If you have any questions, don't hesitate to email, Or you could drive to Texas and I'll help.
