Ball Joints/Bushing Replacement
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,723
Likes: 11
From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
Ball Joints/Bushing Replacement
Hey everyone. I'm going to be replacing my front ball joints and bushings, but have a few questions. I've read the Moog Ball joints are the way to go, but are a tight fit. Are the ACDELCO ones easier to install?
As far as removing the lower control arms, my FSM says I need to use a leaf spring compressor and adapters. Is there another way to do it? I've never tackled any suspension work before, but it seems fairly easy from reading the FSM. Once I'm done, do I need an alignment?
Thanks!
As far as removing the lower control arms, my FSM says I need to use a leaf spring compressor and adapters. Is there another way to do it? I've never tackled any suspension work before, but it seems fairly easy from reading the FSM. Once I'm done, do I need an alignment?
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
You don't need compressor to take it apart. You will need a tool to separate ball joint from knuckle. Jack stands and a floor jack will do to take it apart. Lower ball joint is pressed into lower control arm so it has to be very tight fit or it can can out while driving. That would be a bad day. I doubt there is much difference from brand to brand. If you take front spring loose from cross member you may need spring compressor to re-install spring. The full weight of car will need to be on front end before attempting to tighten spring retaining brackets to cross member. Spring compressor is designed to take arch out of center of spring. You will want to at least have alignment checked. Because of wear in old parts and manufacturer's tolerances of new parts alignment could change a little.
Last edited by Kevova; Apr 29, 2016 at 09:12 AM.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,723
Likes: 11
From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
If you take front spring loose from cross member you may need spring compressor to re-install spring. The full weight of car will need to be on front end before attempting to tighten spring retaining brackets to cross member. Spring compressor is designed to take arch out of center of spring.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
With car on jack stands and a floor jack under lower ball joint since you're replacing it. With weight on jack separate ball joint from knuckle then lower jack control arm. Spring pressure will release from control arm as it is lowered. I would leave grease fitting off balljoint until after it is re-attached to knuckle during re-assembly.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,723
Likes: 11
From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
With car on jack stands and a floor jack under lower ball joint since you're replacing it. With weight on jack separate ball joint from knuckle then lower jack control arm. Spring pressure will release from control arm as it is lowered. I would leave grease fitting off balljoint until after it is re-attached to knuckle during re-assembly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
Once spring pressure is off control arm, bolts can be removed. At this moment my vette is sitting with control arms loosely installed to be completed tomorrow. I however did cheat a little, the rear control arm bolts requires motor mount brackets to be removed to get bolts out. I chose to cut bolts instead and installed new oem bolts facing opposite direction. When re-installing arm sliding rear bushing in to frame first install something to hold it then slide front in place. I'm sure there is a U tube video out there.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 781
Likes: 184
From: Myrtle Beach South Carolina
Originally Posted by Kevova
Once spring pressure is off control arm, bolts can be removed. At this moment my vette is sitting with control arms loosely installed to be completed tomorrow. I however did cheat a little, the rear control arm bolts requires motor mount brackets to be removed to get bolts out. I chose to cut bolts instead and installed new oem bolts facing opposite direction. When re-installing arm sliding rear bushing in to frame first install something to hold it then slide front in place. I'm sure there is a U tube video out there.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,723
Likes: 11
From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
Once spring pressure is off control arm, bolts can be removed. At this moment my vette is sitting with control arms loosely installed to be completed tomorrow. I however did cheat a little, the rear control arm bolts requires motor mount brackets to be removed to get bolts out. I chose to cut bolts instead and installed new oem bolts facing opposite direction. When re-installing arm sliding rear bushing in to frame first install something to hold it then slide front in place. I'm sure there is a U tube video out there.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,723
Likes: 11
From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
I agree with Kevova, I ended up cutting and replacing the rear lower control arm bolts. One thing I did do when reinstalling the lower arms was to take a pry bar and , from left to right, pry the opening for the bolt/pivot housing ( both front and back )open a little. The poly bushings are a little thicker than stock and wouldn't go in for me otherwise. As long as the car is up high enough, when the tension comes off of the lower c/a , the c/a will drop down below the lowest point of the spring, then you can unbolt and take the control arms out. Good luck! It sure is a fun job.