Anyone ever do Ball Joints?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
From: Queens NY
Anyone ever do Ball Joints?
It looks like i'll be needing lower ball joints. All the shops near me are on the expensive side, so me and a few friends are going to tackle it. Are they any tougher on a vette than on a normal car?
Should we expect any surprises?
Should we expect any surprises?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,581
Likes: 1
From: Springfield VA
Re: Anyone ever do Ball Joints? (CarAteMyMoney)
I did the upper and lower on my 86. The uppers are a cake walk. The lowers were a pain in the butt because I tried to press them in with a hand press in my garage. Ended up taking them into a shop and they were done in a flash.
I did the rack & pinion, power steering pump and the outer tie rods all at the same time. The entire process was easier than doing it on my 90 Camaro.
I did the rack & pinion, power steering pump and the outer tie rods all at the same time. The entire process was easier than doing it on my 90 Camaro.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
From: Saginaw TX
Re: Anyone ever do Ball Joints? (CarAteMyMoney)
I have an 86 and did the lowers in my garage in less than an hour with a hand press. Guess everything fell into place for me. I'll be doing the uppers and bushings later. Don't see a problem with anything but the inner bushings on the upper arm...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
Re: Anyone ever do Ball Joints? (CarAteMyMoney)
I did all 4 yesterday. Drilling the rivets out of the uppers is a PITA!!!! It is labor intensive and tedious. Consider having a shop drill them out for you. Don't let them counter-sink the holes tho. Lowers were cake. (I have a hydraulic press) the lowers go in and out with a bang.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 42,935
Likes: 20
From: Sydney, Australia
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-‘17, '22
Re: Anyone ever do Ball Joints? (89 Paul in Cal)
Lowers were cake. (I have a hydraulic press) the lowers go in and out with a bang.
[Modified by Red 90 L98 Coupe, 11:35 AM 1/16/2003]
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
From: Queens NY
Re: Anyone ever do Ball Joints? (Red 90 L98 Coupe)
WOW Never heard that before. I went to two or three shops and they all said that the book calls for 1 1/4 hours of labor which comes to about $95 per side before tax which seemed kinda high. How much should the parts cost, anyway?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
From: Queens NY
Re: Anyone ever do Ball Joints? (CarAteMyMoney)
Well I just picked up the ball joings, Moogs for $66 a piece.. not awful I guess
I was told I can sit a jack under the new ball joint and hit the top of the control arm and it'll go into place... does that work? Sounds like it might as long as I don't miss and smash the ball joints :cheers:
I was told I can sit a jack under the new ball joint and hit the top of the control arm and it'll go into place... does that work? Sounds like it might as long as I don't miss and smash the ball joints :cheers:
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 927
Likes: 0
From: Saginaw TX
Re: Anyone ever do Ball Joints? (CarAteMyMoney)
I don't think I would try that...large possibility of twisting the A arm or worse breaking. The arm is very easy to remove. Definitely use a press either the C-clamp type or hydraulic or take it to the shop, should be real cheap for them if they just do the pressing.