Anyone replace their lower ball joint?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 479
Likes: 2
From: Hollywood Maryland
Anyone replace their lower ball joint?
I'm replacing the driver's side wheel bearing/hub assembly on my '99 FRC. After removing the steering knuckle, noticed the lower ball joint's dust shield was torn/split. Can you buy a new dust shield and replace? If so what's a good source. If not, can I do the work to replace the lower ball joint assembly in my garage? What special tools will I need? Good source for the lower ball joint part? Looking for any kind of help, this is holding me up putting on new brakes and getting back on the road.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,218
Likes: 1
From: Cresskill NJ
I'm not sure about where to get a replacement boot. I had the same issue and replaced both my front lower ball joints. You can get them from Moog for about $112 each, and you need a hydraulic press to press the old ones out and the new ones in. If you check Fred Beans or something like that you will probably find it's not much more money to just buy new control arms with new ball joints, which is the only way you can get new ball joints from chevy.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 50,808
Likes: 10
From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
energy suspension makes a rubber boot that will go on top just pack it with grease. It's not like new but works. Listed as 84-96 but it works. Otherwise get a new control arm cha-ching $$$$$$$$
Last edited by John Shiels; Aug 10, 2006 at 10:26 PM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Moog makes the lower ball joint, but no one makes an upper ball joint.
You can order through auto zone. You'll need to buy or rent a ball joint press (Can buy for $99) or less at a local parts stores.
If you wreck or need to replace the upper ball joint you have to buy the entire knuckle.
The Moog Ball joints are much better that the stock units and have a grease fitting. Took a while to do the job, as i installed a set of VBP Poly bushing set at the same time.
You can order through auto zone. You'll need to buy or rent a ball joint press (Can buy for $99) or less at a local parts stores.
If you wreck or need to replace the upper ball joint you have to buy the entire knuckle.
The Moog Ball joints are much better that the stock units and have a grease fitting. Took a while to do the job, as i installed a set of VBP Poly bushing set at the same time.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,063
Likes: 9,827
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
At $125 for the ball joint you would be just as well off buying a new control arm from a dealer that gives a discount. Last I looked the control arm is around $150 and then you get new control arm bushings.
Bill
Bill
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 479
Likes: 2
From: Hollywood Maryland
Lower Ball Joint replacement
I'm going with John Siels recommendation for right now. I'll strip off the old boot, clean the ball joint, look for apparent damage. If OK, regrease it and use the C4 boot by Energy Suspensions and see how it works. Appreciate all the good advice. Just in case the ball joint is damaged, anyone have the part number for the lower control arm assembly? May try to pick one up at the swap meet at Carlisle.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by connecticut
question? that new lower dust seal has a washer on the top, the oem dust seal does not, does the washer affect where the knuckle sits on the taper?
The picture is playing games on your eyes. The ball joint is pressed in from below and what you are seeing is the just part of the metal base of the ball joint.
Tony
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,063
Likes: 9,827
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Originally Posted by HollywoodFRC
Just in case the ball joint is damaged, anyone have the part number for the lower control arm assembly? May try to pick one up at the swap meet at Carlisle.
Bill
