I used the same process when I replace all 8 of them! 
Ball joints
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 333
From: Leesburg Fl
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '14,'18
Ball joints
Hi,
Ball joints need to be replaced on the rear, one is squeaky. I've been told that replacing just the ball joint is almost as much as replacing the whole arm which is only available at GM. The estimate for upper and lower rears is $2500.
Corvette Mods has the ball joints for $89 ea.
How much should it cost to replace just the ball joints? BTW, I don't do auto repair.
Thanks for any info.
Ball joints need to be replaced on the rear, one is squeaky. I've been told that replacing just the ball joint is almost as much as replacing the whole arm which is only available at GM. The estimate for upper and lower rears is $2500.
Corvette Mods has the ball joints for $89 ea.
How much should it cost to replace just the ball joints? BTW, I don't do auto repair.
Thanks for any info.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,302
Likes: 1,583
From: Western NY
Since the a-arms are aluminum, on a Corvette, the real trick to replacing the B/Js, is being able to press the old parts out, and new parts in, 1000% STRAIGHT, so you don't warp/tweak/damage the a-arms in any way. Otherwise they won't retain their "clamping force" on the ball joint.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Autozone has a ball joint removal/install tool for rent and it the professional one that works correctly. If you use the FREEZE/HEAT method, it will work like a charm and save you TONS of cash.
Its NOT all that big of a job if you have the right tools and some mechanical knowlwdge. Dont get me wrong. Its a lot of work, but its not that complicated. I would rather replace ball joints than do an old school drum brake job...
Bill
Bill
Its NOT all that big of a job if you have the right tools and some mechanical knowlwdge. Dont get me wrong. Its a lot of work, but its not that complicated. I would rather replace ball joints than do an old school drum brake job...
Bill
Bill
Last edited by Bill Curlee; Feb 22, 2015 at 10:54 AM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 511
Likes: 64
From: Vancouver BC
I changed 8 ball joints and 6 tie rods over christmas. I did change my front bushings 2 yrs ago - and rear bushings last sept.
I liked using after market parts because they are greasable.
The front ball joints are same part # as the rears (upper front = upper rear etc)
The upper ball joints are fixed to the knuckle - not the a arm. I found the uppers the trickiest to install. Lowers were a breeze. I bought a pittsbourg tools 2wd/4wd ball joint kit from harbor freight for $75.
I liked using after market parts because they are greasable.
The front ball joints are same part # as the rears (upper front = upper rear etc)
The upper ball joints are fixed to the knuckle - not the a arm. I found the uppers the trickiest to install. Lowers were a breeze. I bought a pittsbourg tools 2wd/4wd ball joint kit from harbor freight for $75.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,793
Likes: 333
From: Leesburg Fl
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '14,'18
Thanks everyone. I found Xtreme Mods on CF and aftermarket bushings online. Merle at XM will charge me 3 hrs to change them and the bushings are about $50 aftermarket. Makes sense to me.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 498
From: Fords, NJ
not normal at all..........i had to use a Ball Joint Press and a 1/2 drive impact wrench to press out the ball joints. Then using the Freeze / Heat method i used a Hydraulic Press to reinstall them. If that lower Ball Joint came out after a " few light whacks" tells me the knuckle is shot.
Last edited by SG Lou; Sep 4, 2015 at 08:22 AM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 511
Likes: 64
From: Vancouver BC
not normal at all..........i had to use a Ball Joint Press and a 1/2 drive impact wrench to press out the ball joints. Then using the Freeze / Heat method i used a Hydraulic Press to reinstall them. If that lower Ball Joint came out after a " few light whacks" tells me the knuckle is shot.