rear lower ball joints replacement
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Louisville K
rear lower ball joints replacement
I need to do some drive axle work and plan to replace the ball joints while I have the rear end apart. (2001 C5 with 133K on the clock) I cannot find a part # for the rear lower ball joints. I would prefer an OEM part but would gladly install a Moog or similar quality part. I understand that there may be some problems with pressing out the old and pressing in the new joints, resulting in deformation of the control arm, but i haven't been able to find much info on this situation. Apparently, GM wants us to replace the entire rear lower CA rather than just the ball joint? Really? So...I would still like to take a stab at replacing the joint in the usual, but very, very careful manner. Anybody got a part # and source for the rear lower C5 ball joints? Any other advice relating to this situation is also greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!
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Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Oregon
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Louisville K
Thank you, Smoken1 - That link gave me part numbers I had run across before. I was still not sure of those part numbers but now I'll give them a try! For anyone else who has replaced their own ball joints I'm still open for advice and tips on swapping them out. What I had thought to be a simple process of replacing the ball joints in the usual manner had become a real source of concern - not to mention delaying getting my sweet C5 back on the road. I also didn't want to buy a set of control arms at @$330 each! Thanks again!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,803
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From: Northville, MI
If you are going to do it yourself, find someone with the correct ball joint service tool and not the free rentals you see at autoz, reilly, etc. Those are usually been used so many times they will slip off the the steering knuckle. Learned the hard way. Had a friend who was a former GM engineer who had the master kit, put in the Moog Ball Joints very easily with a 18" ratchet.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2017
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The lower ball joints are the same at all 4 corners, just as the uppers are all the same. I just replaced all of mine a few months ago. Moog lowers and GM uppers (because every retailer out there kept sending me GM looking uppers for 3x the price of a GM unit). I'd suggest saving yourself some trouble and removing the LCA to press the joints in with a hydraulic/shop press. It's only a few bolts to remove the entire arm, just mark the eccentric bolt (front lower bolt) and you may still need/want an alignment after. I'm not saying you can't press them in with a handheld press, but you're going to be cussing for hours as it keeps wanting to go in crooked. I got the front lowers in by hand with a press and big wrench, but the rears made me throw in the towel and pull the arms. And I'm stubborn...lol
At 133k miles...and while you're in there...wouldn't hurt to do all 8 ball joints, 4 tie rod ends, and 4 hubs....it'll run about $1,200 in parts, really isn't hard to do yourself, and will give you the peace of mind knowing it's all new again.
At 133k miles...and while you're in there...wouldn't hurt to do all 8 ball joints, 4 tie rod ends, and 4 hubs....it'll run about $1,200 in parts, really isn't hard to do yourself, and will give you the peace of mind knowing it's all new again.
