How to remove lower ball joints? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pat · 06-13-2004, 07:35 PM

Finally getting to do some work on my frame and I got some new lower ball joints. But how do I get the old ones out and the new ones in?

*Robo_bot* · 06-13-2004, 07:44 PM

they are pressed into the control arm u will need to get them Hyd. pressed out by a shop or if u have one go for it and then all u do is do the same process to press in the new ones

**old Rusty C10** · 06-13-2004, 07:56 PM

if youve still got the a frames in the truck you can get a small press tool from autozone or pep bopys and do em right in the truck or ive also been told ( although ive never tried it) to support the lower control arm and give the ball joint a couple of whacks with a baby sledge and it will pop out you can then put the new ball joint in the hole and grease it some and support the bottom of the ball joint with something about the same size then beat the control arm down around it. Again ive never tried that routeso if thats an old wives tale ya didnt hear it from me lol

CEDJUNIOR · 06-13-2004, 10:18 PM

I've used the ball joint press that Autozone rents out. It looks like a big C-clamp and you attach a wrench or socket to it and press out the old one then press in the new one. Its pretty straight forward and the longer the wrench you use the easier it is to do. Its $99 at Autozone, but you get your money back when you return it.

SkyBlue72' · 06-14-2004, 01:41 AM

you can smack the old ones out, but I do recommend the use of the press or the c-shaped press.

Booga1 · 06-14-2004, 09:24 AM

Ball joint press is the best way to go. I got mine from Harbor Freight...

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38335

B

*Sublvr72* · 06-14-2004, 05:17 PM

call me old fassioned but I prefer the pickle fork and jack method. I have used it many times sucessfully on almost all of my cars and trucks from the suburban, silverado, and my Impala. Works everytime!

**COBALT** · 06-14-2004, 07:06 PM

They're not talking about separating the ball joint from the spindle. That's what the pickle-fork's for. They're talking about getting the ball joint out of the lower control arm. Gotta have a press for that, either manual or hydrolic.

I popped mine out with the C-clamp press, and had them pressed in at a shop. Worked great.

Beware that those lower control arms can only take X number of presses before the hole gets too big and you either have to contemplate sleeves or new control arms...

*Sublvr72* · 06-15-2004, 03:43 PM

oh, my mistake. Yep the press is the only way to go. I heard that some people are starting to use modified pullers to remove the spindle from the ball joint....

06-13-2004, 07:35 PM	#1
pat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Lindsay, TX Posts: 1,245	How to remove lower ball joints? Finally getting to do some work on my frame and I got some new lower ball joints. But how do I get the old ones out and the new ones in? __________________ 68 Chevy 383/350 w/shift kit, 380hp/425ft-lbs, 4.5/5 drop, 17" TT2s 64 Cadillac Sedan DeVille

06-13-2004, 07:56 PM	#3
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	if youve still got the a frames in the truck you can get a small press tool from autozone or pep bopys and do em right in the truck or ive also been told ( although ive never tried it) to support the lower control arm and give the ball joint a couple of whacks with a baby sledge and it will pop out you can then put the new ball joint in the hole and grease it some and support the bottom of the ball joint with something about the same size then beat the control arm down around it. Again ive never tried that routeso if thats an old wives tale ya didnt hear it from me lol __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

06-13-2004, 10:18 PM	#4
CEDJUNIOR Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Irving/Valley Ranch, Tx Posts: 897	I've used the ball joint press that Autozone rents out. It looks like a big C-clamp and you attach a wrench or socket to it and press out the old one then press in the new one. Its pretty straight forward and the longer the wrench you use the easier it is to do. Its $99 at Autozone, but you get your money back when you return it. __________________ GM RPO Codes '95 K1500 4x4 Ext Cab 5.7 TBI NV4500 Tranny, 14 Bolt swapped in, locker, 3.73's

06-14-2004, 07:06 PM	#8
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	They're not talking about separating the ball joint from the spindle. That's what the pickle-fork's for. They're talking about getting the ball joint out of the lower control arm. Gotta have a press for that, either manual or hydrolic. I popped mine out with the C-clamp press, and had them pressed in at a shop. Worked great. Beware that those lower control arms can only take X number of presses before the hole gets too big and you either have to contemplate sleeves or new control arms... __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

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06-13-2004, 07:44 PM	#2
Robo_bot Account Suspended Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Kelowna BC Canada Posts: 481	they are pressed into the control arm u will need to get them Hyd. pressed out by a shop or if u have one go for it and then all u do is do the same process to press in the new ones

06-14-2004, 01:41 AM	#5
SkyBlue72' Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Chinle, Arizona Posts: 60	you can smack the old ones out, but I do recommend the use of the press or the c-shaped press.

06-14-2004, 09:24 AM	#6
Booga1 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Cincinnati, Oh Posts: 86	Ball joint press is the best way to go. I got mine from Harbor Freight... http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=38335 B

06-14-2004, 05:17 PM	#7
Sublvr72 Account Suspended Join Date: May 2004 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 1,387	call me old fassioned but I prefer the pickle fork and jack method. I have used it many times sucessfully on almost all of my cars and trucks from the suburban, silverado, and my Impala. Works everytime!

06-15-2004, 03:43 PM	#9
Sublvr72 Account Suspended Join Date: May 2004 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 1,387	oh, my mistake. Yep the press is the only way to go. I heard that some people are starting to use modified pullers to remove the spindle from the ball joint....



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