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Ball Joints

Never thought of using the portapower.

I usually pop the tapers, destroy the upper rivets with the air hammer/chisel and then drive the lower joint out with the air hammer.

The top joint bolts back on, I use the weight of the vehicle to press the lower back in.

Nuts draw the tapers down to final fit/torque.

Easy peasy....:)
 
Did you grease em up after assembly?

The time before last when I went for tires the shop called me and said my passenger lower ball joint was bad so they put a new one on. When I got home I shot a few pumps of grease in it just to be sure it was fully lubed. I was very disappointed that it went in so easy and I did not see the boot swell. It was like it only had enough to assemble it and not be dry. I wonder if the cheapies just have a little cheap grease in them too not to be dry or its more for corrosion guard than wear guard. ????
 
Alignment will come soon.

I greased up the entire front end. :thumbsup:

They come with grease in them but, not much.
 
I got my alignment done a few weeks ago. It drives a lot better. But, it needs a new steering gear box.
They man that did the alignment warned me it was going bad and that he tightened it up the best he could.
I was thinking of getting one from this place.
http://redheadsteeringgears.reachlocal.com/?scid=982563&kw=5016327
Are they really that much better?
I can get one at my local parts store with a lifetime warranty.
 
DieselCash said:
I got my alignment done a few weeks ago. It drives a lot better. But, it needs a new steering gear box.
They man that did the alignment warned me it was going bad and that he tightened it up the best he could.
I was thinking of getting one from this place.
http://redheadsteeringgears.reachlocal.com/?scid=982563&kw=5016327
Are they really that much better?
I can get one at my local parts store with a lifetime warranty.
Click to expand...

Some of the store rebuilds are scary, bent sector shafts, etc. If you can find a local place that rebuilds them, that would be your best bet or a trust worthy online store.
 
jrsavoie said:
Is there a good thread here on changing lower ball joints 96 K1500 Suburban Stamped steel arms. It's been a while and I do not remember all the particulars
Click to expand...

You could do it like I did. I have a picture our two showing how I did it.

It is pretty easy, just rent our purchase the tool. Harbor Freight has it for around $70.
 
jrsavoie said:
I've got the tools and have done the job before. Just don't remember much past taking the wheel off. LOL
Click to expand...

Look at post 14. The ball joint is already out in the picture. I use a floor jack and raise the truck. With the truck up I put the lower control arm on a jack stand. It put the jack stand on the the lower control arm closest to the cab. I leave the floor jack on the control arm closest to the front of the truck. I do this just in case something fails. I then remove the cotter pen and nut(the nut is a 27MM on my truck) that hold the spindle down on the ball joint. I then use my portable hydraulic kit to raise up the spindle and upper control arm. While I am raising it up I use a ratchet strap to bring it forward and out of the way. Once the spindle is off the the lower ball joint I use the press to drop/force it out.

Does this help?
 
Hope so. LOL Sometimes I can be pretty dense/spacey anymore. I remember doing something similar. I'm pretty sure I started by removing the half axle and bearing, I remember trying a couple of different things. Like jacking on the lower arm and raising the whole side of the truck up and having to do something different. I was thinking that someplace there was step by step instructions that I found before attempting this job the first time. The 2nd wasn't long after the first and I didn't need much refreshing then.


DieselCash said:
Look at post 14. The ball joint is already out in the picture. I use a floor jack and raise the truck. With the truck up I put the lower control arm on a jack stand. It put the jack stand on the the lower control arm closest to the cab. I leave the floor jack on the control arm closest to the front of the truck. I do this just in case something fails. I then remove the cotter pen and nut(the nut is a 27MM on my truck) that hold the spindle down on the ball joint. I then use my portable hydraulic kit to raise up the spindle and upper control arm. While I am raising it up I use a ratchet strap to bring it forward and out of the way. Once the spindle is off the the lower ball joint I use the press to drop/force it out.

Does this help?
Click to expand...
 
This might not work for you. I did it this way on a two wheel drive truck. I see that yours are all 4X4. :???:

In my life I have owned very few 4X4 trucks. So, I am of no help unless the process is the same.
 
I just finished the pass side lower BJ on my 3500. The 1500 should be similar.

I took the shock off for more room, removed the axle and the hubs as they are being replaced. The tie rod was also removed. I then torched the rivet heads off and drilled a hole 2/3 through and beat them out with a BFH and punch. Only smacked my hand 3 times.:rolleyes5:
 
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