How-To: Replace Balljoints On GMT800 1500 Z71.

[lowcountry]

It started with the occasional "thunk" when backing out of the driveway and then it proceeded to get worse whenever turning. I decided to replace both joints since I was going to have my truck tore down this far anyways. Moog balljoints with lifetime warranty were $150. I used the tool loaner program at O'Reily's and got the ball joint press and pickle fork from them. The other special tool I had to use was a large axle nut socket that I got a while back to change the hub bearing. According to the manual, you are supposed to take off the control arms and take them to a shop to have them pressed out and new ones pressed in. With a ball joint press, you can do it yourself and save a bunch of money. Leaving the shock connected allowed me to not have to unload the torsion bar. I did keep the jack underneath the lower control arm just in case. I am going to get new tires soon so it will be getting an alignment then. If I already had good tires on it, the first stop would be for an alignment. I searched everywhere for guidance on how to do this. Hopefully this will help anyone else interested in doing this.

 

 

Start with getting the truck jacked up, supported, and tire off.

 

 

Remove the brake caliper mount and tie the caliper out of the way.

 

 

Remove the anti-sway bar.

 

 

Remove the dust cap and axle nut.

 

 

Now you can remove the halfshaft after unbolting it from the differential flange. Then it can be removed through the low control arm. I choose to index the halfshaft. Probably wasn't necessary but it can't hurt.

 

 

Halfshaft out of the way.

 

 

Using pickle fork to separate the balljoint from the steering knuckle.

 

 

Now for the bottom. I had to beat this one like it owed me money. You can also see I disconnected the tie rod.

 

 

Once I got the bottom joint separated. I removed the steering knuckle. I ended up having to loosen the bearing to get the ABS sensor out. So I just completely dissembled it which wasn't necessary. I carried away with the impact wrench I guess.

 

 

Top joint came out with no problem.

 

 

With the bottom joint, I had to knock 4 crimps back in. Here I have it half way out.

 

 

Pressing the new one in.

 

 

Got both joints back in and ready to start reassembling everything.

 

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.

[azchevy99]

Nice write up man. I was planning on replacing my lowers this weekend and was going to remove the whole control arm. What did you use to get the old ball ends out though?

[ColeTrains03]

good writeup i found one of my uppers has a ripped boot so when i install my lift kit(2") i'm gonna pull the ball joints and replace them with Moogs and new sway bar links

[txab]

Thanks for the write-up. I'm sure plenty will find it helpful.

[3220onr]

What is the name of the tool to press the new ball joints in? And where can I acquire a quality tool like this? Any other special tools required?