Replacing Ball Joints

[the hammer]

Ok, so i called chevy, they gave me part numbers for my upper and lower ball joints. apparently, I have to buy the entire upper a-arm to replace my upper ball joint. This sounds crazy! I have 06 crew cab Z71. Is this true, or is there actual replacement ball joints I can get without having to buy the whole dang thing?

 

part numbers quoted to me based on my VIN number:

 

Upper (w/ control arm): 15864153

Lower: 12475478

[fishbones182]

You should be able to just replace the upper and lower ball joints by themselves. You should be able to find a set for arround 50 to 60 bucks or so. Make sure you have a pickle fork to remove the old one and a good ball joint press to put the new one in.

[MarkD]

I replaced my upper and lower ball joints on my 03 about a year ago. They are "press-in". I got them from Advance Auto.

[the hammer]

I replaced my upper and lower ball joints on my 03 about a year ago. They are "press-in". I got them from Advance Auto.

 

That is what I thought, but I think it is only applicable to crew cab suspensions. i tried looking up ball joints on NAPA and Rockauto's website, and sure enough I can't find upper ball joints for my truck! This is crazy!

 

I hope someone can help me solve this mystery, cause I can't figure out the part number for the press-in ball joints for the uppers if nobody sells them for my specific truck. Gotta love it!

[gmtech4]

DO NOT buy jobber upper ball joints ,they come loose ,put GM upper control arms on,thats how GM sells them,they have new bushings as well,

 

DO NOT buy jobber upper control arms either,they have movement in the upper ball joint brand new,

 

do you self a favor and not use jobber crap

 

my 2 cents ,I have experienced both at work

[WilliamBos]

I have not had to do mine yet, but I totally agree with you. Leave the jobber crap in the store. Did my front wheel beairngs, and bought GM Stuff. Left went out at 141,000 kms/88 125 miles, and the right at 152 000 kms/95000 miles.

 

DO NOT buy jobber upper ball joints ,they come loose ,put GM upper control arms on,thats how GM sells them,they have new bushings as well,

 

DO NOT buy jobber upper control arms either,they have movement in the upper ball joint brand new,

 

do you self a favor and not use jobber crap

 

my 2 cents ,I have experienced both at work

[the hammer]

My right wheel bearing went out two months ago at 70K miles, which was not cool.

 

I am doing the ball joints as precautionary, because I will be putting on a lift kit and do not want to have loose alignments or problems after spending that much money and then have to have someone retake all those parts off to install ball joints after the fact.