ball joint replacment 4wd one ton

[murfthsurf]

I have a 2001 gmc 3500 i have to replace the upper and lower ball joints.My question is do i have to remove the front drive shaft to get the bottom ones out? And do i need to remove the controll arm. I have a gm book but it is not verry detailed. The top ones look easy enough to get too. The book says remove the controll arm any info will be helpfull.

[gmtech4]

loose the shaft and knuckle ,leave the lower control arm on ,,,support it to remove old ball joint ,you need a ball joint c-clamp kit to complete this job

 

dont forget to align it

 

replace uppers with a GM upper control arm,it has a ball joint in it already ,,,,,do not use an after market ball joint as they tend to creep out the control arm,,,imo

[LongrangeLauber]

loose the shaft and knuckle ,leave the lower control arm on ,,,support it to remove old ball joint ,you need a ball joint c-clamp kit to complete this job

 

dont forget to align it

 

replace uppers with a GM upper control arm,it has a ball joint in it already ,,,,,do not use an after market ball joint as they tend to creep out the control arm,,,imo

 

hmmm not doubting you Rob on your expertise, but I used all aftermarket ball joints when I re did my front suspension (kept stock UCA's) and its been almost 30k miles and have had no problems, yet... Lets hope this doesnt change haha

[gmtech4]

i know what you're saying ,i just seen it before several times thats all,im glad youve had success !!! lol

[LongrangeLauber]

You know why its like that?

[gmtech4]

dont know what ya mean

[LongrangeLauber]

You know why the aftermarket ball joints tend to back themselves out of the UCA's?

[gmtech4]

idk,could be splines arnt big enough ,steel gets stressed ,who knows