Gmc front suspension help need some experts detailed answers

[stlucas]

If you know please give me your expertise. I have 05 GMC 1500 4x4 Z71 crew cab. The upper & lower ball joints are shot & need replaced asap. The lower ball joint oem has a replacement part # 12475478. My issue is the upper ball joint. I see all these vids & post of replacing the upper ball joint, but oem the upper ball joint is not sold separately, it requires the uca part # 15864153. I was going to go aftermarket & they sell just the upper ball joint. But can (my) the original upper ball joint be replaced without replacing the whole uca. using the original uca? 

Why is the original oem upper sold with the control arm and not separately like the lower?

Ide prefer to not replace the whole uca but i want it done right. I’ve replaced ball joints in other trucks but they were sold oem with out the whole uca. Is the upper not made to be removed, tabs, rivets, design. 

If the uca is required would it be wise to replace any other parts control arms, ect, 

Its my daily ride & i wanu to have everything/ part ready for the job and done right without having to run into any issues. Need some expertise & would appreciate some advice. As well as additional parts (brands) needed, any links to help. Thanks 

[rjgti]

replace the entire uoc,  you get all new bushings that way. I would recommend doing lower bushings as well.

[mikedeezxxx]

Agreed. Just replace whole UCA and LCA. You’ll be mad you didn’t after.


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[stlucas]

The control arm bushings are good. The truck barely has 100,500 miles on it. The ball joints ( what I mean by shoot ) have been missing their dust covers for a good while, so I grease them monthly. Figure it’s about time to replace.

 Wanting to just replace the ball joints and not mess with any major alignment parts. Until i found out the original upper joints come with the control arm that changes my plans.

So i guess my question is why do they sell aftermarket upper ball joints & oem sold with the uca? Are they not replaceable using  the original up control arm. thanks 

[stlucas]

The control arm bushings are good. The truck barely has 100,500 miles on it. The ball joints ( what I mean by shoot ) have been missing their dust covers for a good while, so I grease them monthly. Figure it’s about time to replace.

 Wanting to just replace the ball joints and not mess with any major alignment parts. Until i found out the original upper joints come with the control arm that changes my plans.

So i guess my question is why do they sell aftermarket upper ball joints & oem sold with the uca? Are they not replaceable using  the original up control arm. thanks 

[Jsdirt]

On my '07, GM sold entire control arms for both upper and lower ball joint replacements. I just bought Moog components and installed them myself. For the uppers, it is MUCH easier to just replace the whole upper control arm. If you don't have a ball joint press, you're going to be fighting that thing for HOURS trying to get the ball joint out of the control arm. The lowers on mine were a nightmare - at the time, I had a press, but didn't have the correct adaptors. I had to improvise with junk laying around the shop, and swing a 20-pound sledge to get the stupid things out.

 

If you don't have a press, just replace the control arms. You'll thank me later. You'd have to get a front end alignment just replacing the ball joints anyway, so it's not a big deal. Don't install cheap (as in quality - NOT price) GM junk back in it - replace the stuff with Moog. You'll thank me later on that as well.

[mikedeezxxx]

Did you check rockauto.com. Not sure of your exact model and engine info but entirely new uca and lca with new bushings and ball joints might only cost $50-$120 depending on your model truck.


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[Doug_Scott]

OEM control arms have been made with the idea that the ball joint will never be removed, so they are made to not come apart in your driveway on a hot summer day.  GM used to rivet upper ball joints in, MOOG sold bolt in replacements.  Chrysler used to have a big ass socket that you had to buy in order to replace the ball joints.  If you bought cheap sockets to change your ball joints on your Duster, you may get all the ball joints replaced before the socket split.  I used to use a air chisel to remove both the twist in and the press in ball joints, you could not use it to put either type back successfully.  If the shop did not have a press, we used to somehow scrounge some pieces of large diameter pipe and use that to MacGyver a press using the pipe, the weight of the car and a hammer to "press" it back in, without removing the control arm or the spring.  Looking back at that now it was a wonder no one was ever killed doing the shit we used to do.  

 

All the design stuff that you sit and think "I wonder why they did that?", the answer is always for cost/ease of assembly.  None of it is designed to be replaced at a reasonable cost, unless you have the ability to sell hundreds of thousands in the next month or so.

[Jsdirt]

Ain't that the truth, Doug! I remember yanking coil springs out of my '78 Cutlass behind my parent's shed with nothing more than basic hand tools, and a jack. Rebuilt that whole front end, control arm bushings and all. Drilled all the ball joint studs out with an electric drill, and knocked them out with a punch and hammer. Air tools were a luxury that was still 5 years out for me, then. Took me 2 weeks! Took the bus from the city which only came within 5 miles of their house - walked the rest of the way carrying that 50 lb. toolbox. I have a hard time carrying that damn thing across the shop these days, LOL.

[sefiroxx]

01 burb has riveted ball joints. I went the route of cutting the rivets. Had to remove the control arm to do it. Never, never, never again. Will replace the whole unit next time

[stlucas]

I will definitely have a press kn hand for the fix. Now seeing the uca is required it puts a bigger spin on the issue. Camber retainer tab alignment, what brand & part #s. Tie rods, A bit more youtube vid watching. I’m a motor head, engine guy, so i have the tools. 

I did come across this 

https://chevroletforum.com/how-tos/a/chevrolet-silverado-1999-2006-how-to-replace-upper-control-arm-392424