Lower Ball Joint Replacement

cdnav8r · November 21, 2004

I guess my front end problems just won't stop......

Anyways, how hard is it to replace the lower ball joint? My front driver side one was just replaced by a mechanic and the front right may soon need to be replaced as well as it still shows a single clunk noise on left turns from a standstill.

The front left one was replaced as there was a lot of play when you pull on the bottom of the tire (after being hoisted up). The front right was not as severe but shows signs of needing to be replaced soon.

I would like to try doing this myself as it gets a tad bit expensive at the mechanics. The extent of my work has usually only been oil changes and tire rotations so I would like to know how hard it is to change out the ball joint.

Thanks

JimsZR2 · December 13, 2004

well, Do you have the right tools? Pickle forks? 46MM socket?

It's not that hard, Go with MOOG brand suspension parts as they last longer than factory and they have a lifetime warranty.

cantrma · January 17, 2005

Harbor freight makes a pickle fork just right for one job for about $10. You may need coil spring compressors, again Harbor Freight has cheap ones. Be aware of the extreme danger if the coil spring came loose. If you don't realize the potential to lose a hand, might better let someone else do it. The socket is a specialty and will probably cost $20 or less at a parts place or online. $40 worth of tools (that you don't already have) is all you need if this is a one off.

murrr77 · March 5, 2005

Sorry to hear about your front end issues, but at least I'm not the only one!

It all started about 33k, a squeak in the front end. Lower control arm replaced under warranty, problem solved.

Then at 37k the same issue, first I had to convince them that it was the same problem so they would fix it free, and pointed out it was strange that it was all rusty and and only 4k old...maybe it was never replaced to begin with! So they replaced a bushing in the arm.

At 41k it started to sound like a rusty swingset again. After I called Chev Customer Service and complained they were glad to "look" at it. They ended up having it for 7 days, a lower, upper control arm and ball joint. No squeak now...wait until 45k?