Ball Joint question/problem

[ldrintx]

My 1978 K5 blazer needs new ball joints. A friend and I tried to change them
once already, but apparently changing the joints requires the Laws of Physics
to be violated. I've been told that the axle must removed first. I've also
been told there is some way to merely shift the axle around without
completely removing it, to make space to remove the ball joints.

Either way, that's the problem. We can't figure out how to get the
axle out while the ball joints are still in place, and can't remove the ball
joints while the axle is still in place....Catch-22.

Clearly we've missed something! Can somebody provide proper instructions
for how to change ball joints in a 1978 K5?

THANKS!

 

[dremu]

My 1978 K5 blazer needs new ball joints. A friend and I tried to change them
once already, but apparently changing the joints requires the Laws of Physics
to be violated. I've been told that the axle must removed first. I've also
been told there is some way to merely shift the axle around without
completely removing it, to make space to remove the ball joints.

Either way, that's the problem. We can't figure out how to get the
axle out while the ball joints are still in place, and can't remove the ball
joints while the axle is still in place....Catch-22.

Clearly we've missed something! Can somebody provide proper instructions
for how to change ball joints in a 1978 K5?

THANKS!

Do a search. Yes, you have to remove the axleshafts ... just gotta remove the spindles to get them out. It's greasy dirty work, but it's doable.

You'll also need the magic socket thing, Oatanna 2080, IIRC, but search on "ball joint installation" and you'll find more than you wanted to.

-- A

 

[spearchucker]

Ball joint write-up.


.

 

[sweetk30]

1= tire off

2= brakes and rotor /hub off

3= spindle and all parts off

4= axle shaft out

5= remove top and bottom nuts

6= remove knuckle

7= remove and install ball joints with ball joint press. auto zone rents them if needed.

8= reinstall all parts

this is the sort discription of it all.

 

[Jagged]

this is the sort discription of it all.

Forgot an important step...

Check for "spare" parts.

 

[sweetk30]

been a long time for ball joints in my stuff. i run the big boy on the block.

 

[dremu]

Ball joint write-up.


.

Anybody wanna elucidate on this PVC idea the write up talks about?

Are we talking about just dropping a like half-section of PVC lengthwise into the axle housing? seems like it'd get a bit beat up by the axle shaft rotating about...

-- A

 

[spearchucker]

Ask Grim-Reaper, he did this on his Dollar truck. Or you could ask the guy that bought Dollar also.

 

[spearchucker]

Here's the PVC axle tube tech tip post.


.

 

[GsxrMike]

Does anyone know where I can go to get my ball joints pressed in? I tried to do it with my 3 in 1 tool from HF and an impact gun but I am running into all kinds of trouble. Also, does anyone know where I can get the tool for the top adjusting nut?

 

[GsxrMike]

Nothing? Anybody? BUMP