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Ball Joint replaceent on an 85

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cederic

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I'm replacing the ball joints on my 85 K5.
I stumbled on an adjusting nut on top of the upper.
Chiltons reassembly instructions say to lift and torque the bottom ball joint and them torque this upper adjusting nut.
Easy enough... except that it takes a spanner socket.
Anyone know where I can get one?
I'd like to think that since I didn't move the adjusting nut that I can just go back together without messin with it.
Anyone have experience with this?
Thanks

[image]http://www.animationcity.net/gifz/hand.gif[/image]

What do you call a fly after you pull off it's wings ?
A WALK...ahhehe
 
I bought mine at CarQuest auto parts. YOu can get them from the Snap-on man as well. You may be able to get one at the Zone or Napa or some other bigger chain like that.
But yes, you need to get remove it because the new ball joint needs to be adjusted so that you have the proper ball-joint pre-load which is somewhere in the area of 20 inch pounds.
hope this helps. Let me know if you need more info!

Just say no to crack(s)
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.nashvillek5.freeservers.com>www.nashvillek5.freeservers.com</a>
 
Ok, to clear this up so we dont get off on the wrong track with the "facts" issue!!
laugh.gif

You need to torque the adjustment sleeve according to the specs that come with the new ball-joint instructions.
However, Once the ball joints and knuckle are installed adn ready for the spindle and all the other stuff the knuckle needs to have "about" 20 inch pounds of resistance to move it.
Less my recolection fails me.
Is that sufficient for your "Facts" Exey? Please feel free to enlighten us if there is anything I missed or miss quoted!
tongue.gif


What is and what should never be....
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I got mine from Mac, but just about every good parts house carries them - Napa's tools are the same as Matco, for a smaller price.

Dos mas Tecates!!!
<a target="_blank" href=http://pugsley.alloffroad.com>pugsley.alloffroad.com</a>
 
Nothing attached! IS this a test?
shocked.gif


What is and what should never be....
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.nashvillek5.freeservers.com>www.nashvillek5.freeservers.com</a>
 
I agree with everyone else you can get the spanner socket anywhere.
As far as the torque my book says 50 ft lbs but mines a 72 model. and it also gave me a new one of those in the ball joint kit dont use your old one.
I just did mine Sunday.
what fun but it does help the steering.


Blazin 72
1972 K5 350 vortec, 4 inch lift, with nothing else important.
 
go with 5oft lbs otherwise you have to dimantle the whole tie rod assembley that 20 spring lbs they want is from a wieght measuring guide (like to weigh fish)

88k5 silverado w4"lift <font color=orange>d44 and corp14ff</font color=orange> with 4.56s
 
I had a hard time finding the spanner socket and coulden't wate for it to get shipped to me....So I made my own. I used a deep 1/2 drive impact socket and grinded it down with a cut off wheel till it fit right. It ended up being alot cheeper but it took me about a hour to make.

You will also need a 1-5/16" socket (I could only find one in 3/4" drive so I also had to get an adapter).

'71 Blazer CST w/ a 400sbc, 4" lift, 36" Supper Swampers, and alot of rust
 
the ones for my 83 said to torque at 50 lbs but a good wrench mechanic said to set them flush with the top of the knuckle, whichever comes 1st.

That jeep thing? Yah I understand it....... Like my Blazer? <a target="_blank" href=http://community.webshots.com/user/blazerk5>http://community.webshots.com/user/blazerk5</a>
Jim
 
I just went through this last month, good luck on the friggin spanner tool!!!!!! I went everywhere, dealer (with the GM tool number), snap-on man, part shops, friggin everywhere, and noone had it. I forget where I eventually got it...



Ratch
<a target="_blank" href=http://k5.8m.com>k5.8m.com</a>
**Ever stop to think... Then forget to start again?**
 
Thanks for all of the replies.
I did find one at Car Quest. They had to order it but I'll have it today.
Chilton's also says not to reuse the 3 nuts that hold the steering arm to the spindle on the drivers side. I had to get them from GM at $1.86 each.
I'm really wondering if it is necessary to replace them.
Thanks again for all of your help.


[image]http://www.animationcity.net/gifz/hand.gif[/image]

What do you call a fly after you pull off it's wings ?
A WALK...ahhehe
 
If memory serves me correctly you can replace the ball-joints without taking the steering arm off. But if you do take it off the should replace them with new lock nuts.

What is and what should never be....
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.nashvillek5.freeservers.com>www.nashvillek5.freeservers.com</a>
 
Yes, you can by taking off the tie-rod end off.
But it looked so easy just to take off those 3 nuts. Wrong...
That arm is stuck hard.
So I ended up popping the tie rod off after all.
I got some experience anyway.


[image]http://www.animationcity.net/gifz/hand.gif[/image]

What do you call a fly after you pull off it's wings ?
A WALK...ahhehe
 
Yeah that steering arm is a mother!

What is and what should never be....
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.nashvillek5.freeservers.com>www.nashvillek5.freeservers.com</a>
 
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