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Ball joint replacement

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reece13

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So its been about 7 or 8 years since ive doneball joints on anything, and the last time i did them, it was with an old friend and i helped him do it on an old k10 pickup. I dont remember them being too difficult, but just time consuming. I need to do them on my current K5 and was wondering how much a shop charges for this or should i just grab a knowledgable friend to help and do em my self?
 
One tip....... BUY THE MOOG's. I found after 3 different brands and trying to figure out what was wrong, that the correct part number ones of different brands are TOO long. the Moogs were the right legnth. really put a damper on job progress:doah:
 
Yeah, i was def. planning on getting the moogs. I am just getting to point where sometimes i get annoyed with working on my old chevy and wondering if i should just get an old timer friend who is good mechanic to install them for me and save me the hardache this time!
 
easy enough to pull the knuckles off and run them down to a shop, well worth it if you don't see yourself buying a remover tool and doing them. However, having the tool comes in handy for u joints and trail repairs too.

Me.... I bought the tool, did my ball joints, and without putting a single mile on them, sold the axle for a D60 :doah::haha:
 
Definitely do them yourself. I did mine about 6 months ago having never replaced a ball joint in my life. Not too bad. Autozone and Oreilly's and probably some of the other places will loan out the ball joint press tool. Drop $60 or so up front, get it all back when you bring it back.

Also, make sure you have the special pre-load adjuster nut socket before you start. I didn't know about that thing and ended up having to stop in the middle of the job for a week while I waited for it to be shipped. And don't buy the snap on one, it wasn't quite long enough for me to do it 100% right. I managed to make it work, but I wouldn't buy the same tool again.

Here's a thread that talks about the pre-load adjuster and has links to a couple of them: http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=295670
 
Or you can make one with a grinder in about 10 mins using a 13/16 deep socket.
 
rampage said:
Or you can make one with a grinder in about 10 mins using a 13/16 deep socket.
Click to expand...

:waytogo: They are also widely available at Vatozone and other retailers. And it's not a hard job to do yourself. I used a harbor freight press and an impact and it popped the old ones out and installed the new ones easily. The hardest part was getting the joints to separate from the axle. Took some heat, beating with a sledge, and two of the 27 year joints actually broke apart before they came out.
 
paratrooper307 said:
:waytogo: They are also widely available at Vatozone and other retailers. And it's not a hard job to do yourself. I used a harbor freight press and an impact and it popped the old ones out and installed the new ones easily. The hardest part was getting the joints to separate from the axle. Took some heat, beating with a sledge, and two of the 27 year joints actually broke apart before they came out.
Click to expand...

I couldn't find one locally at all. Maybe I was just looking in the wrong places. I would just make sure you've found it (or have the stuff to make one) before starting
 
I couldnt get one locally either:dunno: made one with the grinder:waytogo:
 
once you do a set or 2 then you see how easy thay are to do and mabye make a few bucks doing some for friends . :D

as others have posted its easy / and basic / just time and few bucks in parts and loan a tool from parts store.
 
shady said:
One tip....... BUY THE MOOG's. I found after 3 different brands and trying to figure out what was wrong, that the correct part number ones of different brands are TOO long. the Moogs were the right legnth. really put a damper on job progress:doah:
Click to expand...

Maybe This Is Why My Uppers Look Way Too LoG. I Will Buy Moogs Next Time I Was On A Budget And Couldnt Beat 10 Bucks A Piece On Rock Auto. Sorry About The CAps For Some Reason My Stupid Phone Has Been Doing That Lately.
 
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