balljoints 
Anyone ever installed the lower balljoints? How did you press them in? 
balljoints
I always had to have it done.
What I found was that after buying the lower ball joint and paying a shop to press the old one out and the new one in, there wasn't much difference in price between that and buying a new lower A-Arm from GM.
Of course, my dealer treats me really, really nice ....
What I found was that after buying the lower ball joint and paying a shop to press the old one out and the new one in, there wasn't much difference in price between that and buying a new lower A-Arm from GM.
Of course, my dealer treats me really, really nice ....
I had a local shop quote me $330 to do one lower balljoint. I told them they were crazy. I have replaced balljoints before but never one that had to be pressed in and out.
I have a balljoint press and I have done them on an LT1 car. The a arm is not exactly parallel on these cars where the balljoint press will sit. This makes it a bit of a challenge, but not impossible.
Harbor freight will have a balljoint tool (it does U joints too and looks like a giant C-clamp). That's what you need (or a machine shop to just do it for you).
Harbor freight will have a balljoint tool (it does U joints too and looks like a giant C-clamp). That's what you need (or a machine shop to just do it for you).
I know this is reviving from the dead, but, can I press the ball joints in with a Giant C-clamp? I have a heavy duty one that is about 14" long ... will that work? My fornt is grinding bad when I turn the wheels rigth or left. I'm thinking it's the lower ball joints.
You'll never get the force required (much less the press plate to keep from damaging the new ball joint that you won't have) with an actual C clamp. You'll probably break it before you ever get the balljoint in or out.
Thanks ... that's kinda' what I figured ... guess I'll get the dealership to do it. I'm pulling the wheels to make sure it's the ball joints, but, I'm pretty sure that's what it is. I appreciate the advice trackbird. Thanks a lot. I want to take it to the track for my first run with this build. Probably OK to run, but, better safe than sorry.
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if you wanna check your ball joints dont pull the wheels... just lift the front up so that the suspension is unloaded.. then put your hands on the top and bottom of the tire and try to jiggle the wheel (jiggle not turn) if you feel any play or hear a light clunking then its a balljoint.
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