Ball joint replacement

vettman · 08-19-2005, 04:40 PM

Just wondering if there might be a thread on replacing ball joints on a 1979 C-10. I have the shop manual, but would like some "heads-up", "tricks", short cuts, etc. I'll be helping a friend and have not taken a look at his front suspension. Are they pressed in? riveted? Just want to make sure we have the tools we'll need to get the job done without too many busted knuckles, too much cussing, etc. Thanks for any and all recommendations.

mrjohnwayne · 08-19-2005, 11:55 PM

The factory ball joints on the upper a-arm are riveted/bolted in. Simple drill and maybe a little persuasion with a hammer and they come out. The lower a-arm is a different story. They are pressed in, and unless you have an air hammer and a lot of patience your best bet would be to take the a-arm itself off and take it to a shop and have them pressed out and the new one pressed in.

vettman · 08-20-2005, 05:21 AM

Thanks for your advice. Isn't there a removal tool for "pressing out" the lower balljoint without removing the a-frame?

mrjohnwayne · 08-20-2005, 02:29 PM

Yes. I wasn't thinking clearly. Most major auto parts stores will have a ball joint press that you can rent from them.

08-19-2005, 04:40 PM	#1
vettman Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2	Ball joint replacement Just wondering if there might be a thread on replacing ball joints on a 1979 C-10. I have the shop manual, but would like some "heads-up", "tricks", short cuts, etc. I'll be helping a friend and have not taken a look at his front suspension. Are they pressed in? riveted? Just want to make sure we have the tools we'll need to get the job done without too many busted knuckles, too much cussing, etc. Thanks for any and all recommendations.

08-19-2005, 11:55 PM	#2
mrjohnwayne Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 3,114	The factory ball joints on the upper a-arm are riveted/bolted in. Simple drill and maybe a little persuasion with a hammer and they come out. The lower a-arm is a different story. They are pressed in, and unless you have an air hammer and a lot of patience your best bet would be to take the a-arm itself off and take it to a shop and have them pressed out and the new one pressed in. __________________ John Wayne 2000 F-350 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4

08-20-2005, 05:21 AM	#3
vettman Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2	Thanks Thanks for your advice. Isn't there a removal tool for "pressing out" the lower balljoint without removing the a-frame?

08-20-2005, 02:29 PM	#4
mrjohnwayne Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 3,114	Yes. I wasn't thinking clearly. Most major auto parts stores will have a ball joint press that you can rent from them. __________________ John Wayne 2000 F-350 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4

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