Ball Joints [Archive] - Team Camaro Tech

: Ball Joints


67stock
Feb 16th, 01, 11:34 AM
Ok someone wanna give me some insight on how to install ball joints?

I don't want to take off the control arm but will if I have to.

It's the lower one I'm tryin to do.

pdq67
Feb 16th, 01, 02:41 PM
You gotta either press it out and back in or knock it out and back in. IMHO, get the C-clamp hand balljoint press at a parts store for its rent or for free with the purchase of the balljoints. It will be easier. pdq67

Eric68
Feb 18th, 01, 12:09 AM
If you're going to do the lower I would suggest doing the upper while you're in there (if the lower is worn out the upper can't be far behind). In my opinion, the upper is much easier to replace than the lower anyway - just drill the rivets and it'll pop right out with a couple hammer blows. Good luck, ball joints are a greasy, nasty job.

davidpozzi
Feb 18th, 01, 08:33 AM
I made my own balljoint press out of some square 2" X 6" tubing for the top and bottom, and 5/8" X 2" bar stock for the sides.
I placed a 3 ton bottle jack in the frame and used a piece of pipe over the bottom and used a smaller OD piece of pipe to press from the top of the ball joint to press it out.
You can reverse the pieces to press the new joint back in the arm.
This frame can be used as a utility press in your garage when you are done with the ball joints.
You can use this on the car if you get it high enough. The frame will hit the floor if you are too low.
David

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Check my web page for First Gen Camaro suspension info:
David's Motorsports page (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/)
First Gen Suspension Page (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/first_gen_suspension.htm)
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