96 blazer 4wd ball joints

I am replacing both sides of ball joints and on the passenger side i cant get the lower ball joint out, there is just barely enough room. does anyone have any ideas? Please help!

I am replacing both sides of ball joints and on the passenger side i cant get the lower ball joint out, there is just barely enough room. does anyone have any ideas? Please help!
You have to remove the steering knuckle.
Good big job.
I would sugest a All data DIY repair info sub.
Link below good luck MT
http://www.alldata.com/products/diy/index.html

I have done that, thank you for your input.

Ball joint press. Check with your local parts stores or find a tool truck thats stopped a local repair shop. Do you have a Harbor Freight store near you? They have every tool possible.


Wait, are the ball joints riveted in? If so, you need to air hammer the top of rivets off and the drive the rivets down through the control arm to get the ball joint out. I cant remember if these are rivet style or press in style. Sorry.

look for my post on this in the HOW TO section

Yes, there are some very good how-to posts here somewhere. I have replaced numerous ball joints on these and I have NEVER had to remove the knuckle. I take the axle nut off and pull the knuckle out until there is just enough clearance to get the joint out.

I'm not following where the problem is. Did you look at the photos?
I understand that you do not HAVE TO under all circumstances remove the steering knuckle....in fact, if you read my how to, it says that I fought and fought trying to get the lower one out WITHOUT removing the knuckle, and finally gave in, and it was much easier after that. They practically WELD THEMSELVES to the lower arm. Mine were the originals.

I had to break the heads of the rivets (one of the biggest bitches of the job)

Then using chisels, and screw drivers, and a SHITLOAD of Liquid Wrench (sprayed down through the hole where the grease fitting pokes out) I pried them down and out. I also used a heavyduty punch that fit inside the hole where the grease fitting was to pound them down and out. Like I said, they were welded to it with rust.

Just keep saturating the inside with Liquid Wrench, Prying, and Pounding it down till enough pulls away were you can pry it out completely. I won't lie, it was a huge PITA, compared to the uppers. My old lower joints were masacred when I finally removed them.

Those rivets definitely are a PITA! I highly recommend using an air hammer. I can't tell you how much easier it made that job after I got one. Use a chisel bit to remove the top, then use a punch bit to push it through. If you plan on doing much of your own work, a compressor is well worth the money spent.