95 Chevy 1500 (Replacing Balljoints)

Hello,

I own a 95 chevy p/u, 350/5.7L and i'm replacing the balljoints but i've run into a problem. i don't know how to remove the big balljoint in the lower control arm. I bought a balljoint puller which worked for the smaller joints but not for the big balljoint. i tried using the balljoint puller but i couldn't get it to line up because the screw on the puller is to long. is there some kind of tool that can be used to remove it? I am really trying to avoid compressing the spring and removing the whole lower control arm and taking it somewhere to get it removed.

I usually support the lower control arm with a floor jack or jack stand and hit the ball joint from the top side with a dead blow hammer. It is pressed in and it will take some good wacks to get it out.

It would still be a good idea to use a spring compressor on the coil spring when you reinstall the lower control arm.

//2000CAYukon

you know i attempted to hammer it out and i stopped, but i will try it again tomorrow. thanks for the response.

PS,

will some kind of C-clamp work?

Since it is pressed in, a C clamp will not provide even pressure to get the ball joint out. Don't be afraid to really hit it hard. I use a 32 oz dead blow when I work on front end parts. Take out some agression on them.

//2000CAYukon

LOL!!!! thanks Yukon. I do have some built up aggression because it really kicked my you know what...

They do make Ball joint presses that will do the job.
Some parts places loan or rent them.
But as Yukon said a big or bigger hammer will do it.
To add I always support the lower control arm with a jack stand and put a little weight on it to make it solid.
MT

one last question, will the lower balljoint snap into place when i tighten it or do i need to knock it in place?

If the hammer doesn't work, and you can't get a free loan on a ball joint press, you can use a C clamp if you have a large sturdy one. On the top side of the joint place a socket that is deeper than the stud is long but smaller than the diameter of the ball joint, on the bottom you will need a shallow socket that is a larger diameter than the joint, then use the clamp to push the joint out. If you have a weak clamp the clamp will brake though. I bought a cheap ball joint press for 40.00 and it works great. You can also use them for changing u-joints.

one last question, will the lower balljoint snap into place when i tighten it or do i need to knock it in place?

No they do not jump back in.
They should be pressed back in.
Best to get a press to put it back in if you can.

But again in a pinch you can find a big socket to fit the bottom of ball joint and lower socket and ball joint on a jack stand and hammer the top of A frame down while keeping weight on bottom of ball joint.
Good Luck
MT

thanks a lot everybody for the quick responses. I appreciate them greatly.

You are welcome.
And let us know how it goes.
When you are hammering away on it and miss a lick or hit a finger just think of all the money you are saving doing it yourself.
Good Luck
MT

Ouch!!!!

It's been a while but I just want to let everybody know that the operation was a success. Thanks for all the input.

You are welcome.
And thanks for posting back how it went.
Good luck
MT