98 Deville greaseless ball joints, noise??

[dhspring]

My 98 Deville has a irritating noise in the left side suspension, I think it might be that danged greaseless lower ball joint. Whenever I go over a raised surface like a speed bump in the parking garage, I hear a grinding or noise like something is binding, rubber on steel or something like that. I have sprayed all the rubber bushings on the control arms with silicon, and all the parts that have movement and rubber attached, but the ball joint is non greasable, and maybe that's it. Why do they use greaseless fittings anyway? To save maintenance? I had a Cutlass with those things and I prefer the ball joints with grease zerts so you can lube them. Is there any way to get some grease in the ball joints on these cars?

Thanks

[JustRainMan]

The only correct way to solve your problem is to replace the ball joint. I can't stand those greaseless ball joints either. That could also possibly be the original one that came with the car. "replace it"

[dhspring]

I know for a fact the ball joints are the original because my Dad bought the car new. I've never replaced a ball joint before, is that a Sunday afternoon job? Or one that requires a bunch of special tools? I'm pretty sure they are riveted in and will have to be cut out and the new ones bolted in. I can live with the noise and the handling is fine, I'm not going to do a bunch of work unless it's really necessary. Guess I need to check my repair book and see how much work is involved. The car only has 99k miles, I wouldn't think the ball joints are shot just yet.

[caddydaddy]

I recently replaced the ball joint on my '94 Deville, which is the same chassis. It's a pretty involved job. I ground the rivets off with a grinder, then the new ball joint just bolts in.

[dhspring]

Caddy Daddy, why did you replace your ball joints? Were they making the grinding noise or was the steering being affected or what? How "involved" is changing the joints out, other than grinding the rivets off?

Thanks!