Front end lower ball joints

[Absolut Talent]

Just curious, but how difficult it is to replace the front lower ball joints on a 1996 blazer?

Anything special that needs to be done?
And could someone recommend a place (either online or shop) to buy new ones if I can replace them myself?



Local mechanic told me both needed to be replaced and gave me a quote of about 440. Since work is slow right now, I have been temparaily laid off. So any money I could save on this (hence doing it myself) would be nice.

[mrfirebird]

i think with the lowers you have to have 2 tools ,
1 that presses out the joint and 1 that presses in the joint,
i think autozone will loan these tools out if you buy the parts there. about $25.00 apiece for joints,i think.

[ricksza]

If it's 2 wheel drive, they're pressed in.

If it's 4X4 they have rivets holding them in and the steering knuckle will have to removed for access.

[Absolut Talent]

yeah, its a 4x4.

So I would need new rivets and a riveter for putting the new ones on? (sorry, when I hear rivets, I think of the little white ones I use when putting together suspended ceilings. Once they are taken out, they need new ones)

I am somewhat techinically inclined...but is this seriously something I should have a mechanic do?

[04 blazer]

Originally Posted by Absolut Talent

yeah, its a 4x4.

So I would need new rivets and a riveter for putting the new ones on? (sorry, when I hear rivets, I think of the little white ones I use when putting together suspended ceilings. Once they are taken out, they need new ones)

I am somewhat techinically inclined...but is this seriously something I should have a mechanic do?

The new ball joints will come with bolts to replace the rivets. You drill out the rivets on the old ones. The hardest part will be getting the steering knuckle off. If you are going to replace all four ball joints, you can break them loose from the steering knuckle with a pickle fork. However, if you want to save the top ones a special tool is required to keep from damaging the upper joints.

[ricksza]

The rivets are not like the 1/8" for your ceiling tiles, they are 1/4" steel. Some people use a hammer and chisel to cut them off. You will need a jack and jackstands to do the job safely.
You will need another tool which you may not have; socket for the front hub to axle shaft nut.

[rlith]

36mm deepwell for the hubnut... You can use a dremmel or a grinder if you have access to make it easier to get off.

[chcknugget]

So is this the complete toollist for a 4x4?

-36mm deepwell socket and torque wrench for hub
-hammer and chisel/ dremel/ grinder/ drill for removing rivets
-ball joint press
-picklefork for seperating joint from steering knuckle

any more?

[rlith]

Originally Posted by chcknugget

So is this the complete toollist for a 4x4?

-36mm deepwell socket and torque wrench for hub
-hammer and chisel/ dremel/ grinder/ drill for removing rivets
-ball joint press
-picklefork for seperating joint from steering knuckle

any more?

For a 4x4 you don't need the ball joint press, and add 7/8th and 11/16th box wrenches, and to your list as well as a pair of needle nose pliers....