?? Difficulty Level of Replacing Ball Joint? '95 Transport

[yellowfiero]

The one that I want to replace is OEM, so it is riveted in. Anyone do this care to offer some advice?

What tools will I need? I do have an air compressor and air hammer/chisel.

Do I have to worry about the spring? Thanks.

[ltbuick]

you will have to get some sharp drill bits to drill up the center of the rivets than you can pop head of rivet off and use a punch to drive the rest of the rivet up. i had a hard time getting my front sway bar loose and put back on. when drilling make sure you don't drill up through your halfshaft. all the spring pressure is on strut so you don't have to worry about that.

[yellowfiero]

Originally Posted by ltbuick

you will have to get some sharp drill bits to drill up the center of the rivets than you can pop head of rivet off and use a punch to drive the rest of the rivet up. i had a hard time getting my front sway bar loose and put back on. when drilling make sure you don't drill up through your halfshaft. all the spring pressure is on strut so you don't have to worry about that.

Were all the rivets accessible by the drill?

[yellowfiero]

Originally Posted by ltbuick

you will have to get some sharp drill bits to drill up the center of the rivets than you can pop head of rivet off and use a punch to drive the rest of the rivet up. i had a hard time getting my front sway bar loose and put back on. when drilling make sure you don't drill up through your halfshaft. all the spring pressure is on strut so you don't have to worry about that.

Okay, I did it this morning....

Everything went smoothly, drilled out the rivets, popped them out etc.

I used a crow-bar to get the top of the ball joint (bolt) to drop out of where it attaches to the knuckle.

The greatest difficulty I had was when getting the new one in. I had a hell of a time getting the new ball joint to seat properly and align properly. Is there a trick to this that I missed? I ended up using my jack and a large socket to press the lower control arm up and just get the three new bolts to show enough thread to start to put the nuts on. I ended up pinching the rubber boot some, which was frustrating.

I eased the nuts on sequentially, until it looked good. I was really getting psyched when the old one came off so well.......

Now tell me I missed an easy way to get that bugger on!

[GregA]

The "easy way" is to pay someone else to do it. But what would be the fun in that?

Good Going and try to enjoy the rest of your long weekend!

Take Care,

[theclarks1]

Originally Posted by yellowfiero

Okay, I did it this morning....

Everything went smoothly, drilled out the rivets, popped them out etc.

I used a crow-bar to get the top of the ball joint (bolt) to drop out of where it attaches to the knuckle.

The greatest difficulty I had was when getting the new one in. I had a hell of a time getting the new ball joint to seat properly and align properly. Is there a trick to this that I missed? I ended up using my jack and a large socket to press the lower control arm up and just get the three new bolts to show enough thread to start to put the nuts on. I ended up pinching the rubber boot some, which was frustrating.

I eased the nuts on sequentially, until it looked good. I was really getting psyched when the old one came off so well.......

Now tell me I missed an easy way to get that bugger on!

I had a little trouble with it but it really wasnt as bad as what you have had. The boot you really have to watch, its easy to pinch. One good thing that I have found to be very helpful is a haynes manual. It really gives some good tips. Mine has right at 200,000 on it and its a 3800. We have been really pleased with the service that it has given us. Now Im having some trouble with the power windows on both sides, the one will roll down ok but going up it will go up some, then I have to wait about 5 minutes and it just keeps up that way till it finally goes up. The pass side goes up and down ok, but sometimes will sneak down. I have also had to replace the coil pak between 2 and 5 i believe was the one. Anyone ever seen how much of a blue streak those put out???? Man its awesome. You know when they are going out. All in all its been an awesome van..knock on wood......