Upper ball joints and center link needs replacement?

[chgoguy74]

I figure I'll tackle this myself, since the labor alone is gonna run me $250... I took it to NTB to have a flat fixed and they gave me a free alignment check... they said I have "play in my upper ball joints and center link". I'm familiar with the upper BJ's (that sounds dirty), but do I replace, or adjust the center link?

Any hints, or areas of concern I should watch out for before I start? I had my passenger side done, and the guy took off the whole A arm, but it doesnt seem like it was necessary....

Any help is greatly appreciated...

[83T/A98Blazer]

Not that bad of a job. If the ball joints have never been replaced, it's a little harder. They're held in by rivets and you have to cut, chisel, or drill them out. I use an air chisel and they come off relatively easy. You will need to take the axle nut off and push the axle in far enough so the joint clears the control arm, you do not need to remove the control arm. The center link has no adjustment, replace it. You will need a separator/fork (you may need that for the ball joints also). Take the nuts off the inner tie rods, pitman arm, and idler arm. Use the fork to separate the joints. Install the new link, place the tie rods and arms back in the holes, tighten the nuts and install new cotter pins. Take note of the way the old ball joints are placed before removing them, then you should have no problem installing the new ones in the same position.

[blazee]

It would be a good idea to check everything out, before buying the parts and replacing them. A lot of those "free alignment" offers are scams that draw you in so that they can do unnecessary repairs.

[DRGREENTHUMB1001]

What is the Center Link? I recently replaced the upper and lower ball joints on the passenger side of my Blazer. That was a year after a paid a mechanic to do them, plus replace my idler arm. Unfortunately he had me buy cheap parts, and a year later I was replacing them, this time by myself. So get good quality parts so you don't have to do it again. Getting that fork tool to pop out the ball joints is a must. Which is the only thing I would get from Auot Z**e

[Fractured1]

I'm not sure if it's a good idea usinsing a fork to remove all the linkage, they have a way of tearing up the grease boots, I would go to autozone and rent the correct press to remove the tie rod ends so you dont end up needing to replace them also. The fork works great for the ball joint though..

[2kTrailBlazer]

Hey just a heads up , on my 2000 blazer i had crush nuts on the inner tie-rods..Comming off they r not too bad. but when you go to put them back on the tie-rod stud may just spin... little tip if you have the crush nuts apply pressure to the tie-rod. Some guys stick the pickle fork in there i dont like it bc it can rip the boot. so...once you have the stud thru the center link (easier if you disconnect outer tie rod from spindle) hold the outer and sleve in your hand apply presure twoards the front of the vehicle so it tightens up on the stud and the nut should tighten up... you may need air tools, i used an electric impact gun that works too.