1999 Suburban - Front End Alignment

[GaOkie]

1999 Suburban 4x4 190K

My wife took her Suburban to the service center. Service department says she needs (part/labor):

Left lower ball joint - $74.95, install $160.00
Idler Arm - $84.95, install $40.00
Pitman Arm -$124.95, install $160.00
With alignment $701.79 wow!

Parts from:
RockAuto - less than $40.00
AutoZone - less than $70.00

Looks like I'm doing this one!

My Question(s)

How can you tell this stuff really needs changing?

Jacked vehicle crawled under and pulled pushed around and the only thing I could really see moving in a way that might be incorrect was the ball Joints on either end of the "Center link" (based on picture at AutoZone.com term may be incorrect) connection between pitman and Idler arm. The ball joints on either end of this seem to have some play.

I'd like to get this done tomorrow if this a one day job or do I need 2 days just in case?

While I'm changing I'd like to get it done right but by all the fun the pitman and idler arm appear and from the fun spoke about here in the forum I'd rather not have to change them if its really not necessary.

Thanks

[rhandwor]

Some of the ball joints are riveted in I use a small side angle grinder. I grind the head off against the ball joint then use a punch to drive the rivet. I usually use a hammer and smack the arm the bolt goes through and it pops out. A lot of people use a pickle fork.
Get a alignment when done.

[GaOkie]

The fun has begun but I’m not having any yet!

Have unbolted the upper and lower ball joint but the assembly will not release. Any suggestions?

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by GaOkie

The fun has begun but I’m not having any yet!

Have unbolted the upper and lower ball joint but the assembly will not release. Any suggestions?

Big or bigger hammer.
Tap ball joint stud on side of spindel where stud goes threw it.

Or a ball joint/tie rod end pickle fork

But make sure you support the lower control arm at outer end or you may lose some fingers.

[GaOkie]

Ok pivot arm installed also change out pivot arm assembly bracket (might not have if I'd know about the Allen fitting at the end of the stud to hold stud while tightening). But now we don’t have to worry about that either!

Ball joints da?n!!!

When you say get a bigger hammer were you talking about a jackhammer? I think I'll need one.

Start again next weekend.

[GaOkie]

MT-2500 you were right a bigger hammer was required thanks.

Went ahead and changed out the upper ball joint. Pretty easy definitely would do it again if needed.

In my opinion the lower ball joint is for serious Weekend Warriors Only.

Using a manual press ("C" clamp type) I was able to press the ball joint out. After that I suggest checking the diameter of the ball joint removed compared to the one purchased. Auto parts stored gave me the wrong one. Its bad enough to install so make sure it’s the right one. Putting the new one in WOW. Check to make sure your pressing the ball joint in straight through out the installation process. I had to make several adjustments through out the install using MT-2500 suggestion of a bigger hammer. Thanks again!

Don’t think I’ll do this one again.

Thanks the help

[MT-2500]

You are welcome.
Yes the hammer and the bigger hammer is one of the main tools on front end work.