Ball Joints

[yellow77]

I am going to be buying the steeroids rack and pinion system, and when I do that, I will be replacing the ball joints. I have replaced ball joints on several different cars, but never on a vette. Any comments, advice, things to look out for greatly appreciated. Also, thinking about replacing the control arm bushings, and would like to know what is involved.

Cheers All

Richard

 

[tomtom72]

Hi Richard, I don't know if this info will help? I had a 72 and I think the suspension is basically the same. My ball joints were riveited to the A-arms. I just drilled out the riveits, and the new ones came with nuts & bolts. I was very wary of taking the A's out of the car, not having a spring compressor. I cheated, once I got all four out I drilled out the riveits and then went to a local front end shop and paid them to R&R the cross shafts and bushings. I know that's cheating, but I did not have any of the special tools listed in the shop manuals. I just felt it was cheaper to pay the local guys as I was bringing the car to them to do the alignment after I got the suspension sorted out. The only negative is finding a shop you can trust, and one that would be willing to use your parts and just do the labor to put'em in. tt72

 

[TWINRAY]

I am going to be buying the steeroids rack and pinion system, and when I do that, I will be replacing the ball joints. I have replaced ball joints on several different cars, but never on a vette. Any comments, advice, things to look out for greatly appreciated. Also, thinking about replacing the control arm bushings, and would like to know what is involved.

Cheers All

Richard

You'll be asking yourself, are these fkrs welded in as you're hammering on them with the pickle fork - especially the lowers? Don't dispare, they will eventially break loose.

 

[norvalwilhelm]

When breaking the joint loose leave the srping alone. Just jack the car up,let the wheel hang down, loosen the upper ball joint nut off about 1/4inch and use a pickle fork. The combination of spring and pickle fork will pop it off.