What is this and is it bad?

[Paul Higg]

 

[gmjunkie]

Looks like a Lower Ball Joint to me!! I can't tell if it's loose without Hands On checking it but the boot Looks Really good for a 14 year old car with 90,000 + miles on it!! Might have been replaced sometime!!

 

[JimBobC4]

I would jack the car up and get the front tire off the ground. Try and move the tire in and out from top to bottom.

An alternative method is to jack the car up and have someone
pry upward ( ground to tire ) and you watch for any movement
in the joint.

If its loose, most of time you can feel a little play at the bottom of the tire. I can tell you I have about 87k on mine and the ball joints are tight.

The tie rod ends .. well thats another story :eyerole

 

[Paul Higg]

Okay, so THAT'S the lower ball joint. Then I had it replaced within the last 2000 miles. I was just wondering if the rubber looked too squished.

Thanks.

Now check out on of the tie rods. I am ordering some next week.

 

[Paul Higg]

 

[gmjunkie]

Well the Boot is Shot!!I think it's time!!

 

[Paul Higg]

Could it have caused any damage? And would there be anything noticeable while driving?

 

[killain]

Could it have caused any damage? And would there be anything noticeable while driving?

OH Yeah, if the tie rod end comes apart then there's trouble. It looks kinda dry to me, but you can jack the car up and shake the wheel back and forth and see if the tie rod end is loose.

 

[Paul Higg]

Well the Boot is Shot!!I think it's time!!

Junk, now I know this is asking a LOT, but would it be possible to send me photos of the following items?

The front and rear control arm BUSHINGS, rack and pinion BUSHINGS, rear strut rod BUSHINGS, differential carrier BUSHINGS.

The FSM is lacking BIG TIME in this area. I looked in steering, suspension, you name it. I found the tie rod replacement but not those listed above. That is why I sent the photos.

Please tell me what this is will you? I am sending another photo in another post.

Thanks Junk.

Paul

 

[Paul Higg]

What is this called and is it hard to replace the bushing?

 

[gmjunkie]

Junk, now I know this is asking a LOT, but would it be possible to send me photos of the following items?

The front and rear control arm BUSHINGS, rack and pinion BUSHINGS, rear strut rod BUSHINGS, differential carrier BUSHINGS.

The FSM is lacking BIG TIME in this area. I looked in steering, suspension, you name it. I found the tie rod replacement but not those listed above. That is why I sent the photos.

Please tell me what this is will you? I am sending another photo in another post.

Thanks Junk.

Paul

No problem Paul,But I'll have to be sober to do it!! The photo is the outer link to the stabilizer Bar,the bushings usually aren't bad to change!! There are 2 other bushings at the frame hanger,there easy!!Sorry I'm in incapacitated at the time!!I got busted for PUI (Posting Under the Influence!!) a couple years back,so I'll keep quiet for now!!!I'll see what photos I have or get into the GM Parts and Illustration catalog in the morning when my head quits hurting!!It's been a rough week,So I have scheduled my yearly Drunk!!

 

[Paul Higg]

HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAA

Well deserved Junk.

Thanks, you have no idea how much I appreciate this.

 

[So Bay Vetter]

What is this called and is it hard to replace the bushing?

It's the end link on the front sway bar. The bushings in the sway bar are not hard to replace but the bolt holes in the end links wear into an oval due to bolt threads rubbing on them, causing a noticeable "clunk" in the front suspension. If that's what's going on I have pic's of the fix for it.

 

[Paul Higg]

Please send them to pjhigg@comcast.net or post them? I would really appreciate it.


Paul

 

[So Bay Vetter]

Image “A” is the end link with the original bolt. The threads act as a file; elongating the bolt hole (“B”).
Image “C” shows the original bolt (bottom) the longer, replacement bolt (center; note the extra shaft length between bolt head and beginning of threads) and the excess thread removed with a cut off wheel (top). This is easier to do after bolted in place on the car.
Image”D” represents the new end link (they’re a cheap buy) with new bolt and washer. Longer bolt puts threads outside end link.

 

[Paul Higg]

Thank you, that was most appreciated.

Paul