Reaplcing Ball Joints
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Reaplcing Ball Joints - 9/5/2006 12:10:54 PM
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88s10Blazer
Posts: 442
Joined: 4/18/2006
From: Green Bay, WI
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I took the blazer into the shop today and he said the right ball joints were totally shot. How critical are these to replace? What do they do excatly? I know their pretty cheap, but I don't have to extra money right this second... thanks in advance.
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1988 S-10 Blazer Currently in Progress
2-door
3" body lift
31" pro comp mud terrains
K&N
31" GlassPack
28k on rebuilt 4.3
sony 6x9's and 4x6's
2000 Dodge Ram 1500- Daily Driver
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RE: Reaplcing Ball Joints - 9/5/2006 12:36:10 PM
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swartlkk
Posts: 14528
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
Status: online
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The ball joints basically hold the wheel on... They are the connection between the upper/lower A-arms and the steering knuckle. If/When one of those lets go, you are looking at some pretty serious damage to the rest of the truck.
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Kyle-
04 Rainier
My Restoration Projects
Please Do Not PM for Tech Help
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RE: Reaplcing Ball Joints - 9/5/2006 2:15:37 PM
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20Blazer00
Posts: 862
Joined: 9/16/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 88s10Blazer
I took the blazer into the shop today and he said the right ball joints were totally shot. How critical are these to replace? What do they do excatly? I know their pretty cheap, but I don't have to extra money right this second... thanks in advance.
Since this is an older truck have they been replaced by a previous owner??? Do the current ball joints use bolts or rivets to hold them to the control arms. If bolts then you will have an easier time to replace than if they were rivots.
If so then they are fairly easy to replace. Just have to follow some safety procedures. Also does your front suspension use coil springs, I am guessing it does.. so it will require some knowledge of how to handle them....but not hard to figure out just need to be safe about this....
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Mark
2000 Blazer LS 4dr 4.3L Auto
1999 Grand Am 3.4L 4dr SE2 - Traded
2000 Honda Odyssey 3.5L 5dr Mini-Van
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RE: Reaplcing Ball Joints - 9/5/2006 2:55:20 PM
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swartlkk
Posts: 14528
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
Status: online
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Be careful with the torch... Do NOT cut the control arm. So many times I have seen someone replacing balljoints where the person before them used a torch... I personally feel that a drill or air chisel work better than a torch.
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Kyle-
04 Rainier
My Restoration Projects
Please Do Not PM for Tech Help
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RE: Reaplcing Ball Joints - 9/5/2006 8:19:25 PM
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jaye626
Posts: 3
Joined: 9/5/2006
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Seems like my same question. I had it in the shop for a very loud lower ball joint last week. they greased it and sent me on my way. In one day I heard the loud ball joint again on a bumpy road.so it goes in tomorrow for a replacement. I guess they didn't feel it was real bad ? I didn't pay for the greasing but still if it's that serious I need to find a new shop. It is at the dealer I purchased the 00 from.Guess I'll go slow tonight till they fix er tomorrow.
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LuvMy00Blazer
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RE: Reaplcing Ball Joints - 9/5/2006 10:04:06 PM
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20Blazer00
Posts: 862
Joined: 9/16/2005
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I agree with Kyle, and the GM service procedure is to use an 1/8" drill bit to drill a pilot hole then follow with a 1/2" drill to take off the top of the rivot. Then use a drift punch to drive out the body of the rivot from the control arm.
The torch might seem quicker but it can also make things worse quicker too. The ball joint replacements use a specific size(diameter) bolt to fit the hole in the control arm, the torch could heat things up so much that that diameter is to big and the heat may also weaken the control arm there and eventually snap when you least expect it.
Also replace ball joints in pairs, both lowers or both uppers and if you have to replace one side then replace both...because if you just replace one the other will fail soon after.... why not fix it right the first time. Ball joints are less expensive than the insurance deductible or a stay in the hospital...
Good luck I did mine in about 4hrs but that was taking a break after pounding on the rivots that were rusted from the factory original ball joints.
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Mark
2000 Blazer LS 4dr 4.3L Auto
1999 Grand Am 3.4L 4dr SE2 - Traded
2000 Honda Odyssey 3.5L 5dr Mini-Van
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RE: Reaplcing Ball Joints - 9/5/2006 10:39:03 PM
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20Blazer00
Posts: 862
Joined: 9/16/2005
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Well it sounds like you have a 2WD, mine was a 2000 4WD that requires that you remove the half shaft to get at the bolt for the bottom ball joint, and there is a big 36mm nut to take off and pull the axles out of the front hub...
But it just takes persistance and a bigger hammer than the part you are working on...
Good Luck...
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Mark
2000 Blazer LS 4dr 4.3L Auto
1999 Grand Am 3.4L 4dr SE2 - Traded
2000 Honda Odyssey 3.5L 5dr Mini-Van
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RE: Reaplcing Ball Joints - 9/6/2006 12:28:21 AM
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Hanr3
Wheels & Tire Moderator
Posts: 3482
Joined: 5/11/2005
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Big hammer and cold chisel. Build them muscles and wear glooves. I have missed before, it makes you gun shy the next time.
Did you get r done?
Ya know, since you removed the tierod end, its not much more for a new one. Since you need to get an alignment now that you removed the tierod ends, you might as well replace both of them, plus the idler. About the only thing left is new shocks, unit bearings, caliper, brake hose, rotor, and new brake pads. You got it all apart anyways. What's another couple hundred bucks?
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"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The Marines don't have that problem."
-President Ronald Reagan
'87 S10-Blazer - SOLD
'93 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - Sons DD, engine swap is done.
'00 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - My
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RE: Reaplcing Ball Joints - 9/6/2006 6:24:50 PM
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mandi
Posts: 38
Joined: 5/3/2006
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AWSOME! The pics look like mine did 2 years ago. Finally I know im not the only one whos had the ball showing from where it shouldnt be. Now out of curiosity when should they be changed again?
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1998 Chevy Blazer, manual, 2 door
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RE: Reaplcing Ball Joints - 9/6/2006 8:44:41 PM
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Aquahallic
Posts: 130
Joined: 7/25/2006
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what all on a 95 blazer has to come off to do the uppers and lowers??? lookin' at alldata it doesn't show anything else comin' off but the ball joints themselves??
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Aqua
95 Blazer LT 4WD
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RE: Reaplcing Ball Joints - 9/6/2006 9:03:45 PM
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DetroitMuscle
Posts: 829
Joined: 2/22/2006
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Im in the same boat, 92 4x4 bad ball joints BUT How long has it made noise? they will last a while making noise like clicks and crap but get em done fast, I was quoted $550. for new uppers and lowers with an alignment.
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RE: Reaplcing Ball Joints - 9/6/2006 9:19:43 PM
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mandi
Posts: 38
Joined: 5/3/2006
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How do you know if they are STARTING to go bad? I know what the end result is with them being so beat up. My question is...Should they be replaced every year? Every 6 years? Or are they something you change out even if they ARENT bad?
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1998 Chevy Blazer, manual, 2 door
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RE: Reaplcing Ball Joints - 9/6/2006 10:51:57 PM
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Hanr3
Wheels & Tire Moderator
Posts: 3482
Joined: 5/11/2005
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First off.
NEVER and I MEAN NEVER, EVER, WORK UNDER A VEHICLE ON A JACK!!!!!!!!!!!
I see a jack stand in the 1st pic, NOT IN USE. Only takes one little slip and that truck would have fallen on someones head. That would have been a prime Darwin award winner. Please tell me the another jack stand was in use just of out the pic.
To answer the repeated question.
How to tell when a ball joint goes bad??
Simple, jack the front end off the ground and place it on JACK STANDS!!!!
Grab the wheel in the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions, now rock it up and down lightly, is it loose?
Now grab it in the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions and rock it side to side, is it loose?
Up and down loose is typically bearings.
Side to side loose is typically ball joints, or tierod ends. To verify which you have to crawl under the truck (it is on jack stands right?)and look at the ball joints while someone else rocks it side to side, it will be obvious if the ball joint is loose, or if the tierod end is loose.
_____________________________
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The Marines don't have that problem."
-President Ronald Reagan
'87 S10-Blazer - SOLD
'93 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - Sons DD, engine swap is done.
'00 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - My
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