Lower Ball Joint Install

[cal67ss396]

Can anyone tell me how to properly install the lower ball joint on my Chevelle. I just can't get them to seat completely I tried a big c clamp to press them in so to speak.....should they be this hard to put in. I put them in the freezer hoping they will shrink enough for me to just slide them in tomorrow morning but not sure if that will work. Anyone got any other ideas or knowledge?

[TheSilverBuick]

Re: Lower Ball Joint Install

2x4 and a big hammer?

[fabricatordave]

Re: Lower Ball Joint Install

yes they should be hard to put in a ball joint press makes the job easy it is like an over built c clamp
should be able to rent one at autozone or advance

like this

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38335

[TC]

Re: Lower Ball Joint Install

yes they should be hard to put in a ball joint press makes the job easy it is like an over built c clamp
should be able to rent one at autozone or advance

like this

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38335

Yes what the man said, you won't believe your eyes in how easy it is. And the nice thing about the clamp is you can use it while the A-arm is still in the car. Easy times with that tool. ;)

[DanStokes]

Re: Lower Ball Joint Install

Cal - I'd lend you mine if you didn't live as far away from me as you can get and still be in the Continental US - hey, yer smarter than I thought. Finest Harbor Freight Asian iron - stout but HEAVY. Or you can rent one for free from Auto Zone, etc. They work great, as mentioned.

Dan

[SuperBuickGuy]

Re: Lower Ball Joint Install

I carefully installed them with the appropriate BFH and block of wood..... seated just fine TYVM. ;D

[yellomalibu]

Re: Lower Ball Joint Install

This is what I used last time I did it:




...I think the hand held one would be cheaper to buy if you don't know anyone to borrow one from. Like they mentioned, it's pretty handy to not have to remove the control arm from the car if you don't need to.

[SuperBuickGuy]

Re: Lower Ball Joint Install

This is what I used last time I did it:




...I think the hand held one would be cheaper to buy if you don't know anyone to borrow one from. Like they mentioned, it's pretty handy to not have to remove the control arm from the car if you don't need to.

Oh sure, anyone can to it the right way ;D

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Lower Ball Joint Install

I rent and sometimes buy tools from Autozone. When I decide to buy, I always just keep the rental version because they come with a nice carry case. The stuff you buy off the shelf just has a crappy wrapper.

[fahrenschnell]

Re: Lower Ball Joint Install

I just did them on my chevelle.....get the tool. It is the only way to do them properly on the car.

Seth

[TheSilverBuick]

Re: Lower Ball Joint Install

I rent and sometimes buy tools from Autozone. When I decide to buy, I always just keep the rental version because they come with a nice carry case. The stuff you buy off the shelf just has a crappy wrapper.

When I worked at autozone I "sold" rental tools that very way for not only the same reason, but in some cases the rental's are of higher quality than the ones on the shelf at the same price. After a couple weeks a new one would show up.

[TC]

Re: Lower Ball Joint Install

I rent and sometimes buy tools from Autozone. When I decide to buy, I always just keep the rental version because they come with a nice carry case. The stuff you buy off the shelf just has a crappy wrapper.

When I worked at autozone I "sold" rental tools that very way for not only the same reason, but in some cases the rental's are of higher quality than the ones on the shelf at the same price. After a couple weeks a new one would show up.

Yap that's how I got my coil spring compressor, you know the kind that goes up the middle of the spring. I went to rent it at Autozone and the guy said there was a $20 deposit, I said what happens if I don't return it, he said they keep my 20 bucks. So I got a nice almost new spring compressor way cheaper than what it costs.