how do the ball joints remove?
 

My control arm bushings are in dire need of replacement, and I can clearly see the upper ball joints are riveted in, but are the lower ball joints pressed in or do they bolt in? Just want to know so I can replace everything while I have it all apart.

Thanks!

RE: how do the ball joints remove?
 

The lower ball joints are bolted to the A-arm but you will have to use a pickle fork to separate it from the steering knuckle. Of course before you'll need to remove the spring. Be very, very careful in doing that and use a good spring compressor. BTW the control arm bushings are a real PITA to replace.

RE: how do the ball joints remove?
 

What isn't a PITA to replace on a C-3, PG.

RE: how do the ball joints remove?
 

The gas cap and the radiator cap.

Other than that everything else is a PITA and needs to be done more than once to get it done correctly.

[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

RE: how do the ball joints remove?
 

Let's not forget the cig lighter. :D

RE: how do the ball joints remove?
 

You guys make me laugh!

At GM the ball joints were held by rivets, you can just use the new bolts that come with the new ball joints, I think that you have to remove the rubber boots, install the ball joints from the top and than replace the boots from the bottom, anyone else confirm that? PG.

RE: how do the ball joints remove?
 

Without going out and looking, I think the boots go on the threaded end before you put it in the steering knuckle.

RE: how do the ball joints remove?
 

Seems like when I tried to put the ball joint into the hole the rubber hit first and thats why I pulled the boot off, installed the ball joint and than put the boot on the threaded end but that was years ago and after Woodstock I can hardly remember anything. PG.

RE: how do the ball joints remove?
 

I hear ya. For me it was too much 1492 (couldn't afford Wild Turkey) in college. ;)

OK, I went out and looked and the boot goes on the ball joint stud and then the stud goes thru the steering knuckle. I thought this was correct cuz when you use a pickle fork to separate the stud from the knuckle, it usually destroys the boot. [:@]

RE: how do the ball joints remove?
 

I really don't want to do all that stuff myself, so I am going to shop around and see what it will cost for me to get someone to do it, they usually call me Clayton "It ain't fixed 'til it snaps" Davis so I will only crawl under there if I can't get a reasonable price.