Lower ball joint install - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

SeanB242 · 05-13-2018, 01:38 PM

Just curious if you guys press them in or will tightening the nut onto the spindle press it in? What method do you guys use. Thanks

Mike C · 05-13-2018, 01:44 PM

If you want to own tools like I do, buy a Harbor Freight balljoint press. If you just need to Git-R-Done, rent one from the parts store you buy the balljoints from. A lot of them loan the tools, you just leave a deposit.

**HO455** · 05-13-2018, 01:49 PM

Always pressed mine in. The other way I have never heard of. You would have to fabricate some kind of spacer to fit between the bottom of the spindle and over the top of the ball joint. Tighten it down then remove the spacer and assemble the boot on the ball joint. It seems like a bunch of extra work to me. But others may have tried it.

CastIron · 05-13-2018, 02:24 PM

I use an OTC 7249 ball joint press. It also works well on U-joints. And they are only about $105 online. Not a bad price for a made in the USA tool. They are very good quality.

demian5 · 05-14-2018, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanb242

just curious if you guys press them in or will tightening the nut onto the spindle press it in? What method do you guys use. Thanks

Must use a press to do it correctly and safely.

**hewittca** · 05-14-2018, 02:37 PM

I just did mine with the rental tool from the local parts store. I can't imagine any way in which tightening down the ball joint nut on the spindle would pull the balljoint into place.

Bigdav160 · 05-14-2018, 04:40 PM

I have a Snap On BJP1 but I am a tool junkie.

Trying to pull the joint in with the nut will be a disaster.

**Wrenchbender Ret** · 05-14-2018, 05:22 PM

If you have the lower control arm off, you can use a regular bearing press.

demian5 · 05-14-2018, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrenchbender Ret

If you have the lower control arm off, you can use a regular bearing press.

Smarty pants...

phat69 · 05-15-2018, 10:14 AM

place the lower ball joint in its hole and lift the weight of the truck with the jack on the ball joint. The take your BFH and hit the control arm until it is seated.

davepl · 05-15-2018, 10:29 AM

I was having some trouble with mine, kept slipping on the press, so I took them to a trusted ancient mechanic who has every tool, device, and press known to man. He actually has a lighted SnapOn display cabinet they gave him with pullers and presses.

He promptly took a big f'n hammer and whacked it 3 times and it was in. Protect the bolt, that's all I remember!

I actually have a ball joint press and I know he has the same one, but the hammer seems to work for the lowers especially well.

Rufas · 05-15-2018, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davepl

I was having some trouble with mine, kept slipping on the press, so I took them to a trusted ancient mechanic who has every tool, device, and press known to man. He actually has a lighted SnapOn display cabinet they gave him with pullers and presses.

He promptly took a big f'n hammer and whacked it 3 times and it was in. Protect the bolt, that's all I remember!

I actually have a ball joint press and I know he has the same one, but the hammer seems to work for the lowers especially well.

Ah the 'old big f'n hammer'. Gota love em.

05-13-2018, 01:38 PM	#1
SeanB242 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Bonne Terre MO Posts: 192	Lower ball joint install Just curious if you guys press them in or will tightening the nut onto the spindle press it in? What method do you guys use. Thanks

05-13-2018, 01:44 PM	#2
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,709	Re: Lower ball joint install If you want to own tools like I do, buy a Harbor Freight balljoint press. If you just need to Git-R-Done, rent one from the parts store you buy the balljoints from. A lot of them loan the tools, you just leave a deposit. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

05-13-2018, 01:49 PM	#3
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 10,783	Re: Lower ball joint install Always pressed mine in. The other way I have never heard of. You would have to fabricate some kind of spacer to fit between the bottom of the spindle and over the top of the ball joint. Tighten it down then remove the spacer and assemble the boot on the ball joint. It seems like a bunch of extra work to me. But others may have tried it. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban the WMB,1991 S(stink)-10 Blazer,1969 GTO, 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird. 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

05-13-2018, 02:24 PM	#4
CastIron Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Oregon Posts: 326	Re: Lower ball joint install I use an OTC 7249 ball joint press. It also works well on U-joints. And they are only about $105 online. Not a bad price for a made in the USA tool. They are very good quality.

05-14-2018, 02:37 PM	#6
hewittca Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Mocksville, NC Posts: 1,723	Re: Lower ball joint install I just did mine with the rental tool from the local parts store. I can't imagine any way in which tightening down the ball joint nut on the spindle would pull the balljoint into place. __________________ Builds: Green Gus the 68 C10 ; Sullii the 72 1500 - Instagram: @dr.hewitt - C10 Concept/Development Photos: Master Thread

05-14-2018, 04:40 PM	#7
Bigdav160 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Klein Texas Posts: 3,852	Re: Lower ball joint install I have a Snap On BJP1 but I am a tool junkie. Trying to pull the joint in with the nut will be a disaster. __________________ My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe

05-14-2018, 05:22 PM	#8
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,190	Re: Lower ball joint install If you have the lower control arm off, you can use a regular bearing press.

05-15-2018, 10:14 AM	#10
phat69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Texas Posts: 51	Re: Lower ball joint install place the lower ball joint in its hole and lift the weight of the truck with the jack on the ball joint. The take your BFH and hit the control arm until it is seated.

05-15-2018, 10:29 AM	#11
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: Lower ball joint install I was having some trouble with mine, kept slipping on the press, so I took them to a trusted ancient mechanic who has every tool, device, and press known to man. He actually has a lighted SnapOn display cabinet they gave him with pullers and presses. He promptly took a big f'n hammer and whacked it 3 times and it was in. Protect the bolt, that's all I remember! I actually have a ball joint press and I know he has the same one, but the hammer seems to work for the lowers especially well. __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

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