How To Replace Chevy Truck Ball Joints


If you find that your Chevy truck has a vibration when you are driving it, you may need to replace the ball joints. When the ball joints start to show signs of failure, you should replace them as soon as you can before they completely fail and cause an accident.

Tools

  • Upper control arm with ball joint and lower ball joint
  • Jack and jack stand
  • Tire iron
  • 1/2-inch ratchet and socket set
  • 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set
  • Air compressor with hose
  • Pneumatic air chisel with tip and pointed tip
  • Pneumatic angle grinder and cut-off wheel

Instructions

  1. Place the truck on a flat, level surface, jack it up and secure it on the stands. Do not get under the truck until you have made sure that it is completely secure. Take the front wheels off the truck and place them aside.
  2. Place the jack under the lower control arm, but only until it lightly touches the arm. This will keep the lower control arm from popping out due to the coil tension.
  3. Use the ½-inch ratchet and socket to unbolt the upper control arm from the spindle and the frame.
  4. Use the ½-inch ratchet and socket and take the lower control arm off the spindle.
  5. Use an angle grinder to cut an “X” into the rivet heads used to secure the ball joint to the lower control arm.
  6. Take the chisel and put it between the bottom of the rivet and the lower control arm. Chisel the rivet head off. Take the pointed attachment and hammer the rivets down and out of the lower control arm.
  7. Slide the ball joint out, place the new ball joint in and bolt it back into place by using the replacement bolts and your 3/8-inch ratchet and socket.
  8. Use your 3/8-inch ratchet and socket and reconnect the spindle and the lower control arm.
  9. Put the tires back and lower the truck back down.

This should take care of the vibration you have had in your Chevy truck. Drive it and make sure that everything is operating properly. If you run into any problems, you may need to contact your local dealership for assistance.