I am trying to get my lower ball joint out of my.

TANNERJ

MEMBER
2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
267,000 MILES

I am trying to get my lower ball joint out of my 02 silverado. I am using the ball joint tool and its not working, I know how to use the tool properly. According to the part that I bought it looks like the ball joint pushes down and not up. But it will not go down or up. There is a dome with a greese zerk on the top side of the ball joint. So I dont know if its just a cap and that needs to come off. I currently am working on it outside in 6 inch of snow and -20 degrees F, so its getting frusteratiing. I really need HELP. PLEASE! (Truck is a 4x4 with a 5.3L v8)

3 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

Did you remove the snap ring? Are you pressing the joint toward the stud / away from the grease fitting? If you're using a ball joint press that looks like a giant c-clamp, they work best if you just make the pressing bolt tight, then smack it with a hammer and tighten the bolt again.

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Monday, February 11th, 2013 AT 10:06 AM

TANNERJ

MEMBER
2 POSTS

The snap ring is off. I am pressing the bolt towards the ground, looking at the new joint that is the only way for it to come out, I've hit it with a hammer and nothing. But I will try later today to smack the bolt with a hammer. Question is is does the lower ball joint push up towards the fender or come down to the ground, it looks like alot of vehicles are different

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Monday, February 11th, 2013 AT 11:45 AM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

I don't know which way it's installed on your truck. You have to press on the grease fitting side. You'll see on the new one that 3/16" thick outer ring. Be sure the receiving cone is large enough in diameter so it's not sitting on that ring.

You are using a ball joint press, right? That's the pressing screw to bang on, not the ball joint itself. Also be sure you're using the disc with a hole in the center on the end of the receiving cone. Check that the tapered stud is coming through that hole.

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Monday, February 11th, 2013 AT 12:39 PM