New ball joint issue

POOPYRYA

MEMBER
1995 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
208,000 MILES

I got this truck about a month ago and I am rebuilding the front suspension because the control arms went out.
The problem is that after more than a day with the joint press kit seriously torqued the lower ball joint wouldn't set.

Just figured out that the adapter disk was the problem. The smaller one on top is beveled just enough to block the new joint. I totally trailer park engineered it but still need to do the other side.

I just want to know what I'm missing and/or what else I can use?

5 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good morning,

Can you post some pictures of what you have?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-release-a-ball-joint

Roy

Lower Ball Joint Replacement

Removal

Tools Required
J 24319-01 Steering Linkage Puller
J 36202 Torsion Bar Unloading Tool
J 29193 Steering Linkage Installer
J 9519-03 Ball Joint Remover and Installer
J 41435 Ball Joint Remover and Installer Kit
Consisting of J41435-1 Remover, J 41435-2 Installer, J 41435-3 Remover/Installer.

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Raise the vehicle and support it with suitable safety stands.

1. Tire and wheel.
Place a floor jack under the control arm spring seat and raise it until it supports the control arm.

CAUTION: Floor jack must remain under the control arm spring seat during removal and installation to retain the spring and control arm in position or personal injury may result.

2. Brake caliper.

Important
Support the caliper with a piece of wire to prevent damage to the brake lines.

3. Cotter pin and the nut.
Use J 24319-01 to break the ball joint loose from the knuckle.

4. Lower control arm from the knuckle.
Guide the control arm out of the splash shield with a screwdriver while lifting the upper control arm with a pry bar.

Important
Block the knuckle assembly out of the way by placing a wooden block between the frame and upper control arm.

5. Lower ball joint from the lower control arm.

Inspect
The tapered hole in the steering knuckle and remove any dirt. If the hole is out of round, deformed or damaged, the knuckle must be replaced.

Installation

Tool Required
J 41435 with J 9519-30 Ball Joint Remover and installer Set

1. New ball joint into the lower control arm.
Press in the ball joint using tools J 9519-19 and J 9519-30.
The ball joint will bottom on the control arm.

2. Ball joint stud into the steering knuckle.
3. Stud nut onto the stud.

Tighten
Tighten nut to 115 Nm (84 ft. lbs.) and align the slot in the stud nut with the hole in the stud by tightening.

4. New cotter pin to the stud.
5. Brake caliper.
6. Tire and wheel assembly.
Lower the vehicle.

Important
Check the front end alignment.

Image (Click to make bigger)