replacing 1974 vette ball joints?

grumpyvette

Administrator
Staff member
"grumpy? I need to replace a front right side ball joint on my vette, what will I need? besides the replacement ball joints?"
read these links
viewtopic.php?f=27&t=672&p=28211&hilit=JACK+STANDS#p28211

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=26

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/precision-measuring-tools.1390/#post-68864

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ading-the-suspension-on-a-c-4.483/#post-70339

you will need some rags and brake cleaner solvent spray, a stiff brush, a couple sturdy jack stands, a floor jack, and you will need a drill, assorted bits , a few wrenches and side cutters or dikes, a couple replacement cotter pins , and a good understanding of what your doing
https://www.costway.com/21pcs-ball-...ce-remover-installing-master-adapter-car.html

w9_1_2.jpg

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0028QGT86/ezvid02-20


71zZoq-Q6gL._AC_SL1000_.jpg

bjf1a.jpg


http://www.harborfreight.com/11-3-4-quarter-inch-ball-joint-separator-1740.html
bjf2a.jpg


BTW the two tools linked above from HF actually work well :mrgreen: especially that hammer , Ive used mine for over 15 years without any issues


http://www.harborfreight.com/ball-joint ... -4065.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-lb-engineers-hammer-69013-8618.html




Having A floor jack and a couple sturdy jack stands will be useful

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-ton-jack-stands-34924.html


READ RELATED LINKS


and GET DECENT PARTS MANY OF THE CRAPPY IMPORT PARTS EITHER DON,T FIT or are made from inferior materials

get MOGG, or TIMKEN or similar name brand parts not cheap import parts
viewtopic.php?f=87&t=4718&p=12821&hilit=parts+import#p12821

viewtopic.php?f=71&t=3150&p=8410&hilit=+parts+ball+joints+fitting#p8410

viewtopic.php?f=34&t=483&p=12853&hilit=+cheap+suspension+parts+value#p12853

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=26&p=34&hilit=+cheap+suspension+parts+value#p34

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=970&p=15786&hilit=cheap+import#p15786

viewtopic.php?f=59&t=1390&p=3073&hilit=cheap+import#p3073



1) Place the car on jack stands

2) Remove shock absorber

3) Place a jack under the end of one lower control arm

4) Remove the cotter pin from the lower ball joint attach nut and loosen the nut 1 1/2-2 turns

5)Position the jack pad so it is just barely touching the end of the control arm under the balljoint

6) Break the interference loose on the balljoint by separating it with a 'pickle fork' and sledgehammer.

7) With the end of the control arm firmly supported now by the jack, unscrew the balljoint attach nut the rest of the way.

8) SLOWLY lower the jack, allowing the lower control arm to swing down and out of the way while the spring extends and falls out of its pocket.

9) Unbolt and remove lower control arm, put it in a vise, and replace the balljoint.

10) Reassemble in reverse order. Unless you're incredibly strong and/or persistent you will likely need a spring compressor to get the spring back in.

11) Repeat procedure for opposite side.
 
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Ive found that using your head a bit when ordering parts can potentially save you a good deal of money and making stupid mistakes, a bit of research sure helps and logically you can,t expect there to be little or nor relation between quality and component cost!
NOW,that in no way means you can,t save a great deal of money by shopping carefully, and shopping on line, can save you a great deal over shopping at your local auto parts store at times. but you obviously need to know what your looking for and be able to tell the difference between crap, decent and exceptionally good quality components
As an example ,Ive done a near constant business with ROCKAUTO
when I was looking to maintain my wifes 2003 mercury and I have generally been more than happy with both the service and parts quality, but I would point out I generally don,t select the less expensive parts costs listed , and try to select the OEM or at least well known brand components
example, if they list parts (that in theory are interchangeable replacement components ) ranging from $14-$77 dollars, when you look up for example replacement ball joints for my 1996 corvette, you would need to be a drooling idiot if you assumed there was no difference in quality in the listed options

I know this is going to sound silly but I know guys with 30 years experience that still forget to flip the rear grease seal 180 when filling the damn guns ,then they act surprised when the guns leak grease all over the place,when stored, watch the video

http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Vie ... grease-gun
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog

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