96 ball joints

[96GMCYukonGT]

hey everyone i have a 96 yuokn in need of new lower ball joints. i call around and found two things out.
1. theres two different sizes?

2. according the the dealer its a "welded design"

anyone have any cluse what that means cause the guy the parts desk didnt know and what size it would be its a 96 yukon gt 4x4 2dr

 

[BlkYukon95]

I did my 95 (I assume it is the same). The upper and lower are the different designs, maybe thats what he meant. Also the factory ones are riveted in. My new ones came with bolts and nuts.

They were not welded in, I wouldnt think anyone would weld them in.

 

[qukon 95]

lower ones are pressed in i just replced my uppers &lowers last week

 

[SunlitComet]

welded ones I think were for the heavier chassis's.

forged lower arm "With 47.89mm Press Fit Ball Joint"

or a stamped steel lower arm "With 45.79mm Diameter Ball Joint"

 

[steamroller]

There is a forged lower control arm for the OBS trucks/SUV's but I think they were only on the 3/4 or 1 ton models (Maybe diesel Tahoes?). Most likely you have the stamped and welded pieces. If you can post a pic of yours we would be able to tell for sure.

Edit: Sunlitcomet beat me to it

 

[SunlitComet]

Let me correct my previous statement. It is the arm bushings that were supposed to be welded in on heavy chassis. Ball joints were either pressed or bolted.

 

[alc5m]

i had this same problem, i did mine about 2 months ago

after you figure out which ones you got, i found around my area between all the stores even with a discount, it was still cheaper to order my ball joints off of rockauto just so ya know

but good luck when you do this cause i wanted to shoot someone by the time i was done lol

 

[steamroller]

Let me correct my previous statement. It is the arm bushings that were supposed to be welded in on heavy chassis. Ball joints were either pressed or bolted.

Seriously? So the bushings can't be serviced on them?

My stamped lower arms are welded though, the biggest part of it is 1 piece but has some welded in sections on the upper part.