Ball joints/ Control Arms install?

[tbucket101]

Any advice on tackling this job?....pitfalls to watch for, etc.....Im comfortable using a spring compressor and backyard mechanics, but wasn't sure if there will be issue(s) I run into trying this in my driveway?....ANY advice or experienced recommendations would be greatly appreciated....I cant see paying a shop the crazy labor to install these, unless there is something I cannot see....thanks

 

[angrysam]

What year? 4x4 or 4x2?

 

[Marioski]

What are you doing, upper's or lower's or both?

Upper Control arm's are a piece of cake. You just need a long ass pry bar to push them back down onto the spindle. My UCA forward bolts were frozen and I ended up snapping them. I had to use grade 8 bolts as a temporary fix while an order was placed at the dealership.

For the spring, you don't need a compressor. The entire strut assembly will come out as one unit on 07 and up.

The lower control arm ball joint, well I found it better to purchase the entire LCA with new bushings and ball joints form gmpartsgiant.com then messing with a ball joint press. Yes it was a few box more but the time saved renting a tool and messing with pressing the ball joint on and off is worth it. Get new sway bar end links as well at the same time. They are simple to remove. Tip, to disconnect the lower ball joint from the spindle, hit the spindle where the ball joint sits with a 5lb hammer. Give it a few good whacks and it will pop off.

It's a piece of cake job. Took me about 4-5 hours for both sides, new uppers, new lowers, new tie rods, new sway bar bushings, new sway bar end links, new drive shafts, new front hubs

 

[sumo]

here

http://tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=568738#post568738

 

[jz57]

Is there any place to get Aluminum lower control bushings?

 

[livingez_123]

Why would you want alum control arm bushings? that's just..... at least race cars use a good heim joint. Just go with a good urethane and use plenty of lube on it while going together or they will squeak.

 

[jz57]

I am talking about rubber bushings for Aluminum lower control arm.

Where are those rubber bushings? No aftermarket ones are available in the market.

Why would you want alum control arm bushings? that's just..... at least race cars use a good heim joint. Just go with a good urethane and use plenty of lube on it while going together or they will squeak.

 

[Marioski]

I am talking about rubber bushings for Aluminum lower control arm.

Where are those rubber bushings? No aftermarket ones are available in the market.

You can not buy those separately at all, not even from GM. GM also does not sell the ball joint separately. You have to purchase a new arm, that will come with new bushings and a new ball joint. I paid about $145'ish per arm. Sounds like a lot but a good quality aftermarket ball joint is $70 and then you are either paying labor or messing around with pressing the ball joint out and the new one in. For a few bucks more, it cuts your labor time down and you get new control arm bushings (with a new arm) at the same time.




Sent from racephone