how to replace front lower ball joints

[Wake]

I'm wondering if I will need to do this soon since my rig has 115k on the lock. Right now just trying to save $$ to replace the Autoride front struts

I'd be surprised if you don't need them, maybe not by inspection standards but just in slight wear you surely have at this mileage.

I replaced everything in the front suspension other than lower arm bushings which seem to last a long time and the struts which I'll probably do this summer or fall. At 73K miles everything else was at least somewhat worn. The upper arm bushings were cracked/split, both upper and lower ball joints had some play in them, tie rod ends had a little bit of play in them as well.

Even at only 73K miles, replacing everything in the front end made a noticeable difference in ride and steering quality. The problem is that you get used to the ride quality decline slowly over time so it is hard to gauge. Go drive a new one and you'll notice how sloppy your 115K mile vehicle feels.

I've rebuilt suspensions on 3 vehicles with under 100K miles and each one rode like a new or almost new vehicle when I was finished. Freshening up your ride sure lessens the desire to go buy a new vehicle when yours starts feeling old.

 

[Ponchonutty]

Thanks for the input. I'd love to change everything in the front in but I don't know if I have the time or the money to have somebody else do it. It appears I might be up for a new rack because I notice it is starting to seep fluid . Considering just rebuilding it Since it works fine but unsure if I should just buy a reman unit because of the miles

 

[C-Dubb]

Good Evening everyone, I took my truck into the shop the other day to have a tire repaired and the service manager pulled me to the shop bay and told me my upper arms and lower ball joints need to be replaced. This highly irritated me for I just had it replaced about 1.5 years ago, albeit about 50K later. How long do these things last? After doing some research I think I can replace it myself and save the $1500. Any thoughts? My Yukon has 232K miles

 

[Wake]

Good Evening everyone, I took my truck into the shop the other day to have a tire repaired and the service manager pulled me to the shop bay and told me my upper arms and lower ball joints need to be replaced. This highly irritated me for I just had it replaced about 1.5 years ago, albeit about 50K later. How long do these things last? After doing some research I think I can replace it myself and save the $1500. Any thoughts? My Yukon has 232K miles

Upper control arms are very easy and cheap. I bought mine off Amazon for about $60 each. The only suggestion I have is buying the upper control arm bolts and having them handy as you'll likely break one or both on each side from my experience. I live in a climate where salt is used on the roads and the upper control arm bolts on both sides were pretty corroded. I broke one on each side as the bolt just sheered off when I turned it.

Lower ball joints are a PITA but can be done. The PITA part is there is very little on the outside of the end of the lower control arm for the ball joint cup to sit on so it wants to slide off as you tighten the large clamp to pop it out. The Escalade has aluminum lower arms, not sure if the cast iron arms on the Tahoe/Yukon are larger on the outside. I couldn't get the cup to get enough bite to press out the lower joint. I ended up with a cold chisel and pounded around the edge of the ball joint to pry it out before going back to the ball joint cup.

 

[C-Dubb]

Upper control arms are very easy and cheap. I bought mine off Amazon for about $60 each. The only suggestion I have is buying the upper control arm bolts and having them handy as you'll likely break one or both on each side from my experience. I live in a climate where salt is used on the roads and the upper control arm bolts on both sides were pretty corroded. I broke one on each side as the bolt just sheered off when I turned it.

Lower ball joints are a PITA but can be done. The PITA part is there is very little on the outside of the end of the lower control arm for the ball joint cup to sit on so it wants to slide off as you tighten the large clamp to pop it out. The Escalade has aluminum lower arms, not sure if the cast iron arms on the Tahoe/Yukon are larger on the outside. I couldn't get the cup to get enough bite to press out the lower joint. I ended up with a cold chisel and pounded around the edge of the ball joint to pry it out before going back to the ball joint cup.

 

[C-Dubb]

Thanks Wake, I just purchased the control arms and lower ball joints. Now i am deciding whether or not to purchase or rent the ball joint press.

 

[Wake]

Thanks Wake, I just purchased the control arms and lower ball joints. Now i am deciding whether or not to purchase or rent the ball joint press.

I bought my own set but that's only because I work on several vehicles and help out a few friends. If you don't plan on making good use of it then I'd just rent the tools. It isn't worth dropping $100+ on a tool you might use every 5-10 years.