I am trying to get my lower ball joint out of my.

TANNERJ

MEMBER
2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO
267,000 MILES

I am trying to get my lower ball joint out of my 02 silverado. I am using the ball joint tool and its not working, I know how to use the tool properly. According to the part that I bought it looks like the ball joint pushes down and not up. But it will not go down or up. There is a dome with a greese zerk on the top side of the ball joint. So I dont know if its just a cap and that needs to come off. I currently am working on it outside in 6 inch of snow and -20 degrees F, so its getting frusteratiing. I really need HELP. PLEASE! (Truck is a 4x4 with a 5.3L v8)

3 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,743 POSTS

Did you remove the snap ring? Are you pressing the joint toward the stud / away from the grease fitting? If you're using a ball joint press that looks like a giant c-clamp, they work best if you just make the pressing bolt tight, then smack it with a hammer and tighten the bolt again.

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

+1

Monday, February 11th, 2013 AT 10:06 AM

TANNERJ

MEMBER
2 POSTS

The snap ring is off. I am pressing the bolt towards the ground, looking at the new joint that is the only way for it to come out, I've hit it with a hammer and nothing. But I will try later today to smack the bolt with a hammer. Question is is does the lower ball joint push up towards the fender or come down to the ground, it looks like alot of vehicles are different

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, February 11th, 2013 AT 11:45 AM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,743 POSTS

I don't know which way it's installed on your truck. You have to press on the grease fitting side. You'll see on the new one that 3/16" thick outer ring. Be sure the receiving cone is large enough in diameter so it's not sitting on that ring.

You are using a ball joint press, right? That's the pressing screw to bang on, not the ball joint itself. Also be sure you're using the disc with a hole in the center on the end of the receiving cone. Check that the tapered stud is coming through that hole.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, February 11th, 2013 AT 12:39 PM