How to replace the upper ball joints?

Tiny
HAMBONE887
  • MEMBER
  • 2016 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 152,000 MILES
Hi, I was wanting to know how on this vehicle do you replace the upper ball joints. They are worn out. I see most places sell just the upper control arm and the manual really only shows replacing lower ball joints. Upper ball joint replacement shoes just a control arm remove and replace procedure. However, I did purchase upper ball joints only from Rock Auto from Moog. Wondering how to do this looks like they have some type of cap over the top of the ball joint how do I get that off and press it out?
Wednesday, April 27th, 2022 AT 9:37 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 46,489 POSTS
You will need to remove the upper control arm because the ball joints are replaced as a unit with the upper arm, here is a video, guide and instructions in the diagrams below to show you how. I suspect you got the lower ball joints instead of the upper.

https://youtu.be/E51EvOGnPf0

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/upper-control-arm-replacement

Make sure you mark the upper control arm bolts so the alignment will be close to what it was, if you mark them well you may be able to have the alignment checked with no adjustment needed. Get high quality arms from Rock Auto. Can you send pics of the ball joints you received just to make sure? Anyway, here are the instructions for your car in the diagrams below. Check out the diagrams (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 28th, 2022 AT 9:16 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
You are correct that the manual only shows how to replace the control arm because the OEM does not recommend you press these out. That doesn't mean it can't be done but they have found that it is the far preferred method as pressing them out is a difficult task.

So, I am attaching the process below on how to remove the control arm as you have to remove it to press this out.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-release-a-ball-joint

Next you need to get a C clamp and the proper cups that will fit this control arm and press it out and back in.

However, you literally will press it out from the opening that I am pointing to in the picture below.

Unfortunately, there are not specific instructions on this control arm but if you need more info, I will see what I can find from other sources.

Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 28th, 2022 AT 9:19 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links