Question on Ball Joints Rock Auto vs FSM

[iametarq]

Rock Auto shows replacement Ball Joints for the front of the 98 Seville.

The FSM states:

Originally Posted by FSM

The lower control arm ball joint is serviced only with the control arm and cannot be serviced separately.

Do people drill out bolts on the front lower ball joint? The Rock Auto replacements all have 3 bolts with them.

At < $15 a piece maybe it'd be worth doing mine? I plan to keep the car well into 200,000 miles.

Thanks!

[Ranger]

Yours looked like they where riveted (as I think all are). That is probably why they say not serviceable. I think it is and has been standard practice for decades to drill out the rivets and bolt in the new ones.

[submariner409]

If you jack up the car and have an assistant forcibly rock the wheel in and out with hands at 12:00 and 6:00, is there any visible play at the lower ball joint ? Have you had any front wheel alignment or weird tire wear problems ?? If not, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Ball joints require a bit of spring compressor, jack, wrench, hammer, and magic words use. Not saying you couldn't pick up a pair and put them on the shelf.......If the replacements come with hardened bolts, then the OEM rivets (?) can be drilled out.

[iametarq]

Sub, I will have to try that test on the ball joints. I will do that this week when I install the brake wear sensors I forgot to order for this weekends hub and brake job.

I have had the front end aligned probably 2 or 3 times in the last 5 years and I can never hold the wheel straight and keep the car going straight. It always goes slightly to the right if the steering wheel is perfectly straight. I have never noticed any unusual tread where, but I'm only on my 2nd set of tires in that 5 years. Tread always looked normal to me, and no one's ever mentioned anything about it, but it doesn't go to a shop that often.

I'll have to get a picture of the wheel and post it showing how i have to hold it to go straight. I am going to take it to a new shop who has not looked at it before and this time keep taking it back until its right, if all it needs a good alignment done right.



I am trying to get all the little kinks out that bug me within the next 12 months since our other car is going to be getting replaced.

Thanks for all your insight, gents!!

[drewsdeville]

Originally Posted by submariner409

If you jack up the car and have an assistant forcibly rock the wheel in and out with hands at 12:00 and 6:00, is there any visible play at the lower ball joint ? Have you had any front wheel alignment or weird tire wear problems ?? If not, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Ball joints require a bit of spring compressor, jack, wrench, hammer, and magic words use. Not saying you couldn't pick up a pair and put them on the shelf.......If the replacements come with hardened bolts, then the OEM rivets (?) can be drilled out.

Spring compressor???

I can't speak for this particular vehicle, but I'm pretty sure I've never used a spring compressor at any point while changing ball joints and I can't think of a reason to. What do you use a spring compressor for?

[submariner409]

You would need one if you can't jack up the lower suspension arm to unload the ball joint.

Checking the 2002 suspension diagrams shows the lower arm up on a jackstand in order to gauge ball joint play. IF you can keep the spring force (vehicle weight) off the lower control arm, then you would not need a spring compressor (jack up the wheel ?).

[drewsdeville]

Originally Posted by submariner409

You would need one if you can't jack up the lower suspension arm to unload the ball joint.

Checking the 2002 suspension diagrams shows the lower arm up on a jackstand in order to gauge ball joint play. IF you can keep the spring force (vehicle weight) off the lower control arm, then you would not need a spring compressor (jack up the wheel ?).

Ohh, I see.

Sorry I didn't understand. I always just place the jack under the brake rotor, wheel removed. But now that you point it out, a spring compressor would be another route.

[ewill3rd]

On a vehicle with a MacPherson strut you need to jack it up by the frame and let the control arm "hang".
This will "unload" the joint and you can check it for play.
Jack it up by the frame enough to get the tire off the ground and stick a prybar under the tire, watch the ball joint and have someone move the prybar up and down to raise and lower the tire and watch for play.

Most GM ball joints are serviced as part of the control arm.
I recommend you go to your local parts store and buy Moog parts if you plan on doing anything to suspension components.

Yes, you drill the rivets or grind them or just cut them off and then use the new bolts and lock nuts to attach the replacement ball joint to the control arm.
Pretty standard procedure.
Again, I can't stress it enough... buy MOOG parts.

[iametarq]

Thanks for all the tips. I'll remember MOOG parts. That goes for the rear control arm bushings, which apparently ARE serviceable, I should use MOOG for those?

[ewill3rd]

Absolutely.