Fun with ball joints

Chevyguy · 05-14-2001, 04:53 PM

I went to my buddys shop to remount some tires for the 88 2.3 beater when I noticed a creaking sound from my front end. I put the 90 on the lift, after some inspection find the pass ball joint is smoked after 105K, the drivers one was already replaced since it had a grease fitting and the backing plate had been cut.

Boy it was fun to replace that thing, ended up completely removing the spindle, had to remove the rotor too. After about 2 hrs I realized the lower arm just would not lower down, Disconnecting the strut and tierod took like 5-10 minutes, once I realized the rotor was hanging the thing up, the spindle was off in no time. And I needed the room since the press tool was too shallow and bottomed out with about 1/4 of the ball joint still in the lower control arm. After treatment with the torch, and some cold water to put out the burning grease, followed by a BFH it finally popped out.

Just another fun Saturday

------------------
Frank W
90 5.0 LX coupe Daily driver. Silencer removed, K&N filter. Flexalite fan, 3 core radiator. FMS flywheel and Clutch
88 Notch 2.3L 5 speed Parts/beater car

74 Chevy Laguna Type S-3 305 fixing soon, getting a 454 to put in garage
My two Notchbacks
www.chevellepages.com/folingo

joe4speed · 05-14-2001, 05:00 PM

Mine are wasted too... I dread getting around to it!!

------------------
Joe!
1988 GT, 167,000 miles!!! 13.71@105mph Check out my listing! Click here! Or my website:
www.joe4speed.com
1999 Ninja ZX-6R 10.32@135mph!
1993 Olds Eighty Eight LSS

TEXSN95 · 05-14-2001, 09:24 PM

Summit has some new front LCAs with the improved ball joints for $190. Part # FMS-M3075A

------------------
Clint L.
White 95 Cobra #3637
58cc GT40X heads with mild porting, Crane 2031 cam, FRPP 65 TB, 1.7s, Cobra intake, homeade cold air, 155lph, pullies, Tokico Illuminas, C springs, GW LCAs, Kenny Brown super subs, Steeda CC plates, aluminum driveshaft, Steeda quadrant, B&M ripper, Kirban FPR, MSD6A, Taylor wires, Mac shorties, off road hpipe, 2 1/2 ultra flows w/ dumps, R hood, Euro clear corners, stock 3.08s
13.61 @ 104.7 w/ 2.22

Chevyguy · 05-15-2001, 08:16 AM

I had seen those arms in Summit before I bought the 90, now I know why they sell them

The whole job could be under one hour just R&R the whole lower arm assy and you are done !

The ball joint I put in was a moog one that uses a oblong bolt replacing the castle nut and cotter pin, it did fit real nice after the smoke cleared. Certianly not a backyard job, torch and air tools saved my butt.

------------------
Frank W
90 5.0 LX coupe Daily driver. Silencer removed, K&N filter. Flexalite fan, 3 core radiator. FMS flywheel and Clutch, FMS blue wires Energy Suspension end links
88 Notch 2.3L 5 speed Parts/beater car My two Notchbacks

74 Chevy Laguna Type S-3 305 Finally fixed getting a 454 to put in garage
<A HREF="http://www.chevellepages.com/folingo" TARGET=_blank>www.chevellepages.

05-14-2001, 04:53 PM	#1
Chevyguy Backyard Mechanic/Chemist Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Acton MA USA Posts: 435	Fun with ball joints I went to my buddys shop to remount some tires for the 88 2.3 beater when I noticed a creaking sound from my front end. I put the 90 on the lift, after some inspection find the pass ball joint is smoked after 105K, the drivers one was already replaced since it had a grease fitting and the backing plate had been cut. Boy it was fun to replace that thing, ended up completely removing the spindle, had to remove the rotor too. After about 2 hrs I realized the lower arm just would not lower down, Disconnecting the strut and tierod took like 5-10 minutes, once I realized the rotor was hanging the thing up, the spindle was off in no time. And I needed the room since the press tool was too shallow and bottomed out with about 1/4 of the ball joint still in the lower control arm. After treatment with the torch, and some cold water to put out the burning grease, followed by a BFH it finally popped out. Just another fun Saturday ------------------ Frank W 90 5.0 LX coupe Daily driver. Silencer removed, K&N filter. Flexalite fan, 3 core radiator. FMS flywheel and Clutch 88 Notch 2.3L 5 speed Parts/beater car 74 Chevy Laguna Type S-3 305 fixing soon, getting a 454 to put in garage My two Notchbacks www.chevellepages.com/folingo

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05-14-2001, 05:00 PM	#2
joe4speed He said Member...heh, heh Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Jupiter, Florida U.S.A. Posts: 3,718	Mine are wasted too... I dread getting around to it!! ------------------ Joe! 1988 GT, 167,000 miles!!! 13.71@105mph Check out my listing! Click here! Or my website: www.joe4speed.com 1999 Ninja ZX-6R 10.32@135mph! 1993 Olds Eighty Eight LSS

05-14-2001, 09:24 PM	#3
TEXSN95 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: college station, tx Posts: 143	Summit has some new front LCAs with the improved ball joints for $190. Part # FMS-M3075A ------------------ Clint L. White 95 Cobra #3637 58cc GT40X heads with mild porting, Crane 2031 cam, FRPP 65 TB, 1.7s, Cobra intake, homeade cold air, 155lph, pullies, Tokico Illuminas, C springs, GW LCAs, Kenny Brown super subs, Steeda CC plates, aluminum driveshaft, Steeda quadrant, B&M ripper, Kirban FPR, MSD6A, Taylor wires, Mac shorties, off road hpipe, 2 1/2 ultra flows w/ dumps, R hood, Euro clear corners, stock 3.08s 13.61 @ 104.7 w/ 2.22

05-15-2001, 08:16 AM	#4
Chevyguy Backyard Mechanic/Chemist Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Acton MA USA Posts: 435	I had seen those arms in Summit before I bought the 90, now I know why they sell them The whole job could be under one hour just R&R the whole lower arm assy and you are done ! The ball joint I put in was a moog one that uses a oblong bolt replacing the castle nut and cotter pin, it did fit real nice after the smoke cleared. Certianly not a backyard job, torch and air tools saved my butt. ------------------ Frank W 90 5.0 LX coupe Daily driver. Silencer removed, K&N filter. Flexalite fan, 3 core radiator. FMS flywheel and Clutch, FMS blue wires Energy Suspension end links 88 Notch 2.3L 5 speed Parts/beater car My two Notchbacks 74 Chevy Laguna Type S-3 305 Finally fixed getting a 454 to put in garage <A HREF="http://www.chevellepages.com/folingo" TARGET=_blank>www.chevellepages.