What is aball joint press - 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

the lower ball joint is pressed into the lower control arm. You will need a ball joint press to remove and install the ball joint. The other option is to replace the lower control arm.

Some parts store will have presses for loan. You will have to check around and see if any in your area have these. If you can't find one you could always pull the control arm and bring it to a shop or machine shop and have them swap the ball joint.

Its a pretty simple procedure.

1. remove the wheel
2. remove the pinch bolt that secures the knuckle to the ball joint.
3. separate the lower control arm from the knuckle.
4. remove snap ring from the ball joint (if it has one)
5. use a ball joint press to press out the old ball joint.
6. press in the new ball joint.

if you don't have a press than you can remove the lower control arm by following steps 1-3 above. then remove the bolt from the front bushing. Remove the stamped steel skid pan from the sub frame. Remove the rear lower control arm bushing mounting bolts.

If you have any questions I'll be happy to answer them.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

Ball joints come as upper and lower. Requires at least a ball joint separater tool and small hand grinder along with basic hand tools. Some lowers are pressed in/out and require either a c-clamp style press or to remove control arm and take to a machine shop to be pressed in using a floor press. Parts are ordered by vehicle make, ball joints run in the $25-$40 range per joint. All you need to do is go to the parts store, tell them what vehicle and they can give you the proper joints you require. 2 upper joints and 2 lower joints. (1 each on each vehicle side). Not and easy job, but not impossible to do at home. Joints for your vehicle should be in stock at most auto parts stores.
Call around for price and availability.
Please rate this answer..MIke

To perform the following procedure, the lower control arm must be removed from the vehicle. Refer to Removal And Installation for that procedure.

1. Using a screw driver or other suitable tool, pry the seal boot off of the ball joint assembly
2. Position receiving cup, Special Tool 6758 to support lower control arm when removing ball joint assembly. Install Remover, Special Tool 6919 on the top of the ball joint assembly.
3. Using the arbor press, press the ball joint assembly completely out of the lower control arm.

NOTE: When installing ball joint in lower control arm, position the ball joint in control arm so notch in ball joint stud is in the direction shown. This will ease assembly of the ball joint to the steering when installing pinch bolt.

1. By hand, position ball joint into ball joint bore of lower control arm. Be sure ball joint is not cocked in the bore of the control arm, this will cause the ball joint to bind when being pressed into control arm.

 

1. Position control arm with installed ball joint, in an arbor press with Receiving Cup, Special Tool 6758 supporting the lower control arm. Then center Installer, Special Tool 6908-4 on the bottom of the ball joint
2. Carefully align all pieces. Then press the ball joint into the lower control arm until it is completely seated against surface of lower control arm. The ball joint is correctly installed when there is no gap between the ball joint and the lower control arm. Do not apply excessive force against the ball joint or the lower control arm.
3. Install a NEW seal boot by hand as far as possible on the ball joint. Installation of the seal boot is to be with the shield positioned as shown.

CAUTION: Do not use an arbor press to install the sealing boot on the ball joint. Damage to the sealing boot will occur if excessive pressure is applied to the sealing boot when it is being installed.

1. Place Installer, Special Tool 6758 over seal boot and squarely align it with bottom edge of seal boot. Apply hand pressure to Special Tool 6758 until seal boot is pressed squarely against top surface of lower control arm.

CAUTION: A replacement ball joint is not pre-lubricated. Properly lubricate the replacement ball joint using Mopar Multi-Mile grease or an equivalent. Lubricate ball joint after seal boot is installed but prior to top of seal boot being pushed down below notch in ball joint stud. Air must vent out of the seal boot at notch when grease is pumped into ball joint, failure to do so will balloon and damage seal boot. Do not over grease the ball joint, this will prevent the seal boot from pushing down on the stud of the ball joint.

CAUTION: After the ball joint is properly greased, clip the end of the grease fleeing off below the hex. The ball joint seal boot is non-purgeable and further greasing is not required and can result in damage to the seal boot.

1. Reinstall lower control arm on vehicle.

YOU NEED SOME TOOLS LIKE 1/8 1/2 DRILL BITS.YOU NEED A PUNCH.YOU NEED A BALL JOINT SEPERATOR.YOU NEED BALL JOINT PRESS TOOL TO PRESS OUT BALL JOINT AND PRESS IN NEW BALL JOINT.YOU WILL NEED A HAYNES REPAIR MANUAL TO SHOW YOU PHOTOS AND GIVE YOU YOUR TORQUE SPECS.

It looks like if you buy the joint from Chrysler then it comes complete with the arm however there are aftermarket companies that make just the ball joint which can be pressed in and out. It's fairly common for a manufacturer to offer the joint only as a part of the arm while an aftermarket company will offer the ball joint for sale seperately. A hint on these: Buy the best quality ball joint you can get an grease them on a regular basis. Lower ball joints take quite a beating and there is a big quality difference between cheap and good joints.

remove the drive shaft
remove retaining clips from bad u-joint
mark yoke so it can be installed in the same position
press joint out with bench vise or shop press
install joint with vise or press
lubricate joint and reinstall drive shaft

the lower ball joint are pressed in , there is a tool to remove them called a "BALL JOINT PRESS" so with the tool u don't need to remove the control arm, which is a huge job on the 4 wheel drive model.
here is the tool and part number from www.rockauto.com

MOOG Part # T40003 USD 115.79
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/908368/how_to_use_a_ball_joint_press_video_shows_astro_pneumatic_ap7865/

jack up truck support truck remove brake caliper and support the caliper dont let it hang by the hose remove cotter pin from bottom of ball joint remove castle nut from ball joint use ball joint press to push ball joint up and out then use press to push in new ball joint make sure you grease them when you are finished both uper and lower press up and out.

It's probably the rear sway bar links. If you can jack your car up and check right behind both rear wheels you will be abale to see the sway bar which is connected to short links about 5in long with ball joints.

If either of them are broken or not connected anymore it can cause some pretty loud noises when you ride on rough roads or hit bumps. They run about $35 per link so it's not a very expensive repair.

Very simple...I don't have my Chilton's in front of me but I can tell you the easiest way to know is to look UNDER the ball joint. If you don't see screws or rivits....it is pressed in. Looking at replacement parts....it is pressed.

You can replace it yourself if you have a ball joint press...or, take it to NAPA or similar store that presses joints....but you have to remove the lower control arm and take it in. That can be the cheapest route also.....saves A LOT from labor from the garage mechanics!!!!!

Don't forget to rate please!!!!