Bad day today. 1999 GMC pick up and ball joints

old · Mar 16, 2013

Friend called yesterday asking me to help him do the ball joints in his truck. First problem was wrong parts. 2nd problem is the pickle fork almost did not work. 3rd problem was cutting/drilling the rivets out. Spent most of the day running for parts or fighting the truck. Still not done with just one side and have both to finish up. Oh well guess some times you win and some times you get it in the back sides

David G · Mar 16, 2013

Par for the course my friend, nothing ever seems to be without issues for me too.

gmccool · Mar 16, 2013

Old
I've had good luck using a air chisel to cut the rivets rather than drilling them. Gerald

old · Mar 16, 2013

May try that tomorrow after I fix my compressor which also broke down while we where working on that truck LOL

JayinNY · Mar 16, 2013

If I remember right, I ground the rivet heads off with my grinder, then used a drift to pound them threw.

old · Mar 16, 2013

Ya been years since I did ball joints and I do think they did them better years ago since it was never all that hard to do LOL

jeremy in NE · Mar 16, 2013

I found on mine that if you put the frame of the truck on jack stands and than use a floor jack to raise the rotor assembly up, it only takes a couple hits on the pickle fork to get it to pop. Never good when you have to chase down the right parts. Good luck

Leedog · Mar 16, 2013

I know the feeling yesterday the mailbox post rotted away. I went to replace it today and the ground is frozen about 12" down. I know I could have put hot water on it but I had to be at work about 2:15 today. as a nurse; I can't (won't)even think about calling off. I work in long term care and I know the people I take care of count on all of us. So, Monday I'll be putting in a new garage door opener for the wife and a new post for the bill collectors. Have a great weekend!! Love readin all the posts here!!!

Dr. Walt · Mar 17, 2013

Think your having fun, at least your at home where you have all of your tools & equipment. Try fixing a broken "A-arm" on a '76 Malibu Wagon on the side of the road, 170 miles from home & 35 miles to the nearest town on a Sunday afternoon with minimal tools - BTDT.

larrystinescorner · Mar 17, 2013

I guess you could say if it wasnt for bad luck you wouldnt have any luck at all.,..but thats not true,you have a nice family and a somewhat self substaining life that most of us dream of,so,,,,,you are a very lucky man,Between the garden ,deer hunting,etc, great life... you are a rich man

JF in MI · Mar 17, 2013

I used to work in a front end shop. Probably replaced thousands of them. The trick is to get it to work for you rather than against you. Hardly ever use a pickle fork. Unscrew the nut a few turns and let the suspension hang (with tension on the joint) then give the spindle a couple of hard shots with a 3 lb hammer right on the side where the ball joint shaft goes through it. It will jump apart. Then jack under the arm to take the load off it and remove the nut and spindle. Slice the rivets off with an air chisel (from the side) and punch them out with an air punch. Just wear ear and eye protection.

Jim

old · Mar 17, 2013

Ya did that on a Datsun Pick up years ago on the side of the road. I was only say 3 miles from home but the ball joint broke so there it was

fastline · Mar 17, 2013

Ball joints suck but I would also say you might have to rethink your strategy. Those rivets are ultra simple with grinding techniques.

Also, a pickle fork is NOT the way to get those joints apart. I have a technique using a sharp rap from a BFH in the right spot and they pop right loose. Has never failed me.

I ran a lifted 95 Chevy for over 200K. New joints about every 40K. Pretty irritating that the problem is still not solved today. Helped my bro fix his 2009 Dmax with 40K miles. Uppers were out.

RandyB(MI) · Mar 17, 2013

What! No air? You are a better man than I. I would have had to walk away for a couple days at that point!

old · Mar 17, 2013

Well the guy needed his truck asap. As for no air I could have had it but would have had to run my truck which has a compressor under the hood. Did get it fixed today before starting on the truck and got it done

Bad day today. 1999 GMC pick up and ball joints

old

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David G

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gmccool

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old

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JayinNY

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old

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jeremy in NE

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Leedog

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Dr. Walt

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larrystinescorner

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