How to Replace Ball Joints for a Chevy Blazer LS

by Jeffrey Caldwell

Hamed Saber: creativecommons.org

The ball joints connect your vehicle's control arms to the steering knuckles. They allow the steering knuckles to turn the wheels left and right while your car's suspension is moving up and down. If you have a faulty ball joint, you will usually be able to hear a grinding noise coming from the front suspension. When you suspect a faulty ball joint, address the situation right away. Ball joints can break, causing your vehicle to possibly lose a wheel, damage the suspension or drive components, and possibly cause an accident.

Removal of Upper Ball Joint

Step 1

Disconnect the ground cable from the negative battery terminal.

Step 2

Raise the vehicle and support by placing the jack stands underneath the spring seats on lower control arms. You will be using the vehicle's weight to compress the front springs.

Step 3

Remove the wheel and tire.

Step 4

Remove the two bolts that secure the brake caliper and separate it from the brake disc. Use a wire to secure the caliper out of the way. Do not let the caliper hang from the brake line.

Step 5

Remove the retaining pin and nut from the upper ball joint.

Step 6

Slide a ball joint separator between the upper ball joint stud and the lower control arm. Spin the nut to lengthen the ball joint separator until the upper ball joint breaks free of the steering knuckle.

Step 7

Use a 1/2-inch drill bit to drill out the rivets that secure the ball joint to the upper control arm.

Step 8

Inspect the ball joint stud hole in the steering knuckle. If it is out of round, it must be replaced.

Reassembly of Upper Ball Joint

Step 1

Position the ball joint in the upper control arm. The new ball joint will come will bolts and nuts to replace the rivets you drilled out. Tighten these fasteners to 17 foot-pounds.

Step 2

Slide the ball joint stud through the steering knuckle hole. Check that joint is seated. Thread the castle nut onto the stud and torque to 61 foot-pounds.

Step 3

Install the grease fitting and lube the ball joint.

Step 4

Install a new cotter pin.

Step 5

Reinstall the brake caliper.

Step 6

Reinstall the tire and wheel, then lower the vehicle, reconnect the ground cable to the negative battery terminal and have the vehicle's alignment checked.

Removal of Lower Ball Joints

Step 1

Disconnect the ground cable from the negative battery terminal.

Step 2

Raise the vehicle and support with jack stands under the frame.

Step 3

Slide a floor jack underneath the spring seat of lower control arm. Raise the jack to compress the spring slightly.

Step 4

Remove the two bolts that hold the brake caliper, and slide it off the brake disc. Support the caliper with a wire or plastic tie so that it is not hanging off the brake line.