How to Replace Lower Ball Joints on a Chevy Blazer
- 1). Lift the Chevy Blazer onto a car lift, leaving the steering unlocked (turn the key one click in the ignition).
- 2). Remove the wheel nut caps and the wheel nuts using the pneumatic gun and a socket. Remove the wheel.
- 3). Remove the two caliper bridge bolts using the gun and a socket. Remove the caliper assembly and support it to the Blazer using mechanic's wire.
- 4). Remove the rotor and set it aside.
- 5). Loosen the axle nut with the gun and a 36 mm impact socket. When the nut is flush to the end of the spindle, tap it with the hammer to separate the drive axle spindle. Once it is loose, remove the axle nut and washer from the axle spindle.
- 6). Remove the cotter pins from the upper and lower ball joint shafts. Remove the castle nut and loosen the bottom castle nut to the bottom of the lower ball joint shaft using a box-end wrench. If applicable, unplug the wheel speed sensor retaining from the upper control arm.
- 7). Remove the cotter pin from the outer tie rod and then remove the castle nut from the tie rod and shaft. Strike the side of the knuckle near the tie rod connection bluntly to break the tie rod free from the knuckle. Remove the tie rod shaft from the knuckle and position it out of the way.
- 8). Use a drill and a high-speed drill bit to drill out the three rivets for original ball joints. If the ball joints have already been replaced, remove the three nuts and bolts from the lower ball joint. Punch the rivets out, if necessary, with a pin punch and a hammer.
- 9). Strike the side control arm by the upper ball joint using a hammer with blunt force to separate the ball joint shaft from the upper control arm. Repeat this step for the lower ball joint by striking the lower control arm near the ball joint shaft. Remove the lower ball joint castle nut and the knuckle assembly. Remove the ball joint from the control arm. If necessary, strike the lower ball joint from below the control arm upward with a hammer.
- 10
Replace the ball joint by reversing the procedure. Be sure to install the rubber boot (if it's not assembled in the box). Screw the grease fitting on only after the ball joint and knuckle assembly have been reinstalled. Fill the grease fitting with a suitable lubricant until the boot expands.
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