I really had no way to tell, I guess I had a feeling. When I removed them it was obvious that they were bad. They had a lot of in-out play.

...my girlfriend bought me the new ball joints for christmas and today she's broken up with me

 

I am about to tackle my ball joints and tie rods this weekend. I will let you guys know how it goes!

Quick question - any of you guys have a leak from your steering rack boots. Where can I get a replacement boot and do they need to be repacked with grease?

 

Did my 92 LS in about 1.5 hours while taking pictures: check it out, they were loose but not shot. I do have piece of mind now as the mechanic noted them at 68K, im now at 92K.

http://picasaweb.google.com/pishta68/BallJoints

uppers are next...

 

check these guys out, 66 bucks a set shipped!! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-Low...9100QQtcZphoto

 

personally id stick to OEM for suspension stuff (unless its a high quality aftermarket UPGRADE)

 

Thanks, pishta - that was an awesome write-up. I appreciate the time you took to do it and your attention to detail. I may be tackling the same job myself soon as I've been hearing a subtle clunk noise from the left front of my 91 LS when going over (even small) bumps.

 

Sounds characteristic of lower ball joint. Go ahead and tackle it--it's very straightforward. Good luck!

 

is there suppose to be alot of freeplay on the ball joint

 

boy it was hard removing it. great dyi guide A+++

 

What do you mean by free play? It should only move round and round 360 deg. It should not move up and down or side to side at all.

?

BP

 

you mean the center bolt turning 360?

 

off the car the ball and socket part will turn 360 deg. I think I have confused you. I wish you could see my hands so I could show you what I am tying to say.

Sorry..

B

 

Oversteer, thanks for the time and effort you put into this thread. I used this along with the other thread in the sticky and tackeled my outer balljoints and tie rods end this weekend. No walk in the park due to stubborn bolts and a small issue with one of the tie rod ends but got it done! Thanks again. BTW what part of Ga are you in?

 

bumping up, seeing where everyone purchased the parts at, i got mine at sewell before but anywhere cheaper?

 

i get pretty much ALL of my OEM parts from carson