How to Change an Upper Ball Joint in a 2500 Chevrolet

The upper ball joints are essential for the steering of your Chevrolet 2500 truck. If they break, they will need to be replaced immediately, otherwise you will be unable to operate your Chevy truck. The upper ball joints are held in by rivets that will need to be removed with a drill, but the entire replacement procedure is simple and straightforward. It will take about two hours to replace the 2500 Chevrolet upper ball joints.

Instructions

1

Place a jack underneath the truck and raise the vehicle. Place jack stands at the front of the truck to support it.

2

Place a floor jack underneath the lower control arm.

3

Remove the nuts from the front wheels with a tire wrench and pull off both wheels from the truck.

4

Use a pair of pliers to remove the cotter pin. Use a socket wrench to loosen the stud nut.

5

Use a ball-joint prong to loosen the ball stud located in the truck's steering knuckle. Once the stud is loose, use a drill to drill out the rivets securing the ball joint to the arm.

6

Remove the ball joint assembly. The replacement ball joint assembly will have come with bolts and nuts to replace the assembly. Attach the ball joint to the vehicle and use a torque wrench to tighten the bolts to 18 foot pounds. Lubricate the new joint with some oil.

7

Tighten the stud nut and reattach the cotter pin.

8

Reattach the wheels and the wheel nuts. Remove the floor jack and jack stands and lower the truck.