How to Replace the Ball Joints in a 1984 K20

Located between the steering knuckle and lower control arm of the truck, behind the wheel, the ball joints in your 1984 Chevrolet K20 truck are some of the most important components of the truck's steering system. If your truck's ball joints break, you will not be able to steer your K20. Thankfully, the average home mechanic replace the ball joints in a K20 truck in under an hour with just a few tools.

Instructions

1

Loosen the nuts from the truck's front wheels with a wheel wrench.

2

Raise the truck with a jack. Place jack stands at the front of the truck to support it.

3

Remove the front wheels.

4

Use pliers to remove the cotter pin and remove the stud nut with a socket wrench.

5

Separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle with a ball joint removal fork.

6

Use a spring compressor to compress the coil spring.

7

Remove the four bolts from the ball joint with a socket wrench and remove the ball joint from the lower control arm.

8

Attach the replacement ball joint to the lower control arm and reinstall its bolts.

9

Remove the spring compressor. Reattach the steering knuckle to the lower ball joint.

10

Reattach the stud nut and cotter pin. Reattach the front wheels, take off the jack stands and lower the truck. Reattach the wheel nuts.