car is a 1970 chevelle malibu

problem: crack boot on upper ball joint driver side front

Intentions: replacing upper and lower ball joint.

Tools: air wrenches, balljoint fork, 2 new balljoints, grease


Which is easier the upper or the lower?

Do I need a certain tool for "pressing" the lower joint in?

What is the monetary value to have a mechanic do this rather than tackle the job myself?

How long should a simple upper & lower replacement take /per wheel?

Is it neccesary to routinely grease these joints? How so? grease gun required?

Thanks

car is a 1970 chevelle malibu

problem: crack boot on upper ball joint driver side front

Intentions: replacing upper and lower ball joint.

Tools: air wrenches, balljoint fork, 2 new balljoints, grease

First off I am not a mechanic and this is just how I personally would attack this. Hope it helps.


Which is easier the upper or the lower?
The upper will be easier as you can just grind the rivets off and then bolt the new one in.

Do I need a certain tool for "pressing" the lower joint in?
It is easiest if you have a press to press the old joint out and the new one in. The easiest way I've found to do this is with two appropriate sized pieces of pipe. One to hold the control arm up off the press (for the joint to fall through) and another one over the balljoint to press with.

I have also done this with a hammer and two sockets (if you have the right sized sockets and don't mind beating on them) This is not the ideal solution however as you will have to apply a lot of force to remove it.

What is the monetary value to have a mechanic do this rather than tackle the job myself?
You'd have to answer this yourself, I guess it's whatever it is worth to you and your time??

How long should a simple upper & lower replacement take /per wheel?
Depends on if you know what you're doing. Without a press I'd say you could safely do both sides in a saturday.

Is it neccesary to routinely grease these joints? How so? grease gun required?
There should be a zerk on the joint for you to use a grease gun. I usually grease mine every other time I change the oil.

Thanks

Goodluck

sounds like half-to a whole day for me. Thats with me anticipating a few obstacles.

Are there consumer versions of a press that will do the job? A tool like this available at a local auto parts store? I will check it out today to see what you mean. Must be a tight fit through the lower control arm.

Try this link from Glenn Lever web site, it will help with taking the front end apart and gives you some safety issues

http://www.leverfamilysite.com/images/PDF_Files/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Front_end_Rebuild.pdf

sounds like half-to a whole day for me. Thats with me anticipating a few obstacles.

Are there consumer versions of a press that will do the job? A tool like this available at a local auto parts store? I will check it out today to see what you mean. Must be a tight fit through the lower control arm.


Autozone will rent you a BJ press.

Check out the lever family site. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE NOT CARE FULL, SPRINGS HAVE A TON OF POTENTIAL ENERGY!!