May need to do ball joint replacement this spring. Need to check again. I live in the Adirondacks of NY (near Lake George) and I would like to have this job done by a mechanic. Are there any classic car guys/repair shops that you would recommend? I don't think I want to go to my local repaair shop for fear they may not treat the car with "kid gloves" etc.. The car was just recently painted and the interior is mint. So, I was hoping to find someone to do the ball joint job that would treat the car with respect also. I'm sure many of you fellas understand. Any recommendations in my area?? I would most likely wait until May/June to do it if needed. Thanks in advance. Tom. :)

Tom,

I have family in Saratoga, the wife's family that is, and they might know someone. I can ask around. A friend of ours there is always restoring something. He lives near the
Wilton Mall, just off of RT 50. He may be able to do it if that isn't too far for you to drive. I'll ask.

That sounds great! Appreciate it. Tom.

It's a little bit of a haul but there is a guy in Auburn, NY who does classic cars. People come from hundreds of miles to have him work on their front ends. He did my Camaro and did a good job.

Tom - it's not too hard of a job - no interest in doing it yourself?

I figure the lowers won't be bad, it's the uppers I'm not sure I want to tackle if they are needed as well. If they are needed, I hope I only need the lowers. I figure I can do those with a little help. A fellow chevelle owner I know through snowmobiling said the entire ball joint job is a real PITA, so that is why I'm starting to look around, just in case I need to go the "full route". We'll see I guess. Tom.

The uppers are actually a litlle easier since you can do it without special tools - the lowers are easier if you have a ball joint press.....

The uppers are actually a litlle easier since you can do it without special tools - the lowers are easier if you have a ball joint press.....

I agree the uppers are grind off rivets bolt in new ones. The lowers can also be done at home but if you bring them to a shop just to get the old ones pressed out and the new ones pressed in it would save allot of trouble looking for a reputable shop

I guess the question is what are the odds it's one or the other or both? Thanks fellas. Tom.

We'll - IMO - if you are going through the process of seperating the spindle from either one, you might as well change them both.

We'll - IMO - if you are going through the process of seperating the spindle from either one, you might as well change them both.
I agree -as long as it is apart, might want to do new springs/shocks, and any other front end stuff. If you just want to do the ball joints that is fine, and they really are not that bad.You can rent a lower puller, the upper grind the rivits and bang a few times , just make sure the coil spring is secure!

Toatally concur, if you're removing the springs do a complete overhaul of the front end. It's not that expensive and not that difficult. To just change the lowers is like changing the oil and not the filter. Do it all in one whack!

I would look closely at the control arm bushings too by the way...

I would look closely at the control arm bushings too by the way...


I agree, if you replace the things that are made easier by already having to do the ball joints you save the hassel of paying to have it done in a year or so. It all depends on if they have been replaced already and the shape they are in. The car will drive like brand new and last for a very long time.

Steve

I agree as well. If you got the front end up, DO EVERYTHING.