First off, this is my first project car I have ever taken on. Having a blast I just get stuped once in a while. First of all I got the upper control arm off-how do the ball joints get replaced? Are they pressed on, am I better off taking the cont. arm in to have the b joint r&r? Secondly, is there anytutorials on how to remove the lower a arm? I'm guessing that to change that ball joint it is easier to change it with the cont. arm removed. Is the front spring a prblem while removing this cont arm? That in a nutshell is what concerns me is the spring. Long questions I know but thanks for taking the time to help me...God Bless....Marcus

This is a picture is worth a thousand words kinda question.

The latest newstand copy of Car Craft has a section on rebuilding a front suspnsion that you can check out.

The upper ball joints are rivited in (if original). You drill off the top of the rivets and the ball joint is free. Reinstall a new one with supplied bolts.

The lower is pressed out. You need a press or a "c-clamp tool". Might be worth $15-20 for a shop to change 'em once you have the arm out.

I just dropped a set of springs from a small block 66 Chevelle, just using a jack. But some prefer spring compressors.

Best advice, Get a manual (always RTFM first). :D

Thank you very much for the suggestions. I will check out he mag. The ball joints are riveted so again thank you.

Like DG said get a manual,I just dropped a pair of coil springs in my 67 BB Malibu and used a KD#3450 coil spring compressor and a ball joint separator.If you can rent the tools, but if you buy them it will cost about $75.00,Once you get started, its not as hard as you think.

Try to replace the ball joints on the vechicle unless you also need to replace the upper and lower control arm bushings... I just finished doing this job on my 71 Chevelle... I had to drop my passenger side header and the steering shaft that connects to my gearbox was unbolted and moved away in order for me to drop my upper A-arms...That meant I had to go out and get a set of header gaskets but a set of extras always do come in handy...I also had to use a spring compression tool to remove and install the front coil springs...I would inspect the A arm busings also they are very inexpensive to replace and make a big difference...Also dont forget about sway bar frame and end link bushings once again very cheap...This rebuild I just finished made a world of difference on the way my Velle handles :D 71 Chevelle 350 V8

mk,
For the lower control arms, go to autozone and rent the tools you need for free. Its cost 100 bucks to take the tools but you get the 100 bucks back upon return.

Here is an easy guide to a front end replacement!
http://www.employees.org/~redneck/carstuff/front_procedure.htm
It's good stuff to copy and keep.


Rocky

Marcus,

Be sure to torque the lower arms bolts, once the car is fully on the ground. I once torqued them while the wheels were off the ground, and the coil spring could not compress properly.

Tom

Thanks tas I surely would have torqued them the wrong way if not for you reply. That's why I as here. I have never been let down yet. Thank you all so much.

Rocks66ss, thanks for the link to the suspension page. This gives great step by step instructions.
Grover