Upper Ball Joints - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

rossco100 · 11-05-2010, 05:41 PM

Hey, I had a shop tell me some big prices for changing an upper ball joint, pitman arm, and an idler arm on my 96 chevy 1/2 ton 4x4. The parts only add up to about 150 bucks but they wana charge me about 700. I've got a split fork, and air and everything. Is there anything I don't know about that I should, before I start this undertaking? I heard the ball joints might be riveted in is that correct? And how hard is it to change the pitman and idler arm?

Thanks.

95 S_Trucker · 11-05-2010, 05:53 PM

700 isnt out of line for a shop to do all that work. you need a pitman arm puller to get the pitman arm off, or you can cut it with a wizz-wheel and knock it off with a chisel, but there is a chance you can damage the steering box that way, and the upper balljoints are rivited in. the idlerarm just bolts on. and you will need an alignment when you are done with everything

jrr344 · 11-05-2010, 08:18 PM

You will need two different fork one for tie rods and one for ball joints (it is wider), You will also need a pitman arm puller, but all this can be got at a parts store. I usually grind the tops of the rivets off and either drive them out with a punch or drill them out.

benoit454 · 11-05-2010, 08:53 PM

parts are cheap, alot cheaper then $150 for a pitman, idler and 2 uppers. Try rockauto for my 88 they are like $15-30 a piece on uppers and around the same for an idler and pitman arm.

You can rent the tools from any parts store such as autozone, advance etc. It may be expensive but you get it all back. It's going to cost us $100 to rent a lower ball joint press for my old mans 84 c10, but you get it back when you return it.

Uppers are easy grind the head off, chisel the head off, cut off wheel whatever then use a punch to knock them thru, and you're pretty much done, maybe tap the bal joint a few to free it up but that's about it. The new ones bolt in, and have you checked yours? They may have been changed and are bolted in, if so unbolt and throw on the new one.

You most definately need an alignment after idler and pitman arm work.

scotts62 · 11-06-2010, 03:47 PM

Wow if they are getting $700 to do them then im dirt cheap

$50 each plus parts but it doesnt take too long really..

11-05-2010, 05:41 PM	#1
rossco100 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bozeman, MT Posts: 2	Upper Ball Joints Hey, I had a shop tell me some big prices for changing an upper ball joint, pitman arm, and an idler arm on my 96 chevy 1/2 ton 4x4. The parts only add up to about 150 bucks but they wana charge me about 700. I've got a split fork, and air and everything. Is there anything I don't know about that I should, before I start this undertaking? I heard the ball joints might be riveted in is that correct? And how hard is it to change the pitman and idler arm? Thanks.

11-05-2010, 05:53 PM	#2
95 S_Trucker Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: . Posts: 2,179	Re: Upper Ball Joints 700 isnt out of line for a shop to do all that work. you need a pitman arm puller to get the pitman arm off, or you can cut it with a wizz-wheel and knock it off with a chisel, but there is a chance you can damage the steering box that way, and the upper balljoints are rivited in. the idlerarm just bolts on. and you will need an alignment when you are done with everything

11-05-2010, 08:18 PM	#3
jrr344 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: dixon springs,tn Posts: 35	Re: Upper Ball Joints You will need two different fork one for tie rods and one for ball joints (it is wider), You will also need a pitman arm puller, but all this can be got at a parts store. I usually grind the tops of the rivets off and either drive them out with a punch or drill them out.

11-05-2010, 08:53 PM	#4
benoit454 Chris Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Monaville, WV Posts: 3,737	Re: Upper Ball Joints parts are cheap, alot cheaper then $150 for a pitman, idler and 2 uppers. Try rockauto for my 88 they are like $15-30 a piece on uppers and around the same for an idler and pitman arm. You can rent the tools from any parts store such as autozone, advance etc. It may be expensive but you get it all back. It's going to cost us $100 to rent a lower ball joint press for my old mans 84 c10, but you get it back when you return it. Uppers are easy grind the head off, chisel the head off, cut off wheel whatever then use a punch to knock them thru, and you're pretty much done, maybe tap the bal joint a few to free it up but that's about it. The new ones bolt in, and have you checked yours? They may have been changed and are bolted in, if so unbolt and throw on the new one. You most definately need an alignment after idler and pitman arm work. __________________ Chris GIT R DONE!!!!!! Check out all our rides, http://www.cardomain.com/id/benwa454

11-06-2010, 03:47 PM	#5
scotts62 One day... Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tuttle, Ok Posts: 9,240	Re: Upper Ball Joints Wow if they are getting $700 to do them then im dirt cheap $50 each plus parts but it doesnt take too long really.. __________________ Scott 93 crew cab build Project 62



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