2003 Silverado 2500hd 4x4 6.0 ball joint swap

Counts63028 · December 16, 2014

I know that GM sell uper and lower control arms with ball joints already there. I'm wondering how hard it is to just change the ball joints alone?

LouieC · January 6, 2015

If they are the same type as my 1500 they are riveted ... It was a pain cutting the tops off and drilling them out about 3 hrs per side in my garage the new ones bolt right in getting them separated is another story I installed a 3 in lift so I was using new spindles and just left the old ball joints in the old spindles ...tried to remove them with no luck I am going to bring them in to get them separated ...

gmtech4 · January 7, 2015

I know that GM sell uper and lower control arms with ball joints already there. I'm wondering how hard it is to just change the ball joints alone?

Yours are NOT riveted ,

You need a ball joint removal/installer kit ,

Shop time , it's not worth buying the kit for a one time repair

Or buy the control arm /ballpoint assembly and put that in

Counts63028 · January 7, 2015

Update: Took the cheap way out. I decided that I had nothing but time on my hands and just replaced the ball joints alone. On my 2500hd there were NO rivets at all, NO spot welds I was very lucky. It was simple as ordering my parts from Summit Racing. I ordered Moog parts. Went to my local Orielly's to rent the ball joint press. What a pain after hours of trying with out the old joint even budging. Come to find out the press that they gave me was bent due some A-hole not having a clue how to use the tool properly. Once I figured out that was the problem and I swapped it out for a straight tool. It was a breeze. Only took about 30mins to take out and replace upper and lower ball joints without having to bend over for chevy for new control arms. Also I marked very carefully and put a new outer tie rod at the aame time and managed to not need an alignment. Lucky, drives straight as an arrow without and change in steering wheel.

gmtech4 · January 8, 2015

I didn't know tools can be rented ,

And aftermarket makes upper control arm /ball joint assemblies as well as OEM, not sure of cost difference

Counts63028 · January 8, 2015

Yes most big name auto parts stores rent ball joint presses. It's alittle costly at first to rent them. I rented the ball joint press and there was another set of accessories that I needed to use with the press. Initially it was around $180 total out of pocket to rent, but when I returned the tools after I was done the money comes back to you. The upper control arms are around $150-$200 each. So each side if you do upper and lower control arms your looking at $300-400 per side. The ball joints alone are much cheaper ( Moog upper $50ish, Moog lower $40ish ) they were the cheapest though Summit Racing. Local part stores wanted an arm and a leg. So ultimately I saved a crap load by going the route I took. Don't let anyone tell you dif.