GM 2500 ball joint UPDATE
Approaching 160k on the truck, and the ball joints have never been replaced. I know GM ball joints have typically lasted longer than the other big 2 brands, but curious how many miles you guys have o...
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BurbMan wrote:
Just finished installing new ball joints, tie rods and control arm bushings. Wound up replacing the entire upper control arms, since they are stamped steel and deformed quite a bit when attempting to press in new bushings. Lowers are cast and I was able to press in new bushings and ball joints.
Right at 160k now and the BJs had surprisingly little wear. If you moved the stud around the socket they felt tight, but when placed in it's "normal" position where it spends most of it's time, there was a little play. Maybe a 1/16". Nowheres close to being "bad", but hoping to tighten up the front end a little overall.
The lower BJs were a bear....I would have used a stick of dynamite had I had one handy. After I snapped the handle off the pickle fork, all I had left was the ol' heat and beat, and they both finally came loose. My BJ separator tool didn't have enough span to reach down to the end of the stud, so couldn't use it. Off to get an alignment this morning and see how she drives.
I had the same fun day at the carport changing them out on my last Ram. But the satisfaction of the results made it worth the effort.
