Bolt in Lower ball joint

Hello all,

first post. I have searched for a while and had some questions if you don’t mind. I am rebuilding from end on 1988 sierra k1500 4x4.

I checked and my lowers BJs appear to be bolted in. Do I still need a BJ press to get these in and out?

I also need to level front end out with the torsion keys that I bought. Do I need to use a torsion bar loading tool to install these?

I also am doing hubs, front brakes and CV joints.

I think I have all the parts and tools I need, just didnt want to not have something I needed.

thanks all!

On the ball joints all you need to do is remove the rivets/bolts that hold them in and smack them with a hammer and they should come out. No press needed for removal or install. You don't need keys to level the front of these trucks. The stock keys will raise the front 3 inches give or take. If your dead set on using the keys you bought yes you will need the tool to unload the torsion bars so that you can remove them to remove the keys.

smdk2500 said:

On the ball joints all you need to do is remove the rivets/bolts that hold them in and smack them with a hammer and they should come out. No press needed for removal or install. You don't need keys to level the front of these trucks. The stock keys will raise the front 3 inches give or take. If your dead set on using the keys you bought yes you will need the tool to unload the torsion bars so that you can remove them to remove the keys.

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Thank you for your reply. I am hoping that these are just bolted in and have no rivets. I didn’t see any at glance.

front end rebuild should be fun.
Gonna leave the pitman arm in as there is a cross member in the way, even though I bought the dam socket set. Also adding water pump to the list of repairs. I will try the stock keys first before using new ones

The front end isn't to bad. Just hope that they have been replaced before for a even eaiser job. if there still riveted its not much harder just a pain to deal with the rivets. For the pitman arm when I worked in a auto repair place that did front end rebuilds we would unbolt the gear box from the frame so that it would move over enough to get the puller on. It sucks but that is they only way I can see to get in there.

Earthworm said:

Thank you for your reply. I am hoping that these are just bolted in and have no rivets. I didn’t see any at glance.

front end rebuild should be fun.
Gonna leave the pitman arm in as there is a cross member in the way, even though I bought the dam socket set. Also adding water pump to the list of repairs. I will try the stock keys first before using new ones

Click to expand...

The rivets r a real PITA, I usually bring off the tops and use my air chisel with a tapered bit and push them through from the top. That's actually the easier part, I usually end up having to spread the control arm pocket up and down around the ball joint and it's just plain patients to get the damn thing out. For your sake I hope it's been replaced already cause it makes it ALOT easier. Sometimes I even use a torch to heat things up and bend them around to make it easier to get the ball joint out.

While you're in there, don't forget to install fresh control arm bushings. Originals are GUARANTEED to be bad. These trucks are old enough that they could be replaced once, and be bad again.

My choice is Polyurethane. Easier to install, no special tools needed beyond a propane torch. The upper bushings are a problem, though, if your inner sleeves are corroded like mine were. I had to fabricate new inner sleeves for the upper bushings.