Lower Ball joints on a Suburban

[guybb3]

Anybody done these? Are they pressed in or??

 

[bk95td]

Pretty easy to see if they are bolt in. There will be 4- 12mm bolts sticking down. The pressed in ones usually have a forged end on the lower a-arm.

 

[great white]

1500 4x4?

I'm wiling to bet they're riveted if original, bolted if they've been replaced.

Forged arms are pressed in, but they came on 3/4 tons in the pickups. Not sure how it worked in a Sub.

Quick peek underneath will tell the tale:

If they're stamped steel/welded arms - rivets/bolts

Forged - pressed

 

[6.2 turbo]

My 96 Tahoe has press in lowers.

 

[great white]

My 96 Tahoe has press in lowers.

4x4 or 2wd?

 

[6.2 turbo]

1500 4x4, 4 door.

 

[great white]

1500 4x4, 4 door.

well there ya go, learn something new everyday...

 

[Yachtcare]

According to the Rock Auto catalog, 1996 K1500 Burb (and Tahoe as well) came with both forged and stamped lower arms(obviously not on the same vehicle). So you'll have to visually inspect to see which you have.

 

[Big T]

My son just did this on the '95, so it must be a piece of cake.):h

 

[guybb3]

Thanks guys. I got a bunch of info from Jrsavoie's thread also!!

 

[mitchedo]

Well, if you're drilling out rivets, be careful. I busted a drill bit that was big enough I didn't think I could bust it when I was doing mine, and the end still in the drill made a nice hole in the palm of my hand.

I should'a propped the control arm on a jackstand instead of holding it with one hand and drilling rivets with the other.

Luckily, it only cost me $45 or so to get my hand stitched up.