The 2001 Chevy Silverado truck series came in two numbered series; the 1500 light duty truck and the 2500 heavy duty series. Both came with a variety of engine and option packages. However, the replacement of lower ball joints doesn't differ across these different versions until you get into the four-wheel-drive models. The ball joints allow the wheels to stay as perpendicular to the road as possible while the upper and lower control arms move and down as you drive.
Raise the vehicle, and chock one rear wheel front and back. Remove the front wheels. Remove the inner fender covers.
Remove the shock absorbers. Use a smaller wrench to hold the shock strut from turning as you loosen the nut. There are two bolts in the lower control arm. Remove the stabilizer shaft from the lower control arm.
Install the spring compressor through the middle of the spring. Hook the upper arms over the highest coil possible and the lower arms under the lowest coil possible. Turn the compression bolt clockwise with a wrench until tension is removed from the lower control arm. Wrap the chain around the compressed spring at least twice and secure it with the ¼-inch bolt and nut.
Remove the cotter pin in the lower ball joint stud by straightening it then pulling it out with the long-nose pliers. Remove the lower ball joint nut with a wrench. Insert the pickle fork between the lower control arm and steering knuckle and strike it sharply with the hammer until the knuckle separates from the control arm.
Remove the lower control arm-to-frame bolts, removing the rear nuts and bolts first. Hold the bolts with a wrench while turning the nuts with the ratchet and a socket. Remove the control arm and compressed coil spring.
Secure the control arm in the vise upside down. Hold the center punch in the center of each rivet securing the ball joint to the control arm and strike the center punch sharply with the hammer. Drill out the three rivets.
Insert the new ball joint into the control arm and secure it with the three supplied nuts and bolts. Torque the nuts to the specification supplied with the ball joint.
Reassemble the suspension by reversing Steps 1 through 7. Be sure to reinstall the front lower control arm to frame bolt first. Torque all bolts to specification (see Tips). Torque the ball joint to the listed value and insert the cotter pin. If the holes don't line up, tighten the nut only enough to make them line up. Bend the cotter pin over the stud or around the nut.
