Ball joints are one of the key parts of any modern suspension system, a functional part of the steering. When ball joints wear out, they can cause alignment issues and, in some cases, accidents. It's important to keep ball joints in good condition. Replacing them is neither easy nor fun, but it can be done with some time and the right tools. For this example, we'll be referring to the upper ball joint on a '95 Chevrolet truck, but the lower ball joint is the same basic process.
Jack up the front of the vehicle and secure it on jackstands. Remove the wheels and set to the side.
Pull the cotter pin out of the castle nut that holds the ball joint to the spindle.
Unbolt the castle nut that holds the upper ball joint in place.
Pound the ball joint separator with the mallet to break the upper ball joint free from the upper arm.
Unbolt the tie rod end and tilt the spindle aside so that you have access to the upper ball joint. Now it's time to take it out.
Place the ball joint press onto the ball joint so that the cup of the press is underneath the ball joint.
Slowly tighten the ball joint press so that the end of the ball joint is pushed down into the cup.
Continue tightening the press until the ball joint drops into the cup.
Place the new ball joint into the control arm where the old one was previously. Some ball joints are directional; if it is, make sure it's going in the same direction as the previous one.
Use the press to push the ball joint back into the control arm. Once it's in all the way, you're done.
