There is a clunk increasing in intensity over time that comes from the front left wheel when I am backing out of a parking spot or making low speed turns. There is also mild vibtation of that side of the hood at highway speeds and I can hear the ball joint when I shake the wheel by hand. I just read an article in Popular Mechanics that said not to delay fixing this problem, or you can get into a severe accident from the wheel falling off. I am freaking out. I do not have the time or know-how to fix the problem myself, and although I work at a GMC dealer, it may sound crazy but we don't have time to mess with employee vehicles and when I brought it in under a customer ticket for some work it got put on the backburner because it's mine and it's not a priority. My best bet is to have my wife (carefully) take it somewhere else to be fixed one day soon while I drive her car to work. Any advice about this situation? I want to get ball joints that have a grease fitting, and I want both sides replaced properly. Are ball joints only in the front? Where can I go in Miami to have this done right? Thanks.
Ball joints trying to kill me and the Sy??? :(
- Thread starter rxsyclone
- Start date
Syclone#2960
What ever it takes!!
Re: Ball joints trying to kill me and the Sy??? 
You better get ready to open up the wallet. If those are the original BJ's, it is a pita to get them off.
THe clunk noise is probally the torsion bar mounts located under the doors where the torsion bars end.You can by those at Pep Girls or you can order everything from Tucker Auto Parts on this board. You are going to need an allinment afterwords. I ordered a front end suspension kit from PST for $239 shipped and it came with all (4) ball joints plus a few other things that you should replace since you are all ready working on replacing the front suspensiont. Are the inside tire treads wearing out?
You better get ready to open up the wallet. If those are the original BJ's, it is a pita to get them off.
THe clunk noise is probally the torsion bar mounts located under the doors where the torsion bars end.You can by those at Pep Girls or you can order everything from Tucker Auto Parts on this board. You are going to need an allinment afterwords. I ordered a front end suspension kit from PST for $239 shipped and it came with all (4) ball joints plus a few other things that you should replace since you are all ready working on replacing the front suspensiont. Are the inside tire treads wearing out?
Flyin Ryan
hated cuz he drives fords
Re: Ball joints trying to kill me and the Sy???
Yup costly little bastards they are.. You have to drill out each rivit if they are the originals
Yup costly little bastards they are.. You have to drill out each rivit if they are the originals
SYO237
SyTy Registry
Re: Ball joints trying to kill me and the Sy???
I gave you contact info in your other post you asked for.
An estimate on price for doing full front suspension work: Ball Joints, Tie rod ends, pitman arm, torsion bar mounts, alignment.... get ready to drop $800-1200... not to mention your in Miami as well :squint:
Its somewhat easy work, but like said above, its a PITA since all the balljoints are riveted in from the factory. You have to grind and punch out the rivets... and we arent talking little rivets like what the cladding uses.
I also have the PST kit and like it alot. Just be sure to use alot of lithium grease on everything so you dont squeak down the road on every little crack.
Heres the contact info again:
Gary Shanock - GAShanock@aol.com
Hes a Miami local and knows all the dealers or shops to trust enough to take your truck too. Hes a wealth of knowledge for the trucks, so if you have any questions, im sure he can answer them.
I gave you contact info in your other post you asked for.
An estimate on price for doing full front suspension work: Ball Joints, Tie rod ends, pitman arm, torsion bar mounts, alignment.... get ready to drop $800-1200... not to mention your in Miami as well :squint:
Its somewhat easy work, but like said above, its a PITA since all the balljoints are riveted in from the factory. You have to grind and punch out the rivets... and we arent talking little rivets like what the cladding uses.
I also have the PST kit and like it alot. Just be sure to use alot of lithium grease on everything so you dont squeak down the road on every little crack.
Heres the contact info again:
Gary Shanock - GAShanock@aol.com
Hes a Miami local and knows all the dealers or shops to trust enough to take your truck too. Hes a wealth of knowledge for the trucks, so if you have any questions, im sure he can answer them.
MyTyphoon1993
Active member
Re: Ball joints trying to kill me and the Sy???
Go to www.jptuning.com
They are buddys of big al and they quoted me $500 with me including the pst kit I have. But I dont know if that price is cause a buddy of mines had some suspension work there done to his car. My buddy does everything on his car except that, they are the only ones he'd trust with his car as far as suspension work goes.
Go to www.jptuning.com
They are buddys of big al and they quoted me $500 with me including the pst kit I have. But I dont know if that price is cause a buddy of mines had some suspension work there done to his car. My buddy does everything on his car except that, they are the only ones he'd trust with his car as far as suspension work goes.
0966Sy
Code what?
Re: Ball joints trying to kill me and the Sy???
When you shake the wheel, are you shaking it from top to bottom or from side to side. Of corse this can only be done with the front wheels of the ground. Try doing this again and next time try shaking it both ways and look behind the wheel at the steering linkage and ball joints as you do so and you should be able to spot the bad ball joint or steering component. From your description to me it sounds like it is a bad tie rod end. This is most likley the cuase if you are shaking the wheel from side to side (front and back). A upper or lower ball joint will give more of a loose feeling from shaking it from top and bottom (the cladding arch side and and ground side).
possible causes could be, tie rod ends, ball joints, and idler arm. If you work at a GM dealer and can not perform this kinda work yourself then take it to a reliable steering and suspention technician and have him look at it for you while your at work. If you fill out a workorder then you are a customer too. It will only need an alighnment after steering component work, not upper and lower ball joints. Replacing a control arm ball joint should be left for someone qualified to do the job becuase being done wrong can result in a bad accident.
rxsyclone said:
When you shake the wheel, are you shaking it from top to bottom or from side to side. Of corse this can only be done with the front wheels of the ground. Try doing this again and next time try shaking it both ways and look behind the wheel at the steering linkage and ball joints as you do so and you should be able to spot the bad ball joint or steering component. From your description to me it sounds like it is a bad tie rod end. This is most likley the cuase if you are shaking the wheel from side to side (front and back). A upper or lower ball joint will give more of a loose feeling from shaking it from top and bottom (the cladding arch side and and ground side).
possible causes could be, tie rod ends, ball joints, and idler arm. If you work at a GM dealer and can not perform this kinda work yourself then take it to a reliable steering and suspention technician and have him look at it for you while your at work. If you fill out a workorder then you are a customer too. It will only need an alighnment after steering component work, not upper and lower ball joints. Replacing a control arm ball joint should be left for someone qualified to do the job becuase being done wrong can result in a bad accident.
Re: Ball joints trying to kill me and the Sy???
Just Buy The Upper And Lower Arms I Have For Sale In Another Post. They Have All New Pst Bushings And Moog Joints Already Installed.all 4 Tie Rods And Sleeves Only 3 Mos Old.installed....but Never Driven On.. I'm Going Coilover....save You The Hassle Of Drilling The Old Ball's Out And A Whole Lot Of Other Pain In The Ass Work.just Have Someone Swap Out The Upper And Lower Arms And Tie Rods.
Probably Want To Replace The Sway Bar Bushings While Your There Buts Thats The Easy Part.
Just Buy The Upper And Lower Arms I Have For Sale In Another Post. They Have All New Pst Bushings And Moog Joints Already Installed.all 4 Tie Rods And Sleeves Only 3 Mos Old.installed....but Never Driven On.. I'm Going Coilover....save You The Hassle Of Drilling The Old Ball's Out And A Whole Lot Of Other Pain In The Ass Work.just Have Someone Swap Out The Upper And Lower Arms And Tie Rods.
Probably Want To Replace The Sway Bar Bushings While Your There Buts Thats The Easy Part.
Re: Ball joints trying to kill me and the Sy???
Yes, the inside treads are slightly worn. I want to order everything to refresh the parts that are causing the problem, or are likely to fail soon.
SYO237, I e-mailed Gary and he responded already. I will visit the shop he recommended, although I was hoping not to have to leave my truck too long.
MyTyphoon1993, I visited the JP webpage. It's nice, but a bit Hialeah is a bit too far and I want to go with someone SyTy and/or suspencion specific. Thanks.
0966 Sy, thanks for the info, I will replace all surrounding components anyway.
Syclone#2960 said:
Yes, the inside treads are slightly worn. I want to order everything to refresh the parts that are causing the problem, or are likely to fail soon.
SYO237, I e-mailed Gary and he responded already. I will visit the shop he recommended, although I was hoping not to have to leave my truck too long.
MyTyphoon1993, I visited the JP webpage. It's nice, but a bit Hialeah is a bit too far and I want to go with someone SyTy and/or suspencion specific. Thanks.
0966 Sy, thanks for the info, I will replace all surrounding components anyway.
Re: Ball joints trying to kill me and the Sy???
Sounds interesting, why are you going coilover, and how come you don't need those parts for coilovers (sorry, I'm ignorant, when I went coilover in my RX7 I didn't have to change anything but sprigs and shocks). How much are you asking and what do the rest of you think about this idea? Thanks a lot for all the help, I need to fix this problem soon
CKEITH said:
Sounds interesting, why are you going coilover, and how come you don't need those parts for coilovers (sorry, I'm ignorant, when I went coilover in my RX7 I didn't have to change anything but sprigs and shocks). How much are you asking and what do the rest of you think about this idea? Thanks a lot for all the help, I need to fix this problem soon
Re: Ball joints trying to kill me and the Sy???
250.00 shipped.hell the lower joints are 50.00 ea.tie rods are 40.00.ea. let me know...
250.00 shipped.hell the lower joints are 50.00 ea.tie rods are 40.00.ea. let me know...
mattw
Active member
Re: Ball joints trying to kill me and the Sy???
Agreed.. Its not really a hard job at all.. I think I can replace a ball joint in ~45minutes anymore(provided its not a stocker rivited in place)..
I guess that comes from driving a S10 for way to many years...
-Matt
NecroWolf said:
Agreed.. Its not really a hard job at all.. I think I can replace a ball joint in ~45minutes anymore(provided its not a stocker rivited in place)..
I guess that comes from driving a S10 for way to many years...
-Matt
Re: Ball joints trying to kill me and the Sy???
Thnx Erik,
Did'nt Want Anyone To Think I Was Trying To Shit The Guy.
Thnx Erik,
Did'nt Want Anyone To Think I Was Trying To Shit The Guy.
Re: Ball joints trying to kill me and the Sy???
Thanks, I am going for it. They are stock, and I've never owned a truck or anything other than a Mazda period. Sounds like the best way to fix my problem fast. I want to remain close to stock, maybe 12 seconds with minor bolt-ons, so I will not be modifying the suspension. Please let me know how I can contact you. I will pay you extra to overnight the parts. I was crazy enough to depend on this poor Sy as a daily driver, hell I've been daily driving a heavily modded 3rd gen RX7 for years and it still runs while these stupid balljoints got the best of me.
786-312-4065
786-317-6022
both of these are MetroPCS and have terrible reception
Best way to get a hold of me is either through the forum, or e-mail
10000rpm@bellsouth.net
Your price is fair and I appreciate the opportunity to fix my beloved truck without major headache and expense, much less leaving it in some shop for days. (NO WAY)
Roland
Thanks, I am going for it. They are stock, and I've never owned a truck or anything other than a Mazda period. Sounds like the best way to fix my problem fast. I want to remain close to stock, maybe 12 seconds with minor bolt-ons, so I will not be modifying the suspension. Please let me know how I can contact you. I will pay you extra to overnight the parts. I was crazy enough to depend on this poor Sy as a daily driver, hell I've been daily driving a heavily modded 3rd gen RX7 for years and it still runs while these stupid balljoints got the best of me.
786-312-4065
786-317-6022
both of these are MetroPCS and have terrible reception
Best way to get a hold of me is either through the forum, or e-mail
10000rpm@bellsouth.net
Your price is fair and I appreciate the opportunity to fix my beloved truck without major headache and expense, much less leaving it in some shop for days. (NO WAY)
Roland
Re: Ball joints trying to kill me and the Sy???
You Know How This Works....if You Are Going To Replace It On These Trucks Then You Need And I Repeat Need To Use The Best. Thats Why I Choose Moog...why U Bustin My Balls On The Price Anyway U Are Not Buying Them.by The Way I Have Reciepts That Show 400.00 Just In The Damn Parts Alone.all He Has To Do Is Remove The Old Ones And Put The New Ones In. I Know This Is A Lot Less Work.
You Know How This Works....if You Are Going To Replace It On These Trucks Then You Need And I Repeat Need To Use The Best. Thats Why I Choose Moog...why U Bustin My Balls On The Price Anyway U Are Not Buying Them.by The Way I Have Reciepts That Show 400.00 Just In The Damn Parts Alone.all He Has To Do Is Remove The Old Ones And Put The New Ones In. I Know This Is A Lot Less Work.
Re: Ball joints trying to kill me and the Sy???
I think your price if fair. I need the parts (including the lower joints and tie rods) as soon as possible. Let me know how I can have them shipped here as fast as possible. I like the idea of a straight forward swap opposed to drilling out the stock ones. I would normally only purchase the best for this truck. I just had a situation where wheel bearings were cooked onto the axle of a 93 RX7 I was working on and it was MUCH easier to replace the complete assembly. I charged the guy $240 to fix it while someone else charged $300+ just to break the hub on a press.....
Please contact me ASAP
I think your price if fair. I need the parts (including the lower joints and tie rods) as soon as possible. Let me know how I can have them shipped here as fast as possible. I like the idea of a straight forward swap opposed to drilling out the stock ones. I would normally only purchase the best for this truck. I just had a situation where wheel bearings were cooked onto the axle of a 93 RX7 I was working on and it was MUCH easier to replace the complete assembly. I charged the guy $240 to fix it while someone else charged $300+ just to break the hub on a press.....
Please contact me ASAP
StangBuster
O well, I'll find another
Re: Ball joints trying to kill me and the Sy???
Sounds like Torsion Bar bushings, you should replace both top and bottom. I dont have a Ty yet but i've owned 3 '93 s-10 blazers. I replaced them on all 3.
Sounds like Torsion Bar bushings, you should replace both top and bottom. I dont have a Ty yet but i've owned 3 '93 s-10 blazers. I replaced them on all 3.