Ball Joints

[kyumanaz]

I need new ball joints on my 98 2dood/4wd Tahoe. The Uppers will be easy, but the lowers look like I will need to pull the hub. They are supposed to be pressed in. Anyone know how to do the lower ball joints? What size is the retaining nut? Mechanics want $400-$600 to do it, and I can't afford that. Maybe I'll just get it done in Mexico. And as a precaution to you all out there, stay away from Auto Zone. The parts do have a warranty, but how many times do you want to replace something????? Thanks.

 

[peterey2]

well the uppers will need to have the rivets holding the ball joint in drilled out to be removed. the lower ball joint is held in by a cotter pin on a retaining nut. they can be tricky to get the proper socket onto and turn but its nothing to be scared of.

as far as installation, both upper and lower need to be pressed in. i have always used a specailty tool that looks like a big C-clamp. but its got a notch in it for the grese fitting to sit into without getting damaged.

basically if u can find someone who can press them in, your set.

 

[kyumanaz]

Mine has regular bolts on the top, and it has to be removed upward, but the half shaft is in the way. This means that I have to remove the hub assembly to get the half shaft out of the way. I did the uppers about a year ago, and used Auto Zone ****, so now I get to redo the uppers, and lower ball joints. This time I bought heavy duty ball joints, with a lifetime warranty from Summit.

 

[peterey2]

nice. ya from the factory theyre rivoted in. all of the replacements have a bolt and nut that hold it on. you wont be disappointed with Summit's. F autozone. lol

 

[kyumanaz]

AutoZone, what good is a warranty if you have to use it three to four times. I am actually thinking about selling it soon, and buying a Cherokee. It is just to big for what I need it for "sand and rock".

 

[newmarketEOD]

I would recommend looking at your A-arm bushings while you have it apart. I kick my self in the ass a lot for not replacing mine when the front end was apart.

 

[kyumanaz]

Axles

Does anyone know what fron and rear axles are in the 98 tahoe?

 

[96Tahoe007]

I hear that about Auto Zone-a lot of cheap crap-I really could care less about warrantees-sell quality parts that last??- now have an Advanced up the street-use them a lot---also have a CAP/bumper to bumper/federated around the corner--nice to have choices

 

[peterey2]

Does anyone know what fron and rear axles are in the 98 tahoe?

you mean gear ratio?

im almost positve that the tow pakage Hoes got 3:73's and the non tow package got 3:42's

 

[Colabella7077]

Gear Ratio is 3.73 for 4x4

 

[peterey2]

true too. missed that.

 

[stonehenge]

Not to highjack this thread, but I have to replace my upper and lower ball joints in my 99' Tahoe 2door, 4x4, and another posted mentioned to check the A-arm bushings while its apart, anything else should be checked in that area while its apart.


Im the original owner and it has super low miles, not driven much, and not really sure what should be looked at while its apart?

thanks

 

[peterey2]

well, inner and outter tie rod ends, and torsion bar bushings. i heard that the torsoin bar bushings are a b!tch to replace tho!

 

[kyumanaz]

Check all tie rod ends, sway bar bushings, idler arm, pitman arm, and check your half shafts. Remember that just because the boot is damaged, doesn't mean that the shaft is bad. Many times it just needs to be re-greased and a new boot.