Ball joint removal and install tool for GM vehicles

[Frank S]

I am rebuilding the entire front end of a GMC 2500 HD 4x4
To replace the lower ball joints I needed some special tools and had to make a unique set up to press them out
I started out by cutting the coupling from a piece of 2 3/8" oil field tubing

Then machined the threads out of 1 end to fit over the flange of the ball joint.


Then machined the Id of the tubing stub to fit over the od rubber boot this is also the same diameter as the boss that presses into the control arm


Next comes the set up. since I have a metal break punch permanently mounted to my shop press I suspended the bottom die under the punch with rubber tarp straps so I would have a flat pressing surface

After getting everything aligned up and ready to press the ball joint out

I noticed that the arm did not have a flat surface around half of the ball joint flange

I needed a way to keep the arm from cocking up on one side to do this I used my 16" heavy duty C clamp to hold it down

Maxed out the 8 ton hydraulic jack added just a little heat and this is the position everything wound up when the ball joint slipped out of the control arm

pressing the new joint in place only required the tool and a simple 1/2" cylindrical spacer under the arm