Hands down one of the best videos I've seen for suspension and steering repair. To the point, and just very nicely done. I am now a subscriber for sure.
I'm a musician, so I don't do mechanic work as a rule but I like to watch pros on YT when I do have an automotive issue. You are obviously a pro. Now I can get my truck in to the shop and know what I should be looking at time-wise. Thanks, good video.
Just browsing around for a 09 Tahoe upper control arm and lower ball joint replacement video. Watched this one all the way through and was quite entertained LOL. I bet the book time is 3 hrs or more per side and you were done in 31 minutes on one side. Good work man. Now back to my vehicle specific search.....I have a 3.5" body lift so I have to figure out the proper method to make it safe to do.
+Justin Sero sr Will do, I have too much fun doing them. My wife constantly tells me I'm playing around too much and feels like she needs to crack the whip. She keeps it up I'm going to start doing video pranks on her. Haha. Take care.
What a useful clip! You've got just the right combination of mechanical ability, clarity, efficiency, thoroughness and narrative skill to inspire DIY confidence from your viewers. Thanks a bunch!
AWESOME video. Thank you so much for this and your other videos. You'll save thousands of us busted knuckles, grey hairs and millions of $ from doing things wrong or just the hard way. It's easy to tell your a master mechanic.
Fantastic and entertaining video! With a little experience doing ball joints on other vehicles, this was helpful and encouraging to tackle this on my 2015 Silverado 2500. Having larger components I was a little skeptical of doing this job but you made it look fairly simple!
I do watch too many auto repair videos but that's just because I drive older vehicles and need to repair them. I'm about to rebuild the front end of my 2010 suburban. I like your style.
Your vids are some of the best on the interwebs; helped me with several big projects on my GMC and my Dodge; keep the great vids coming. Hope to stop in and see you at your shop soon as I just moved into Anchorage with my family.
Dude I was just going to buy new lower arms with the ball joint already pressed in but after watching what had to be the fastest upper and lower change I’ve ever seen I might just get the tool and replace just the joint. Kudos to you
"you can use a ball joint press to press this one out but I like to just beat the crap out out of it" LMAO, awesome! awesome channel, im subscribing. keep up the good work. i would have sworn that truck said something about your mother the way you took it apart.
Thank you for your video. It was informative and made me feel that if I had the right tools I can do the work myself. I grew up taking things apart with my father and miss his knowledge as well as my brother. I believe that I found there replacement in your videos. Bless you and I enjoyed the joking around. Sharon b
+Sharon Blubaugh Thank you. My father was a great teacher as well and always took the time to show us how to fix things. Surely part of the reason I am a mechanic now. He left a big hole in my life with his passing and I miss him a bunch. Thank you for watching.
Not sure if will fix my head but will fix my truck, is it similar on a half ton Chevy 4x4, well done never seen anyone beet the ball joint out with a hammer so fast👍. Nice work.
Another great video. You do the world a great service by putting relevant, intelligent, and coherent information out there. Your mannerisms are polite, your knowledge is extensive, and your tools are awesome....green handle Snap on....I LOVE that stuff. IR impact.....fugetaboutit....I already KNOW you KNOW what you're talking about. The best! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I can't believe you did this job in little over 1/2 an hour. I'm gonna go jump on mine right now. If I'm lucky, take me 1/2 a week...........
+jimy taylor Haha, I think you're probably selling yourself short on the time it will take you but there is something to say for having all the right tools equipment and cool shop to do it in. I sure appreciate all the complements, makes what I do even more rewarding and satisfying. Good luck with your suspension.
Great video! Garage quoted me $1500 for the upper and lower ball joints on my gmc sierra. Your video and $300 in parts and I'm all done. Wished I could have seen more of what was in front of you but I got enough to pull it off. Thanks again! Fyi the sierra had to have the cast caps ground off the lower ball joint, that was fun.
Thanks Doctor. About to install ball joints, inner/outer tie rods, Pittman and idler arms on 1995 k1500 fwd. Very helpful vedio as I'm a carpenter by trade. Have put new short block and transmission so this utube is great for info. Just need to find someone like you to show the proper instalation and ease that this type of project can be performed at. Now I'll search your channel for chevy steering linkage replacement. Again, very helpful and some humour too. Thanks again from central coast of California. George.
I just did this yesterday with your help. Thank you! I ended up having to grind away some crimped tabs from the old/original lower ball joint, but I did use the stress relieving technique of hitting the piss out of it with a hammer. And, you're right: I did feel better! I'm way slower than you are though; it took me 2 hours the first side and 1 hour the second side.
2006 Duramax. Changed lower ball joint today. It was a ball joint from Iran!!!! Had to drill 5 relief holes on edge of joint close to arm for it to give up the ghost. 2 hours of pounding until I started “thinking” how to get this out. Also changed upper ball joint. That came out and in like butter. Arm was in good shape just needed a new ball joint. Also changed Timken hub, knuckle seal and backing plate.
just did this on my 2007 Suburban, great video, helped a lot! Being in the rust belt (Phila) I had to use a reciprocating saw to cut the upper controll arm bolts. Could not get them to come out, used 2 cans wd40, torch, and even the ball joint clamp to press them out, just bent the bolt.
Thank you for the great advice I’m doing this exact job on my 96 suburban plus all the tie rods, the whole thing. This was unbelievably helpful. Thanks again Car Doctor.👍👍🇺🇸🇨🇦
Car Doctor! thanks so much for this video. My passenger side lower BJ gave out while taking a right turn night before last on my '08 Hoe. I didn't have the luxury of power tools/ lift. unfortunately, let alone the proper tools (my neighbors provided). one jack, hand tools, a broken ball joint, an incorrect replacement ball joint (installed before realizing wrong one BC of longer threading) from A-Zone, a few beers, I replaced the upper and lower BJs, upper control arms. and breaks while I was there on both side of the front end. I will be taking it for an alignment tomorrow afternoon. My biggest issue was the springs. I couldn't follow along there, but I realized taking the strut off the lower control arm allowed me to move the springs just enough to get the bolts out of the upper control arm and replace. Great video none the less, I've subscribed to your channel. Thanks!!
Susanne Minogue , can be a source for noise but usually tends to be more of a creaking type noise than a squeak. Check bushings and dry joints for noise by using a long screwdriver held up to your ear while someone bounces on the suspension. Good luck with the fix!
car doc I have a question. hopefully you can help. I have a 06 trailblazer have a rear-end noise assuming wheel bearing. they have repair bearings for this application. it's wider then oem do you know if Iwill have a clearance issue when trying to put the c-clip back in the differential?
I believe the repair bearings work with the original shafts and retainers but I haven't used one on this application so don't take my word for it. Probably need to consult the suppliers documentation for requirements.
+The Car Doctor Okay thank you very much for the response. Another reason I recommend your channel to everyone I know. I couldn't find much but I will just see you when I get in there. lol
The Car Doctor Hey I have a 95 Silverado One day I was helping my friend move out her apartment so I loaded my pick up till you couldn't fit another box, then when I started driving I noticed my truck turned to the right pretty bad if I let go of the steering wheel, then the next day while driving on the freeway my truck started shaking Real BAD from the RIGHT front wheel , then I drove slowly till I got home and noticed that my hub cap had fallen , there was smoke coming out, and my Rim was cracked!! Please help !!! Thank you !
Thanks for making this video as it gave me the info I needed to replace my lower ball joint & UCA for my Avalanche. The first side took all day but the second just a few hours....in the driveway!
Thanks Car Dr. I am about to do this a few other things while I am there. You made me have more confidence to do the Job. Dealer wanted $4,000 for everything I must do. Thanks again
I also lost my nuts in a previous marriage. Thanks for your video, although it doesn't apply specifically to the vehicle I'm working on, in general it's the best I've seen so far. You are a good man.
Really good instructional video. I learned a lot and saw things not to forget. I agree that doing the upper control arm is better than just the ball joint.
damn .... you reminded me of the Cowboys riding in the Rodeo where they chase down a cow and tie their feet together then throw their arms in the air when done😂 .... but it's probably gonna be the customer that throws his hands in the air at the costs of this repair😅... you definately deserve the prize money. Well done🙏
My God your Video certainly helped me determine for certain that I had been screwed and screwed good! I had 2500.00 worth of work done to my 1999 Tahoe at a Shop I had used for nearly 25 years but NOT lately my Friends so they didn't know that I have worked on Trucks and Equipment some of which weighed in at over 40,000 pounds! I have had Ball Joints Fail twice on the road and 1 Brake System fail on a 10 wheel truck that weighed in at over 30,000 pounds - Hydraulic Brakes at that during my approach to a Weigh Station Scale with a Tank Truck in Front of me! I took her off the road and got and ovation from other truckers at the Station for NOT hitting that Tank Truck with a Boom that stuck out over the front of that my Rig! My Friend's thus I became as versed in Mechanics as I could because the Brakes on the Truck had been to a Reputable Truck Brakes Shop at least once prior to that day! I was 19 and my Dad who owned the Truck had been in a Construction Accident just Prior so I had no Experience then my Friends but I do now.. The Rubber Boots were left off the Lower Ball Joint on the Driver's Side and both Boots on the Passenger Side were left off where NO grease could be applied then I was told that the bearing was sealed a Dang Lie. Cotter Pins were NOT reinstalled on the rest of the front end parts that were installed! NOW the 1st Job that I purchased a Week Earlier that I am yet to be Satisfied with a Complete Brake Job with a Master Cylinder that works and looks like the Devil is in Question because I reported a Leak upon return to the shop to have the front end work done! I am NOT going to name the Shop Today because I am NOT like that and Never had to be so they deserve it but not Today - 7 Days since the last visit. 4 Total Visits. I am yet to be Satisfied and I know better! These Videos are an Invaluable tool for people to be able to prove a point and these folks maybe trying to prove a point..My God that is so True. I am too,
May I say... Badass! I'm gonna say, you've done that a time or two before! Fixin' to do the whole front end and steering gear on my 2500HD... Hope it goes that easy! Thanks for the pro demo...
Thank you. Since you not having to beat book time or set any records you can take your time and finish knowing you saved yourself a huge chunk of cash and made your truck handle like new again. Good luck and take care.
You make this look like a walk in the park. Not going to be the same for me though. Lol. A very well explained and detailed video though, should save me a lot of time. Going to put mine on tomorrow. Definitely going to subscribe! Thanks for the video!
Ditto to the walk in the park kudos! As for editing things out, I had to watch it a 2nd time to see if it looked like there could have been a lot of heavy handed editing -- cuz you blaze through this in about a half hour when local yokels' book spec's 4-4.5 hrs for the chore -- but I don't SEE ANY MAGICAL PROGRESS when the meter's not running. WOW - this torqued my nut to think they have to try to ream me THIS bad! They need to watch this tutorial a few times, methinks! Anyway, here's MY question, on which I'd certainly like YOUR opinion: Given the extreme range of prices I find on simple ball joints for ye olde chibby - how on earth does one decide where to draw the line? I'm fairly sure that buying the cheapest will end up hurting before long, but the other extreme simply CANNOT be the only good stuff. Since the labor is this involved I'd rather not be repeating any time soon. Have ye anything to offer beyond the one name you did drop and the one you settled for? I hear you about the previous marriage. Clowns that ain't been there are likely to continue thinking that they're somehow ATTACHED - a mistake I made when I was yunger & dummer.
I stay away from low end parts but you'll probably be ok going with the premium line. The Moog brand is available on Amazon at reasonable prices. I have been banging out ball joints for the past 25 years and have some really expensive tools and equipment so I'm faster than the average tech. I don't charge less because I'm faster nor should a slow guy charge more because he took longer. I didn't torque every fastener properly in this video and for that I am embarrassed. Thank you for tuning in and sharing with your mechanic friends. 😀
Well, I'm taking the short break - getting warm again today (95 yesterday when I started). Needless to say I'm not anywhere NEAR your pace! My 99 Tahoe ain't perzactly like your vid, so some things are new territory. Trying to replace upper balljoint instead of entire c-arm so I don't need alignment, but that means trying to punch out 3 rivets (4th was a bolt). Then the lower has no circlip but it SEEMS brutally solid. Gonna go borrow a BF press to see if it will budge. All in all, lots more fun than I'd bargained for! Thanks for YOUR help, though!!!
So Doc - of all the expensive tools you mentioned - the ball joint press & fittings must be the most crucial to this operation, I'm thinking. At least that is what gave me the most hesitation, but rather than buying the standard starter set (that would NOT have what I need for this Tahoe in question) PLUS the extensive accessory kit that hopefully WOULD suffice, I borrowed/rented a standard set from TWO auto parts houses PLUS the extension set from one. Theoretically this MIGHT have gotten me there, but - NO - not yet, anyway. Failing to make any headway pressing the old one out, I finally just drove it out with a manly hammer. Now I've been fighting for a couple HOURS in a vain attempt to get the new one pressed in. So far I can't make any headway: I can't get it to start straight, so the amount of torque I've tried via the 3' lever on the screw has convinced me that it's NEVER going to straighten out. Don't suppose you've ever had trouble with a CHEVY like this? (I take it from your mention of FORD that this sort of thing might be expected therewith?) Anyway, this is stumping me, obviously, so I'm hoping this MIGHT catch your eye sometime soon (oh please, oh please... punch line from one of my all-time favorite FarSide cartoons - dog trying to catch the cat in the clothes dryer) Now, so far nuts still attached AFAIK. ?
Really good video, I think that you are a top quality mechanic! I just wished ya had other video recorders showing some of the things that I could not see while you were doing the wrenching in tight blind areas, But in all I think its a fantastic video! Thank You & God Be With Ya !!!!
+Bruce Brooker Thanks Bruce! Looking into some new cameras to do just that but need to run it by my production equipment expense manager (the wife) :) thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for this great video - clear - As I went along I wrote down the nut sizes and torque amounts (my memory being rather short) to speed things along. A grateful Canadian!
Called a tech when we did my sons ball joints and was having a trouble getting them out, he said "put the purse down and hit it". Had to share that one.
At 13:20 did the lower ball joint have a ring clip on the top? I am about to tackle my lower ball joints for the first time (07 silverado) and it looks like they need to be chiseled out? Or can I do it your way and relieve some pressure and beat the crap out of it? Nice video! Thanks for the help!
Just bought one of these monsters. Have to change out what you did on both sides. Already have my Moog heavy duty parts. Control arms and lower ball joints.
Hi CarDocter. I'm a designer & jack of all trades, except new to autos. ..Doing my 1st oil change now, and then on to a radiator flush with new thermostat. I have a v-6 4wd, 2008 Chevy Trailblazer bought from an auction a month ago which said it was a City Fleet vehicle. Looked perfectly clean under the hood, but with a host of mechanical issues uncovered after a trip to the mechanic. You've done a great job showing me lower ball joints & upper control arms. In what order can the following be grouped together to get all done in a way I can afford. Can't do all at one shop appt; 1. 4 new tires with TPMS Relearn front left wearing bad after 4500 cross country Phx-NC trip to search & rescue a caregiver pet 4 weeks ago; just days after the auction) 2. Oil Change 3. Engine mounts appeared to be cracked? Will check transmission at same time 4. Exhaust manifold assembly 5. Water Pump Assembly 6. Thermostat and gasket replacement with coolant flush 7. Transfer encoder motor (went in to 4wheel drive low and then popped out of it after mechanic looked at it? 8. Replace pinion seal and add fluid 9. Replace all shock/struts f & rear 10.Upper control arm bushings both sides 11. Drive axle Left front
Manika Manika Sorry for the delayed response; I was out of town working my commercial fishing business. You don't want to replace tires until you get the front end is fixed. Youll want to replace the front drive axle when you do the control arm work. Make sure all other front end parts are tight expecially the LF since its wearing tires. so I would prioritize front end, axle, tires, oil change if its due. Then water pump, flush, thermostat together. Pinion seal, exhaust manifold finally encoder motor (make sure that's really the problem first) Good luck and thanks for watching.
+The Car Doctor. I'm sure Alaska is a great place to live, but being from Southern California the weather might do me in! Do you have a video about replacing the seals for the fuel filter adaptor, that's my next repair. I get a long crank and no start at times when it's hot (over 95) and the engine is hot. If you loosen the bleed screw and pump it you can get it to start but it's a pain. Thanks again.
@@ThecardoctorTV forgot to torque brake caliper bolts, and tie rod nut, over torqued the axle nut, failed to clean rotor resulting in contaminated brake pads and generally shows his hate for work as he is super rough with customers vehicle. No good but fast. Sorry but my thoughts are you're a hack.
Thank-you. Nice video. Very helpful as I did not want to pay the dealer to replace my upper and lower ball joints/control arms. They were insisting that I buy the lower control arm whole and not just replace the lower ball joint. I also replaced the wheel hub assembly. Shit, when I used to help my dad he used to buy the race and actual bearing and just replace that. Dude, I wish I could have seen what you did to the lower. Just could not see it in the video.
+memeandme73 Yes, I've gotten better with camera placement and getting shots of actual parts in my newer vids. Glad it helped give you the confidence to do it yourself and save some cash.
Laughed quite a bit! Thanks for the video. I imagine you could use a pickle fork to separate the ball joints from the knuckle? I'm about to tackle this minus the upper control arm. EDIT: I just used a prybar and hammer and that worked. Took a lot of muscle to get all these parts off. Couldn't even use a press for the bottom ball joint so I just beat the piss out of it like you did.
Thank you for these videos did my whole front suspension is now done everything went by soo much more smoother now next step for me is bigger cam and more nitrous on my little 5.3 im definitly subscribing to you sit
Didn’t even take you an hour for all that and shops say they charge by the hour yet some say they want a $1000 for both sides and a alignment which are usually $70 some. Good video.
I wish you would have should how I'm supposed to get the knuckle on both my lower ball joint and axle? It seems it's one or the other not both?!!!!! Can't figure it out!
cotter key in your tie rod end castle nut? And I'm replacing my hub bearings and rotors, so BECAUSE IT'S A 98 SILVERADO I had to remove all 8 wheel studs, and 4 hub bearing bolts with shoulders. Then reinstall. with rock guard. I used blue thread locker on the 4 bearing bolts and never seize around hub bearing into knuckle.. also a pump or two grease in the outer tierod end.
Can you replace the wheel bearing on a bench when you have to the spindle and wheel hub off of the axle? I’m putting new control arms and lower ball joints on my Silverado. I believe one of my wheel bearings are bad. It’s creating a hum like it has super swampers on. When I turn left sound goes away. So I’m planning on doing it all at once.
Heh, yeah...I was working outside at night using a headlamp and in my tunnel vision I had just got one of those loctited SOB's loose, I leaned back with that thing, took a breath and turned and banged a chip out of indigo metallic paint chip out of the mirror-polished Tahoe near the wheel well, with that SOB caliper hanger. I prefer to f'up my own shit - why pay someone else to do it? Back inside later, blood in the sink...somehow took the skin off my nose in the process and got myself an attractive new scab! Good thing I rarely look in the mirror. Nice, smooth brakes now though!
On 2003 Chevy Cavalier,I removed the rivets and increased the holes to 1/2" to fit new ball joint bolts. But the question I can't find anywhere: what torque specifications do you apply on those 3 bolt, attaching the Ball Joint to the Control Arm? In Haynes Manual it says should be an instruction sheet in a new set, but mine doesn't have one. From Internet it looks like 10-12 or 12-14 Ft-lbs, but in one film he applied 50 Ft-lbs, though on a truck. Pls could you give your opinion what torque specification it can be? I did a lot of research on Internet, nothing on that question.
Any video's of changing an idler arm and bracket as well as the pitman arm, on a 2001 chevy 2500 HD 4x4 ? .... with the removal of the steering gear box, for ease of the task ?
Great Video! Very helpful. You make it look so easy, but if you don't have exactly the right tools the Ball Joints can be a bear! My 4x4 HD2500 I didn't have all of the correct adapters needed for it and it wasn't quite as easy as you make it look! But your video was very helpful! Good Job! Made me chuckle! HA!
Great video Doc, I'm doing bottom ball joints on my 08 2500 chevy 4X4. Your video is VERY helpful and entertaining also. Would you replace the front shafts if they slung grease on the inner fender? 1/2 hr. to do all that!, my hats off to you! Thanks for taking the time to make the videos they really help everyone!
Thank you, I am doing the upper and lower control arms and sway bar links front and back, will I be safe to drive to a shop after doing the work myself, for the alignment?
Went to a shop and they said my lower control arm has some play in it. My question is does the control arm itself wear out or is it the bushing and ball joints?
Hands down one of the best videos I've seen for suspension and steering repair. To the point, and just very nicely done. I am now a subscriber for sure.
I'm a musician, so I don't do mechanic work as a rule but I like to watch pros on YT when I do have an automotive issue. You are obviously a pro. Now I can get my truck in to the shop and know what I should be looking at time-wise. Thanks, good video.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching.
This is probably the best, most concise, no bullshit "how to" video on RUclips.
Thanks. I appreciate the complement. Take it easy.
Just browsing around for a 09 Tahoe upper control arm and lower ball joint replacement video. Watched this one all the way through and was quite entertained LOL. I bet the book time is 3 hrs or more per side and you were done in 31 minutes on one side. Good work man. Now back to my vehicle specific search.....I have a 3.5" body lift so I have to figure out the proper method to make it safe to do.
I enjoy watching your repair videos. I get a good laugh at your sense of humor. Keep up the good work. And post more videos of Chevy Truck repairs.
+Justin Sero sr Will do, I have too much fun doing them. My wife constantly tells me I'm playing around too much and feels like she needs to crack the whip. She keeps it up I'm going to start doing video pranks on her. Haha. Take care.
What a useful clip! You've got just the right combination of mechanical ability, clarity, efficiency, thoroughness and narrative skill to inspire DIY confidence from your viewers. Thanks a bunch!
Joseph Whalen Oh thanks for the complements IM Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!
AWESOME video. Thank you so much for this and your other videos. You'll save thousands of us busted knuckles, grey hairs and millions of $ from doing things wrong or just the hard way. It's easy to tell your a master mechanic.
Thanks for the complements! Glad I could help
I like this guy, mostly just the business, with just a little comedy. Good mix.
31 minutes for you and hours for me!!! LOL, it's truly amazing what the right tools will do for you! :) Great video! Thanks!
Fantastic and entertaining video!
With a little experience doing ball joints on other vehicles, this was helpful and encouraging to tackle this on my 2015 Silverado 2500. Having larger components I was a little skeptical of doing this job but you made it look fairly simple!
I do watch too many auto repair videos but that's just because I drive older vehicles and need to repair them. I'm about to rebuild the front end of my 2010 suburban. I like your style.
Your vids are some of the best on the interwebs; helped me with several big projects on my GMC and my Dodge; keep the great vids coming. Hope to stop in and see you at your shop soon as I just moved into Anchorage with my family.
Thanks for the call yesterday. Look forward to meeting you sir. I might have more time to chat in a couple weeks. Blessings.
I appreciate your help!! It was an asset for my 2008 Tahoe!! I wish I could show you how messed up my wife's truck was!!
Dude I was just going to buy new lower arms with the ball joint already pressed in but after watching what had to be the fastest upper and lower change I’ve ever seen I might just get the tool and replace just the joint. Kudos to you
Definitely subscribed! Love the feedback with all the knowledge being shared. May you and your family be blessed forever.
Thank you so much.
So about 30 minutes per side.
Lol, we are definitely watching a skilled Master tech at work. Not a skipped beat.
Its all video editing. Makes three hours of cussing and busting knuckles look like 20 mins of pure ecstasy.
"you can use a ball joint press to press this one out but I like to just beat the crap out out of it" LMAO, awesome! awesome channel, im subscribing. keep up the good work. i would have sworn that truck said something about your mother the way you took it apart.
Haha. Funny. I'm super glad you enjoyed it! See you around the shop.
Thank you for your video. It was informative and made me feel that if I had the right tools I can do the work myself. I grew up taking things apart with my father and miss his knowledge as well as my brother. I believe that I found there replacement in your videos. Bless you and I enjoyed the joking around. Sharon b
+Sharon Blubaugh Thank you. My father was a great teacher as well and always took the time to show us how to fix things. Surely part of the reason I am a mechanic now. He left a big hole in my life with his passing and I miss him a bunch. Thank you for watching.
Not sure if will fix my head but will fix my truck, is it similar on a half ton Chevy 4x4, well done never seen anyone beet the ball joint out with a hammer so fast👍. Nice work.
Another great video. You do the world a great service by putting relevant, intelligent, and coherent information out there. Your mannerisms are polite, your knowledge is extensive, and your tools are awesome....green handle Snap on....I LOVE that stuff. IR impact.....fugetaboutit....I already KNOW you KNOW what you're talking about. The best! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I can't believe you did this job in little over 1/2 an hour. I'm gonna go jump on mine right now. If I'm lucky, take me 1/2 a week...........
+jimy taylor Haha, I think you're probably selling yourself short on the time it will take you but there is something to say for having all the right tools equipment and cool shop to do it in. I sure appreciate all the complements, makes what I do even more rewarding and satisfying. Good luck with your suspension.
Thanks for this video. I watched this to refresh my memory. Just did this job on my 2500 chevy.
before old age and arthritis took my hands, i would have attempted this. Great vid and I like your humor!...:-)
Great video! Garage quoted me $1500 for the upper and lower ball joints on my gmc sierra. Your video and $300 in parts and I'm all done. Wished I could have seen more of what was in front of you but I got enough to pull it off. Thanks again! Fyi the sierra had to have the cast caps ground off the lower ball joint, that was fun.
Thanks. Ive developed better filming in subsequent videos and should do a remake of this classic. Glad to hear you got it fixed up!
Thanks Doctor. About to install ball joints, inner/outer tie rods, Pittman and idler arms on 1995 k1500 fwd. Very helpful vedio as I'm a carpenter by trade. Have put new short block and transmission so this utube is great for info. Just need to find someone like you to show the proper instalation and ease that this type of project can be performed at. Now I'll search your channel for chevy steering linkage replacement. Again, very helpful and some humour too. Thanks again from central coast of California. George.
I just did this yesterday with your help. Thank you! I ended up having to grind away some crimped tabs from the old/original lower ball joint, but I did use the stress relieving technique of hitting the piss out of it with a hammer. And, you're right: I did feel better! I'm way slower than you are though; it took me 2 hours the first side and 1 hour the second side.
That's making great time! Good job. Saved some cash too!
Just wanted to say thank you for making this video and the one with the church van. You saved me a ton of money.Chattanooga, tn.
+David Hoover Oh thank you, I totally enjoy making them. Glad it helped. Blessings!
This was better than any parts store manual.
Thank you very much!!!!!!!
Randy Frisina Im glad you found it helpful. thanks for watching!
The absolute best video on RUclips for suspension work. Thank you for taking the time do make it. I am subscribed!
2006 Duramax. Changed lower ball joint today. It was a ball joint from Iran!!!! Had to drill 5 relief holes on edge of joint close to arm for it to give up the ghost. 2 hours of pounding until I started “thinking” how to get this out. Also changed upper ball joint. That came out and in like butter. Arm was in good shape just needed a new ball joint. Also changed Timken hub, knuckle seal and backing plate.
love your channel, retired mechanic from health reasons. you remind me of the good times!
So THATS what the boot slot is for... learn something new every day. Thanks.
Glad it helped. Take care.
just did this on my 2007 Suburban, great video, helped a lot! Being in the rust belt (Phila) I had to use a reciprocating saw to cut the upper controll arm bolts. Could not get them to come out, used 2 cans wd40, torch, and even the ball joint clamp to press them out, just bent the bolt.
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Bravo. Nice to see people who know their job.
Thanks for the Intel
A great example of how to work smart and not hard!
Thank you for the great advice I’m doing this exact job on my 96 suburban plus all the tie rods, the whole thing. This was unbelievably helpful. Thanks again Car Doctor.👍👍🇺🇸🇨🇦
30 minutes of my life well spent. red locktite tip priceless. good vid
Thank you so much!
You're an animal! Epic time and technique. Stoked to have found this vid! Thanks for uploading. Life saver
Car Doctor! thanks so much for this video. My passenger side lower BJ gave out while taking a right turn night before last on my '08 Hoe. I didn't have the luxury of power tools/ lift. unfortunately, let alone the proper tools (my neighbors provided). one jack, hand tools, a broken ball joint, an incorrect replacement ball joint (installed before realizing wrong one BC of longer threading) from A-Zone, a few beers, I replaced the upper and lower BJs, upper control arms. and breaks while I was there on both side of the front end. I will be taking it for an alignment tomorrow afternoon.
My biggest issue was the springs. I couldn't follow along there, but I realized taking the strut off the lower control arm allowed me to move the springs just enough to get the bolts out of the upper control arm and replace.
Great video none the less, I've subscribed to your channel.
Thanks!!
Thank you for the complements. Glad you got it. I'm sure the beer helped. Sorry for the delayed response. Take care and I will se you around.
Great vid. Thanks!! Very entertaining and helpful!! Thanks for making it look easy. Will probably only take me about 8 hours!!
Thank you
This guy has saved me so much money... Thanks Doctor
Susanne Minogue , can be a source for noise but usually tends to be more of a creaking type noise than a squeak. Check bushings and dry joints for noise by using a long screwdriver held up to your ear while someone bounces on the suspension. Good luck with the fix!
car doc I have a question. hopefully you can help. I have a 06 trailblazer have a rear-end noise assuming wheel bearing. they have repair bearings for this application. it's wider then oem do you know if Iwill have a clearance issue when trying to put the c-clip back in the differential?
I believe the repair bearings work with the original shafts and retainers but I haven't used one on this application so don't take my word for it. Probably need to consult the suppliers documentation for requirements.
+The Car Doctor Okay thank you very much for the response. Another reason I recommend your channel to everyone I know. I couldn't find much but I will just see you when I get in there. lol
The Car Doctor
Hey I have a 95 Silverado
One day I was helping my friend move out her apartment so I loaded my pick up till you couldn't fit another box, then when I started driving I noticed my truck turned to the right pretty bad if I let go of the steering wheel, then the next day while driving on the freeway my truck started shaking Real BAD from the RIGHT front wheel , then I drove slowly till I got home and noticed that my hub cap had fallen , there was smoke coming out, and my Rim was cracked!! Please help !!! Thank you !
Maybe just a bad rim. Probably start there and check bearings and steeeing components to make sure they are ok.
Very good video only wish he had the camera at a better angle so you didn't see mostly his back. He did a great job explaining the process.
Thanks for making this video as it gave me the info I needed to replace my lower ball joint & UCA for my Avalanche. The first side took all day but the second just a few hours....in the driveway!
+MolarBoater Glad it helped. Thanks for dropping by!
great video been working on older cars for years but the new stuff is so much different thanks
I enjoyed your humor on this repair.
Thanks, if we techs didn't have a sense of humor we would all end up in a rubber room somewhere. hahaha
Thanks Car Dr. I am about to do this a few other things while I am there. You made me have more confidence to do the Job. Dealer wanted $4,000 for everything I must do. Thanks again
Nice!
I also lost my nuts in a previous marriage. Thanks for your video, although it doesn't apply specifically to the vehicle I'm working on, in general it's the best I've seen so far. You are a good man.
Really good instructional video. I learned a lot and saw things not to forget. I agree that doing the upper control arm is better than just the ball joint.
damn .... you reminded me of the Cowboys riding in the Rodeo where they chase down a cow and tie their feet together then throw their arms in the air when done😂 .... but it's probably gonna be the customer that throws his hands in the air at the costs of this repair😅... you definately deserve the prize money. Well done🙏
Now I can replace the control arms on the Porsche 959.
Thank you for sharing your expert tips.
+angelisone Well that one may be a little different animal but thanks for the complement!
this has been my guide for changing my upper arms and lower ball joints. thanks for taking the time to explain very helpful for us diy guys.
+Arturo Gonzalez Thank you, glad it helped. RUclips is such a blessing for the DIY people! Stop by anytime.
My God your Video certainly helped me determine for certain that I had been screwed and screwed good! I had 2500.00 worth of work done to my 1999 Tahoe at a Shop I had used for nearly 25 years but NOT lately my Friends so they didn't know that I have worked on Trucks and Equipment some of which weighed in at over 40,000 pounds! I have had Ball Joints Fail twice on the road and 1 Brake System fail on a 10 wheel truck that weighed in at over 30,000 pounds - Hydraulic Brakes at that during my approach to a Weigh Station Scale with a Tank Truck in Front of me! I took her off the road and got and ovation from other truckers at the Station for NOT hitting that Tank Truck with a Boom that stuck out over the front of that my Rig!
My Friend's thus I became as versed in Mechanics as I could because the Brakes on the Truck had been to a Reputable Truck Brakes Shop at least once prior to that day! I was 19 and my Dad who owned the Truck had been in a Construction Accident just Prior so I had no Experience then my Friends but I do now..
The Rubber Boots were left off the Lower Ball Joint on the Driver's Side and both Boots on the Passenger Side were left off where NO grease could be applied then I was told that the bearing was sealed a Dang Lie.
Cotter Pins were NOT reinstalled on the rest of the front end parts that were installed!
NOW the 1st Job that I purchased a Week Earlier that I am yet to be Satisfied with a Complete Brake Job with a Master Cylinder that works and looks like the Devil is in Question because I reported a Leak upon return to the shop to have the front end work done!
I am NOT going to name the Shop Today because I am NOT like that and Never had to be so they deserve it but not Today - 7 Days since the last visit. 4 Total Visits. I am yet to be Satisfied and I know better!
These Videos are an Invaluable tool for people to be able to prove a point and these folks maybe trying to prove a point..My God that is so True. I am too,
May I say... Badass!
I'm gonna say, you've done that a time or two before!
Fixin' to do the whole front end and steering gear on my 2500HD... Hope it goes that easy!
Thanks for the pro demo...
Thank you. Since you not having to beat book time or set any records you can take your time and finish knowing you saved yourself a huge chunk of cash and made your truck handle like new again. Good luck and take care.
My kind of video. Clear and to the point. You are good at what you do. Thank's.
Feel confident i can do this job on my 04 Chevy truck.Without the air tools.Great video!
+Mark Kozak thanks! A nice long handled 1/2" drive ratchet will be just a good as an impact. Good luck.
Awesome video!!! Best repair video I've ever seen!!
Just love watching the back of this dudes head the whole time nit being abke to see what he's doing
You make this look like a walk in the park. Not going to be the same for me though. Lol. A very well explained and detailed video though, should save me a lot of time. Going to put mine on tomorrow. Definitely going to subscribe! Thanks for the video!
Thanks, it looks better on video since I edited out all the times I cussed. haha. Good luck!
Ditto to the walk in the park kudos! As for editing things out, I had to watch it a 2nd time to see if it looked like there could have been a lot of heavy handed editing -- cuz you blaze through this in about a half hour when local yokels' book spec's 4-4.5 hrs for the chore -- but I don't SEE ANY MAGICAL PROGRESS when the meter's not running. WOW - this torqued my nut to think they have to try to ream me THIS bad! They need to watch this tutorial a few times, methinks!
Anyway, here's MY question, on which I'd certainly like YOUR opinion:
Given the extreme range of prices I find on simple ball joints for ye olde chibby - how on earth does one decide where to draw the line? I'm fairly sure that buying the cheapest will end up hurting before long, but the other extreme simply CANNOT be the only good stuff. Since the labor is this involved I'd rather not be repeating any time soon. Have ye anything to offer beyond the one name you did drop and the one you settled for?
I hear you about the previous marriage. Clowns that ain't been there are likely to continue thinking that they're somehow ATTACHED - a mistake I made when I was yunger & dummer.
I stay away from low end parts but you'll probably be ok going with the premium line. The Moog brand is available on Amazon at reasonable prices. I have been banging out ball joints for the past 25 years and have some really expensive tools and equipment so I'm faster than the average tech. I don't charge less because I'm faster nor should a slow guy charge more because he took longer. I didn't torque every fastener properly in this video and for that I am embarrassed. Thank you for tuning in and sharing with your mechanic friends. 😀
Well, I'm taking the short break - getting warm again today (95 yesterday when I started). Needless to say I'm not anywhere NEAR your pace! My 99 Tahoe ain't perzactly like your vid, so some things are new territory. Trying to replace upper balljoint instead of entire c-arm so I don't need alignment, but that means trying to punch out 3 rivets (4th was a bolt). Then the lower has no circlip but it SEEMS brutally solid. Gonna go borrow a BF press to see if it will budge. All in all, lots more fun than I'd bargained for! Thanks for YOUR help, though!!!
So Doc - of all the expensive tools you mentioned - the ball joint press & fittings must be the most crucial to this operation, I'm thinking. At least that is what gave me the most hesitation, but rather than buying the standard starter set (that would NOT have what I need for this Tahoe in question) PLUS the extensive accessory kit that hopefully WOULD suffice, I borrowed/rented a standard set from TWO auto parts houses PLUS the extension set from one. Theoretically this MIGHT have gotten me there, but - NO - not yet, anyway. Failing to make any headway pressing the old one out, I finally just drove it out with a manly hammer. Now I've been fighting for a couple HOURS in a vain attempt to get the new one pressed in. So far I can't make any headway: I can't get it to start straight, so the amount of torque I've tried via the 3' lever on the screw has convinced me that it's NEVER going to straighten out. Don't suppose you've ever had trouble with a CHEVY like this? (I take it from your mention of FORD that this sort of thing might be expected therewith?) Anyway, this is stumping me, obviously, so I'm hoping this MIGHT catch your eye sometime soon (oh please, oh please... punch line from one of my all-time favorite FarSide cartoons - dog trying to catch the cat in the clothes dryer)
Now, so far nuts still attached AFAIK.
?
After watching a few millennials do the same thing nice to see a real mechanic get the job done without issue and with the right tools.
@21:30 you say: ''cotter pin is always in the wrong place''. now that was funny... and so true...
You were in beast mode on this job. I will have to go buy a red sledgehammer. 🤣
Really good video, I think that you are a top quality mechanic! I just wished ya had other video recorders showing some of the things that I could not see while you were doing the wrenching in tight blind areas, But in all I think its a fantastic video! Thank You & God Be With Ya !!!!
+Bruce Brooker Thanks Bruce! Looking into some new cameras to do just that but need to run it by my production equipment expense manager (the wife) :) thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for this great video - clear - As I went along I wrote down the nut sizes and torque amounts (my memory being rather short) to speed things along. A grateful Canadian!
Glad it was helpful. Blessings!
Also, you knocked this out in 30 min. The dealership quotes me 2.5 hrs. I hate the dealerships.
+word to your mother hey thanks guys. I am a bad person. Sorry to have given all mechanics a bad name.
youre not a bad person, you cant be. Only good people watch Car Doctor Videos!
Great Video Dr! Thank you! About to do upper and lower control arms on my tahoe and you have really helped!
Called a tech when we did my sons ball joints and was having a trouble getting them out, he said "put the purse down and hit it". Had to share that one.
Haha, funny. I'll have to use that one in a future vid.
At 13:20 did the lower ball joint have a ring clip on the top? I am about to tackle my lower ball joints for the first time (07 silverado) and it looks like they need to be chiseled out? Or can I do it your way and relieve some pressure and beat the crap out of it? Nice video! Thanks for the help!
+Fyre no clip in this application. You can also use the ball joint press to press the old joint out. Good luck!
the opener of this video is AWESOME! lol!
Very good video. Fixing to do my 01 1500HD and I learned a lot from ur video. Thank u
Just bought one of these monsters. Have to change out what you did on both sides. Already have my Moog heavy duty parts. Control arms and lower ball joints.
Broke a camber bolt from being rust welded. Broke a short impact extension while at it also. Rust belt.
Great job very interesting video. It helped me with the installation of the lower ball joints and upper control arms on my 2005 Hummer H2. Thanks Doc.
Hi CarDocter. I'm a designer & jack of all trades, except new to autos.
..Doing my 1st oil change now, and then on to a radiator flush with new thermostat. I have a v-6 4wd, 2008 Chevy Trailblazer bought from an auction a month ago which said it was a City Fleet vehicle. Looked perfectly clean under the hood, but with a host of mechanical issues uncovered after a trip to the mechanic. You've done a great job showing me lower ball joints & upper control arms. In what order can the following be grouped together to get all done in a way I can afford. Can't do all at one shop appt;
1. 4 new tires with TPMS Relearn front left wearing bad after 4500 cross country Phx-NC trip to search & rescue a caregiver pet 4 weeks ago; just days after the auction)
2. Oil Change
3. Engine mounts appeared to be cracked? Will check transmission at same time
4. Exhaust manifold assembly
5. Water Pump Assembly
6. Thermostat and gasket replacement with coolant flush
7. Transfer encoder motor (went in to 4wheel drive low and then popped out of it after mechanic looked at it?
8. Replace pinion seal and add fluid
9. Replace all shock/struts f & rear
10.Upper control arm bushings both sides
11. Drive axle Left front
Manika Manika Sorry for the delayed response; I was out of town working my commercial fishing business. You don't want to replace tires until you get the front end is fixed. Youll want to replace the front drive axle when you do the control arm work. Make sure all other front end parts are tight expecially the LF since its wearing tires. so I would prioritize front end, axle, tires, oil change if its due. Then water pump, flush, thermostat together. Pinion seal, exhaust manifold finally encoder motor (make sure that's really the problem first) Good luck and thanks for watching.
Great video doctor. Thanks
Great job, very informative with step by step procedure. Thanks alot
+george rodriguez Super glad you liked it! Have a good one
Great video! my son and I did the job in about 2 hours. thanks for posting!
+Keith Lyon Nice job! I should hire you guys. Want to move to Alaska?
+The Car Doctor. I'm sure Alaska is a great place to live, but being from Southern California the weather might do me in! Do you have a video about replacing the seals for the fuel filter adaptor, that's my next repair. I get a long crank and no start at times when it's hot (over 95) and the engine is hot. If you loosen the bleed screw and pump it you can get it to start but it's a pain. Thanks again.
"helps take of frustration from working on Ford's and shit" hahaha best part
its therapy! :)
@@ThecardoctorTV forgot to torque brake caliper bolts, and tie rod nut, over torqued the axle nut, failed to clean rotor resulting in contaminated brake pads and generally shows his hate for work as he is super rough with customers vehicle. No good but fast. Sorry but my thoughts are you're a hack.
R - someone’s a salty ford owner
@@SCOOPFREE If you know so much why are you watching how to videos? Maybe shut your mouth if you ain't got anything nice to say.
Thanks i have to the same job at home.Your a real mechanic i can trust .Stay cool man !
Hey thanks, I’ll be doing that soon on my HD, the video will help a lot. Just found you on here, liked, subbed, rang bell and left a comment.
Thank-you. Nice video. Very helpful as I did not want to pay the dealer to replace my upper and lower ball joints/control arms. They were insisting that I buy the lower control arm whole and not just replace the lower ball joint. I also replaced the wheel hub assembly. Shit, when I used to help my dad he used to buy the race and actual bearing and just replace that. Dude, I wish I could have seen what you did to the lower. Just could not see it in the video.
+memeandme73 Yes, I've gotten better with camera placement and getting shots of actual parts in my newer vids. Glad it helped give you the confidence to do it yourself and save some cash.
Laughed quite a bit! Thanks for the video.
I imagine you could use a pickle fork to separate the ball joints from the knuckle? I'm about to tackle this minus the upper control arm.
EDIT: I just used a prybar and hammer and that worked. Took a lot of muscle to get all these parts off. Couldn't even use a press for the bottom ball joint so I just beat the piss out of it like you did.
Thank you for these videos did my whole front suspension is now done everything went by soo much more smoother now next step for me is bigger cam and more nitrous on my little 5.3 im definitly subscribing to you sit
Thanks for the complements. You be careful not to feed her too much of the juice! Take care.
+The Car Doctor just a little 225 shot only because i like to party haha
Didn’t even take you an hour for all that and shops say they charge by the hour yet some say they want a $1000 for both sides and a alignment which are usually $70 some. Good video.
I wish you would have should how I'm supposed to get the knuckle on both my lower ball joint and axle? It seems it's one or the other not both?!!!!! Can't figure it out!
do they make a more compact impact thats worth buying, I reckon that's what extensions are for
cotter key in your tie rod end castle nut? And I'm replacing my hub bearings and rotors, so BECAUSE IT'S A 98 SILVERADO I had to remove all 8 wheel studs, and 4 hub bearing bolts with shoulders. Then reinstall. with rock guard. I used blue thread locker on the 4 bearing bolts and never seize around hub bearing into knuckle.. also a pump or two grease in the outer tierod end.
A couple funny comments that I enjoyed, thanks for the video
Thanks so much saved me $300.00 keep on truckin.
+imdevotoo Devo money better used on tall plastic red hats! Thanks for dropping by!
Can you replace the wheel bearing on a bench when you have to the spindle and wheel hub off of the axle? I’m putting new control arms and lower ball joints on my Silverado. I believe one of my wheel bearings are bad. It’s creating a hum like it has super swampers on. When I turn left sound goes away. So I’m planning on doing it all at once.
Ha ha! Great intro! Earlier today, I just about busted a gut and gave my self an aneurysm on some red loctited brake bolts.
Oh boy, glad it was you and not me....I mean so sorry to hear that. hahaha
Heh, yeah...I was working outside at night using a headlamp and in my tunnel vision I had just got one of those loctited SOB's loose, I leaned back with that thing, took a breath and turned and banged a chip out of indigo metallic paint chip out of the mirror-polished Tahoe near the wheel well, with that SOB caliper hanger. I prefer to f'up my own shit - why pay someone else to do it? Back inside later, blood in the sink...somehow took the skin off my nose in the process and got myself an attractive new scab! Good thing I rarely look in the mirror. Nice, smooth brakes now though!
Any ideas for when the lower won't release? I've tried pickle fork, 2 jaw puller and a bfh.. Won't budge. Been at it for hours.
On 2003 Chevy Cavalier,I removed the rivets and increased the holes to 1/2" to fit new ball joint bolts. But the question I can't find anywhere: what torque specifications do you apply on those 3 bolt, attaching the Ball Joint to the Control Arm? In Haynes Manual it says should be an instruction sheet in a new set, but mine doesn't have one. From Internet it looks like 10-12 or 12-14 Ft-lbs, but in one film he applied 50 Ft-lbs, though
on a truck. Pls could you give your opinion what torque specification it can be? I did a lot of research on Internet, nothing on that question.
Any video's of changing an idler arm and bracket as well as the pitman arm, on a 2001 chevy 2500 HD 4x4 ? .... with the removal of the steering gear box, for ease of the task ?
No but I will make a video the next one I get in for that. Thanks.
You make it look fast and easy. I'm sure it is with the proper tools.
Great Video! Very helpful. You make it look so easy, but if you don't have exactly the right tools the Ball Joints can be a bear! My 4x4 HD2500 I didn't have all of the correct adapters needed for it and it wasn't quite as easy as you make it look! But your video was very helpful! Good Job! Made me chuckle! HA!
Thanks. Yes having the right tools makes it nice. Thanks for watching
Thanks Car Doctor, Great Lesson and Great watch. 👍
Great video Doc, I'm doing bottom ball joints on my 08 2500 chevy 4X4. Your video is VERY helpful and entertaining also. Would you replace the front shafts if they slung grease on the inner fender? 1/2 hr. to do all that!, my hats off to you! Thanks for taking the time to make the videos they really help everyone!
Great video sir
When did you torque the caliper mounting bolts?
Thank you, I am doing the upper and lower control arms and sway bar links front and back, will I be safe to drive to a shop after doing the work myself, for the alignment?
Yes. Mark the positions so you can install in roughly the same spot to get the alignment close, then driving to the shop will be fine. Good luck!
Went to a shop and they said my lower control arm has some play in it. My question is does the control arm itself wear out or is it the bushing and ball joints?