[Velare]

I am looking at replacing the upper/lower ball joints on my 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 4x4 diesel. I have all the usual tools, I may have a splitter that fits, not sure? Once fitted, I will do about 10,000 per year.

Questions:-

1. Is it a relatively easy job as I have never changed a ball joint before?

2. Prices for front and rear vary ( upper $28 to $65, lower $27 to $55 ) will one brand really be better than another for fitting and driving ? Some of the brands are Moog, Autopart International, OE Brand.

3. The Chevrolet dealer said one bush comes complete with arm ( $166 ) the other ball joint is $111. Is it necessary to purchase the whole arm unit ?

4. Will bushes etc need to be changes at the same time.

thank you in advance

[TxGreaseMonkey]

1. Above-average difficulty job. It can be very difficult on some vehicles, especially some FWD cars. On your truck, it should not be too bad, if you have the proper tools. Buy a 3-in-1 Ball Joint/U-Joint/C-Frame Press Service Kit, Harbor Freight, Item No. 38355, $32.99.

2. The important thing is to go with "Professional Grade" ball joints. Moog and ACDelco are fine. I believe many AutoZone suspension parts are Moog in disguise and much cheaper. I prefer suspension parts that can be lubricated with synthetic grease.

3. If you remove the arms, you will likely have to have the truck realigned. You shouldn't have to go this route, if you buy the Ball Joint Press Service Kit.

4. It's always a good idea to replace bushings. I prefer Energy Suspension polyurethane bushings.

[Velare]

TxGreaseMonkey

Very informative thankyou. One last question, both front tires are worn/bald on the inside of the tread ( the part of the tread nearest the engine in both cases ) are you saying I can realign with the 3-in-1 kit. The reason I ask I remember many years ago ( early 1970s, I had to look down what appeared to be a microscope which could see a diagram on the far wheel. One had to screw the tie rods to realign? I obviously do not have this machine.

[TxGreaseMonkey]

No. You can avoid realignment, if you don't remove the arms. This assumes you didn't need the realignment checked previously. The 3-in-1 Ball Joint/U-Joint/C-Frame Press Service Kit has not bearing on this.