Shot Ball Joint Seals...

[Scrrem]

Well, been going over the new Z for the past couple of weeks and talleying up the work it needs. First big task....Looks like both upper and lower front ball joints have blown grease seals. I've never tackled ball joints before, how difficult of a job is this? I assume I will need a ball joint tool? Is it worth taking the A arms out and have someone else install BJ?
Rich

[Jagdpanzer]

How many miles on the car?
Could be they were over greased at some point and the excess not properly cleaned up.

[Scrrem]

Originally Posted by Jagdpanzer

How many miles on the car?
Could be they were over greased at some point and the excess not properly cleaned up.

It's got 67,000 on it and my first warning sign was a large amont of grease on the insides of the wheels. While I had the car up on stands I noticed that the seals were completly flat, so I got the grease gun out and as soon as I made the first pump, the grease squirted out from the seam between the boot and the arm.

[ZR1Vette]

I replaced the right side upper control arm due to a ball joint grease seal failure... this is what I found>>


Whether it was at the BG or someone later the ball joint bolt was way over tightened and simply destroyed the grease seal. If this is your case get the entire control arm and replace...just replacing the ball joint seals with aftermarket replacements just is a no go IMO

[Scrrem]

Originally Posted by ZR1Vette

Whether it was at the BG or someone later the ball joint bolt was way over tightened and simply destroyed the grease seal. If this is your case get the entire control arm and replace...just replacing the ball joint seals with aftermarket replacements just is a no go IMO

Yeah, that seems like the way to go. Seems like a whole bunch of labor to rebuild the arms with new joints and bushings. Have any recommendations of a good vendor?
Rich

[Jagdpanzer]

Corvette Recycling is a good source for C4 suspension components

http://www.corvetterecycling.com/category_s/23.htm

[ZR1Vette]

Yep... Corvette Recycling is where I got my replacement (shown in pic)

[Scrrem]

Originally Posted by Jagdpanzer

Corvette Recycling is a good source for C4 suspension components

http://www.corvetterecycling.com/category_s/23.htm

Sweeet...that should make the job a bit easier
Rich

[tf95ZR1]

So its easier or less expensive to just replace the entire control arm?

[tomtom72]

Originally Posted by tf95ZR1

So its easier or less expensive to just replace the entire control arm?

Depending upon the price of quality Ball joints & the rest of the stuff, yes it is more cost effective to buy the arm set from C-Recycling.

I looked for Moog "gusher" type B/J's and they were about $80.00 ea, then go get the bushings plus the time to r&r the parts....or the fee at the machine shop. $400.00 was so close & then it's plug & play.


Tom