2WD S10 Ball Joint Replacement

1997 2WD S10 SS upper and lower ball joint replacement. The upper ball joint is riveted in from the factory while the lower one is a press in style. This was performed on a two wheel drive SS S10. I used a ball joint press to remove the lowers so I did not have to remove the entire control arm.
Tools:
Ball Joint Press: amzn.to/3p57hkR
Parts:
Upper Ball Joint: Moog amzn.to/30IFXzE
Lower ball joint: Moog amzn.to/32ekQFU
Instagram: / 0p_0verhaul

[@robertsmith8632]

He explained this well. I'm doing this on my Astro right now - same exact suspension. For anyone else doing this, I highly reccommend replacing the control arm bushings while you're at it. If your ball joints are worn, your bushings may be too. You're already most of the way there and you don't want to have to do this all over again. Also, I've done mine without removing the steering knuckle , including removing the lower coontrol arm and spring with the knuckle in place. Just rebuild the upper control arm and then install your ball joint- the knuckle will then suspend from the upper ball joint and pivot out of the way and this way you don't have to disconnect the ABS sensor. And you can easily get the spring in and out eith the knuckle still there. I've done it and it's very easy. For my upper ball joints, I drilled them out with a 3/16 bit all the way through, then a hammer and chosel knocked the head right off - it was easy and pretty fast. Buy several drill bits though because with having only one, it will dull after the first couple rivets. That'll save you a trip to the store. Hope this helps others.

[@Dave-bn3ku]

I have a 95 s10 2.2l manual I bought new, it had 2 tenths of a mile on it then. It now has 346,000. After watching your video I ordered the parts to do this job. You do such a good job with the details in your videos it has given me the confidence to do it myself. You are awesome. Thanks so much and keep the videos coming!

[@operationoverhaul]

Thank you I really appreciate the comment and support. These s10's are good trucks and they strong. Your truck shows that if you take care of them they can last for many miles

[@jackierobertson1528]

That is so cool to put that many miles on your s10 , mine haS 290,000 on it so far .

[@flir67man84]

I have 340,00 just had passenger upper ball joint blow out on me. Only going 10 mph..

[@Dave-bn3ku]

340,00 Heck yeah. Just replace that ball joint and keep rolling. These little s10's are worth keeping. @@flir67man84

[@mikeymercure]

You make feel so approachable. Granted I see those nice tools! But I feel like I can do a front end rebuild with your help! Subbed!

[@operationoverhaul]

I appreciate the comment thank you. If you need any specs or help just comment what you need and I will help anyway I can.

[@charlesbailey8533]

I really like the video you Don a great job on explaining and showing how to do the job Thank you

[@operationoverhaul]

You are welcome and thank you for the view and comment

[@hotrodder5034]

I drive a 03 Sonoma ZRX 2.2 liter with 315k miles. I have owned since it was brand new. On the way home from work the right front bottom ball joint snapped! Thank God I wasnt on the freeway!!

[@operationoverhaul]

That could have been a bad situation if you were on the interstate.

[@hotrodder5034]

IKR! It happened right down the street from my house. I have AAA Road Service and local police woman showed up also to block traffic. I guess I will be driving my Camaro untill next week when I can get it fixed.😕

[@operationoverhaul]

@@hotrodder5034 luckily you were okay and they stopped traffic for you

[@hotrodder5034]

@@operationoverhaul IKR and several people offered to help me in some way. There is hope for humanity after all. 😊

[@hotrodder5034]

Well got it repaired. The upper,lower and the tie rod end was damaged. He only charged me $150.00. So I was cool with that.

[@photondebuger45]

I like it good demonstration of doing that work the separator for the tie rod that's a way to take it off. The pickle fork is another way to take off the ball joints, good onya saying it will ruin the boots too that's important. The last way if you got none of those like if you forgot to get those tools at the hardware store and are already taking stuff apart and don't wanna go and get them is a heavy hammer. Smack it at the part it goes through or I think I heard the smack of the hammer I forget. Good stuff the other one that was good is taking the rivits out some have cut off wheels and I think most actually do at one point that's an option another is like less likely is having an air hammer with a punch on it and just sheer them off that way. It's stupid loud but pretty sure your neighbors would hate you if you use that lol. Wonder if mine do they sometimes hear that and the cut off wheels too. Tho you need the air compressor for those pretty sure but yeah all good stuff there one thing that I saw was starting and tightening one bolt then doing the others, well I would have gotten them all in the holes to make sure the ball joint is centered really would like change caster like a LITTLE bit but eh I don't think you'll feel that. You made it simpler taking three nuts off on it than the pins the caliper, the Axel nut, the bearing and washer with another cotter pin, then the rotor and disturb all the grease in there with the seal and the abs wire too. I like it a lot there

[@operationoverhaul]

Thanks for the comment. I think my neighbors hate me a lot of the time because of all my loud noises, but hopefully will not have to worry about that much longer. I am moving early next year and getting 6 acres with and building a bigger shop.

[@flir67man84]

The lower ball joint is 24mm factory on mine.. 95 2.2l 340,000 miles

[@operationoverhaul]

Thank you for the information. This should help some people

[@titanpolus5088]

I'm in the works of doing this in my 91 2wd s10 r. Had to cut the shock out from the top. Had to cut the stabilizer bushings. The bottom ball joint left half of it in there. And I came to a stopping point today because I didn't have an air hammer for the upper ball joints.

[@operationoverhaul]

I have seen people take a grinder, cutting wheel, and even had someone say they used a hacksaw on the upper rivets. It would take a while but would eventually get the job done.

[@nenezaze3252]

Great 👍 work, but don't give all your trust to a single jack, accidents can happen, be safe out there nice 👍 video.

[@operationoverhaul]

I appreciate the concern. I use jack stands on every car now and I even have a lift at my house and the used car lot I work at now as well. Never can be to safe when it comes to your life and working on vehicles.

[@Dave-bn3ku]

Thanks!

[@operationoverhaul]

Thank you for the super thanks. That means a lot to me really. If you need anything else that I may have left out in the video or anything on any other vehicles please feel free to contact me and I will help out as much as I can. Again, thank you and you are welcome as well.

[@jasonbrockman562]

You made seating that bottom ball joint look so simple. I’ve tried installing it 6 times already and each time it goes in crooked.

[@operationoverhaul]

I appreciate it and I have been working on s10's since I was like 10 lol. But to make it seat in better/easier, try moving the spindle/knuckle up then back and forth to align it. Another trick I have used as well is to thread the nut onto the lower ball joint, use a wrench to pry it into position with the nut so you do not damage the threads.

[@jasonbrockman562]

@@operationoverhaul ok I’ll try that. Thanks

[@operationoverhaul]

Your welcome. I know those new ones are extremely stiff and tend to be a pain to move and align. If you have any other issues or questions not just on the ball joint but anything regarding an s10 just ask.

[@donaldbishop7550]

Great video , but do you have a video That show how to change the upper control arm bushing. ,, just order A complete frt end rebuilt kit, the upper A-frame comes with new. Bushing & upper ball joint, if thier is more videos To help me out that would be great & while it on my lift also need to Change out plugs & wires so can pass Trk down to my son great job hitting Subribe botton

[@carlosnuno6482]

Good job !!

[@operationoverhaul]

I appreciate it

[@howardblasingame7961]

Thank you!

[@operationoverhaul]

Your welcome and thank you for watching.

[@Flaviiio50]

Thank you

[@operationoverhaul]

Your welcome and I am glad you enjoyed the video.

[@filibertojimenez4089]

Great jod

[@garybowings1538]

Thank you.

[@operationoverhaul]

Your welcome. I hope it helped you out

[@Wish-Bish]

He makes me believe that I could pull it off 😬

[@operationoverhaul]

You could do it. Just take your time and it is not that bad of job.

[@jackierobertson1528]

My lower ball joint keeps trying to go in sideways while i am trying to replace it .

[@operationoverhaul]

Sometimes when they do that in my experience there is a burr on the lip or inside the bore of the control arm

[@jackierobertson1528]

@@operationoverhaul Thank you .

[@jackierobertson1528]

I am going to try again tomorrow .

[@ragnarfresh]

Just had this issue and I just used a 22mil wrench and kept kicking it till it popped in strait

[@kikozaa1140]

Hi great video!! Question do u grease it the ball joints?

[@operationoverhaul]

If they have grease fittings, I do grease all of them as they may not have enough in them. I only do it once they are installed and the weight of the vehicle is on them as well. Thanks for viewing the video as well.

[@kikozaa1140]

@@operationoverhaul thank u apreciated

[@operationoverhaul]

@@kikozaa1140 your welcome

[@paulnicholas9166]

I have a question I have a 1996 Rear Wheel Dr. attend. I need to replace front ball joints on both sides. Do I need to order the upper and lower bj for each side? Leaving me at four parts to order?

[@operationoverhaul]

I would personally do both upper and lower for each side which would be 4 parts.

[@paulnicholas9166]

Yes I’m going to order them off your website. Are you able to confirm that this is all I need ? Item number is PSA63052 but do I need any bolts or any other parts. Thank you for your help

[@operationoverhaul]

sorry just saw this. Yeah, it should come with all the bolts and everything you should need.

[@dannyhernandez265]

@@operationoverhaul hey man. I have a 1988 GMC S15 and I have similar question: it would be two front upper ball joints and two front lower ball joints correct? Two for each side?

[@operationoverhaul]

@@dannyhernandez265 yes, it would be the same. Two uppers and two lowers.

[@albertoperez5564]

PORFAVOR UN VIDEO DE COMO ASER ALINEACIÓN A CHEVROLET S10 DIRECCÓN IDRAULICA, SALUDOS. DESDE MÉXICO 🇲🇽

[@operationoverhaul]

¿Quieres saber cómo alinear la dirección?

[@albertoperez5564]

@@operationoverhaulASÍ ES COMO PUEDO ASERLE ALINEACIÓN TE LO PIDO POR FAVOR,GRACIAS DIOS TE BENDIGA.

[@SingleMost]

i just let the spring push it off lol tap tap bang

[@operationoverhaul]

Lol i have done it that way too. I was taking spindles off of a camaro that was upside down in a jarkyard one time and did it that way. Bad choice lol

[@filibertojimenez4089]

We're you Located

[@operationoverhaul]

I'm in south carolina.

[@filibertojimenez4089]

I have a98 s10 2.2 is my favorite truck I have to do the same jod to it I bought all the parts thanks for showing me how to go about it