Front top ball joint replacement

[Gene McIlroy]

Starting to tear down my front end to replace all suspension parts.  First problem encountered is removing the top ball joints,  "spherical joints".  Page 4-1 of shop manual says "The upper suspension arms and spherical joints are interchangeable, left and right, previous to being welded into an assembly.  Figure 4-35 0n page 4-23 shows picture of the upper arm without the ball joint.

QUESTION: do you have to grind off the welds to replace the upper ball joints?  or how do you replace them?

HELP!!   The only replacement given as far as I can tell is replacing the rubber boot seal. 

[Dan Loukota]

Gene, I cannot thank you enough!! This sheds much needed light on what I need to do. The pics truly are a great help!! 

[Jason Edge]

Excellent post Gene. Pictures are a great help. I have added this to our Help Page under Ball Joint (front upper) Replacement.

[Gene McIlroy]

Dan, I have been out of town, got back Saturday.  I am attaching a few photos that may help.  There should be two spot welds that have to be ground off then drive out the old ball joint. Press in the new ball joint.  Assemble what I have called the locking ring, which screws on then tighten with a hammer and punch, chisel or screwdriver (whatever) just get it tight.  Hope this helps.  Mine are from Kanter also.

 

[Dan Loukota]

I ordered a complete super deluxe front suspension kit from Kanter for my ‘64 Series 62 coupe last week. The ball joints have the holes?? for the screws to hold in place but no screws in the kit. When I contacted Kanter they said, “... these ball joints do not use bolts for the install.  The lower ball joints are pressed into the control arm and the uppers are held in by the lock collar that is on the ball joint.” I haven’t started to pull the front end down yet, but reading these posts has me wondering what’s up with if I need screws or not to secure the new ball joints. It seems to me if I’m grinding out welds something has to go in to secure the ball joints to the control arm. I guess I’m kinda confused. Lol 

[Gene McIlroy]

Jim, I am no help as all I have done is disassemble my front end.  I was replying to the question about grinding the welds off to remove the ball joints.  I have not even removed the bushings yet.  Sorry!

[Jim Pino]

Hi Gene I notice this blog of yours from last year about replacing upper ball joints. I am about to undertake the same on my 63 and was hope you had some advice and pictures to help me along. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks,

Jim Pino

[Gene McIlroy]

Thanks everyone for the comments.  Got the welds ground off, next dilemma was do they press from top to bottom or from bottom (bolt) through top (correct) got that figured out and they are removed.  Next bead blasting and painting,  Thanks to everyone.  

[Cees de Bunje]

Hi Gene. Russ and David are right. That is how i did it. Grind off the welds and press in the new one and lock it withe ring. Works great.

[David Thomas]

Gene, the replacements are pressed in and have a screw on lock ring to hold them in place. They are right and left specific, be sure to install them in the right location.

[Gene McIlroy]

Thanks Russ, that's what I figured but didn't want to screw up my parts. Cadillac didn't make it easy.  I've replaced ball joints in several vehicles before but this is the first one ever seen that was welded in.