1992-1999 Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's and Buick Lesabres Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.

Ball joints

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Old 02-12-2011, 03:08 PM
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Default Ball joints

If i am going to do my ball joints how many are there, I only see two kinds at Napa website (front lower, Rear lower) so does that mean there are 4 altogether?
Old 02-12-2011, 03:52 PM
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Yes. Unless the ball joints have been previously replaced, they are a real chore to remove from the control arms. The factory ones are riveted in, with HUGE rivets which require a lot of drilling and grinding and pounding to remove. I opted to do the junkyard crawl and find a set of used control arms that had already had their ball joints replaced. I got the one I needed worst, but not the other side - so I have another project looming once the ice melts.
Old 02-12-2011, 03:54 PM
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Well I cant tell which ones are bad. I hear a clunk when I take turns left or right and sometimes stright on acceleration... how many day job would it take for all?
Old 02-14-2011, 11:27 PM
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Fronts are not that bad if they have been replaced before, give yourself 2 hours per side. The rears I'm unsure of, I'm interested to find out if theyre different from the fronts, I have to do mine in the spring.
Old 02-15-2011, 06:47 AM
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IIRC the rears are pressed in, you'll need to rent the tool.

On the fronts..lol if the rivets are still in.. plan for more than 2 hours. The beer drinking and swearing at it take nearly 2 hours all by itself. And yes..I have air tools, decent drills and a massive angle grinder.
Old 02-15-2011, 07:43 AM
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Ahh I dont have those... that scares me now
Old 02-15-2011, 08:48 AM
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Bob, the W body guys tend to buy new control arms from Rockauto. Comes with a balljoint, fresh bushings (which are usually up for replacement anyhow) and bolt right in. I paid around $70 each side for the Regal ones. Fresh bushings, balljoint and not having to fight... well worth it, I tell you.

On the back..they are not very common. To my knowledge they are only press in and don't have rivets, but I've never actually looked at one.
Old 02-15-2011, 11:24 AM
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Whew thats a relief, btw if you were saying bob to me, its actually Bo, I don't know members names but thats mine
Old 02-15-2011, 11:27 AM
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the control arms on there I just saw were $250 Each!?
Old 02-15-2011, 11:30 AM
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Pull out the drill and beer. Looks like you are in for a fight...


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