Lower ball joint broke and i need to replace it. How do i take it off and put a new one in.(do i need a ball joint press) 98 Chevy Silverado 1500

You have to put lever on joint,and pry it outward at the same time hit with hammer where joint is entered

There are several different wear specs regarding lower ball joints. The official manufacturer torque spec. for lower ball joint wear (For your truck) is 5 in lbs. The official wear spec. to pass the Federal State inspection is less than 1/16" of play at the ball joint (up and down and side to side). The official wear spec. for a front end alignment is zero play.

Could be your has been replaced before.I do a lot of different vehicles, so bear with me. All joints are basically pressed into the spindle with the nut. Hammer on the spindle at the ball joint to get them to release. Some joints are bolted on, some are riveted on (grind, heat and beat them out) to the lower control arm some are pressed in. If yours is bolted on the lower control arm, remove the bolts. Knock the ball joint out of the control, replace it. Consider yourself lucky.

Many other users are noticing problem issue with ball joints.Always replace original parts instead of aftermarket parts.They dont last long.--------Before replacing ball joints ,i suggest to test and inspect the ball joints:----Click the link below for its procedure:----Upper Ball Joints inspection and replacement? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/upper-ball-joints-inspection-and.html How to Test Upper and Lower Ball Joint? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-test-lower-ball-joint.html How to inspect Upper and Lower Ball joint? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-inspect-lower-ball-joint.html How to Service Ball Joints on Car? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-service-lower-ball-joints-on-car.html How to Replace Ball joints? http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-to-replace-lower-ball-joints.html Lower Ball Joints replacing on Mitsubishi car? http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/02/lower-ball-joints-replacing-on.html
--------This will help.Thanks.

you must grind off the rivets,(or use an air chisel) and then use the supplied bolts. very common.

YOU NEED SOME TOOLS LIKE 1/8 1/2 DRILL BITS.YOU NEED A PUNCH.YOU NEED A BALL JOINT SEPERATOR.YOU NEED BALL JOINT PRESS TOOL TO PRESS OUT BALL JOINT AND PRESS IN NEW BALL JOINT.YOU WILL NEED A HAYNES REPAIR MANUAL TO SHOW YOU PHOTOS AND GIVE YOU YOUR TORQUE SPECS.

Jack up the car remove wheel remove brake caliper and remove rotor rent a ball joint press remover and installer tool (at schucks you get money back when you bring it back) if it's 4 wheel drive you will have to remove the axle shaft next pull the snap ring off on the top side and put tool on the lower tie rod end and press out, next do the top press out top joint next sand ball joint sockets so it is clean lube with WD-40 next press in top ball joint and then lower ball joint. In this order otherwise you will have to un install the top ball joint by removing the pin then nut.

The ball joints on both 2wd and 4wd upper are pressed in you need to remove snap ring and using a hammer pop out the old one out this is after you seperate the upper arm from the spindle. To install the new ball joint you should use a ball joint press that you can rent at most autoparts shops

The reason is they are pressed in and you have to press them out with a tool and some have a C clip that has to be removed you can go to schucks or autozone to rent the tool to press out and it has to be pressed back in.

it must be pressed out with a ball joint press then new one pressed back in. this job is for a machanic