Nobody will admit my ball joint exists

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Squirrelsmith

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2018
Posts
914
Reaction score
788
So i go to replace my lower ball joint. Every ball joint in the city of seattle for a 98 tahoe is a 1.88" diameter press fit.
Mine is much smaller and nobody believes me or can offer any explanation.

1536957659691351790631.jpg 15369576878551955891182.jpg
 

swathdiver

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2017
Posts
19,100
Reaction score
25,029
Location
Treasure Coast, Florida
That's a 4WD lower control arm. There are two lower ball joints for that year, 1 for diesels, 1 for gas. After twenty years, who know if or when those arms were changed. Check it out.
 
OP
OP
Squirrelsmith

Squirrelsmith

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2018
Posts
914
Reaction score
788
Got a old guy at napa to admit he knew what was happening to me and not only that but he had 2 of their premium ball joints to sell me for only $107.29. twice what i was going to pay but thats ok
 
OP
OP
Squirrelsmith

Squirrelsmith

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2018
Posts
914
Reaction score
788
I finally found a guy at napa that could figure out what ball joints i needed. They are smaller than the typical ones %99 or auto parts stores carry for these tahoes. Like you said there are 2 different sizes and apparently the smaller ones which i needed are uncommon
 
OP
OP
Squirrelsmith

Squirrelsmith

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2018
Posts
914
Reaction score
788
For whatever reason gmc decided to make some a 1.78" press fit and others a 1.88" press fit.
 

swathdiver

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2017
Posts
19,100
Reaction score
25,029
Location
Treasure Coast, Florida
Crazy. I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall when the engineers were deciding to make two different sizes and justifying that to their bosses!
 
OP
OP
Squirrelsmith

Squirrelsmith

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2018
Posts
914
Reaction score
788
Yeah it is pretty bizarre. I'm a prototype machinist at a engineering firm... i have seen some horrors
 
OP
OP
Squirrelsmith

Squirrelsmith

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2018
Posts
914
Reaction score
788
It was hell pressing them in. The press kit from orlieys was a joke even with a impact. I got them in most of the way with a hydrollic press up at 10k psi. Then the last .250" with a giant sledge hammer and some custom fixturing i made on a lathe. All back together now!!!

20180914_230411.jpg 20180914_230417.jpg 20180914_230437.jpg
 
Last edited:

1998Suburban

Full Access Member
Joined
Feb 6, 2014
Posts
109
Reaction score
23
The difference in ball joint size is a new one for me but good you figured it out. The press force on these is really high. My 20 ton press was really groaning by the time my replacement lowers bottomed out.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
128,786
Posts
1,805,429
Members
91,766
Latest member
GeorgeC
Top