OEM GMC Safari Ball Joint

GMC Safari Ball Joint Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Ball Joint, Front Upper
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  Q: What tools are required to service and repair the ball joint on GMC Safari?

  A: The following tools are needed to service and repair the Ball Joint: Ball Joint separator (J 36607). Start by lifting the vehicle while ensuring a floor jack is beneath the control lower arm to make sure it stays in place and protects the user from injury. Safely support the lower Control Arm using a safety stand, remove tire and wheel. Then, remove the brake hose bracket and the speed sensor bracket off from the upper Control Arm. Punch out the rivets mounting the upper Ball Joint to the upper Control Arm. Drill three 3.175 mm (1/8 inch) diameter x 6.35 mm (1/4 inch) in hole depth each rivet. Drill the rivet heads off with a 12.7 mm (1/2 inch) drill bit and remove the rivets with a pin punch. Remove the cotter pin and the upper Ball Joint retaining nut, and then use the Ball Joint separator (J 36607) attached to the upper Ball Joint and Steering Knuckle and remove the upper Ball Joint from the Steering Knuckle. Pull the upper Control Arm out of the Steering Knuckle and remove the upper Ball Joint. For installation, mount the upper Ball Joint on the upper Control Arm; using the mounting bolts and nuts, tighten them down to 30 nm (22 ft. Lbs.). Reinstall the speed sensor bracket and the brake hose bracket on the upper Control Arm and tighten corresponding nuts to 16 nm (12 ft. Lbs.). Attach upper Ball Joint to Steering Knuckle, and assembly it using retaining nut as well as secure with tightening it to 98 nm (72 ft. Lbs.). Install a new cotter pin and tighten nut on additional 1/6 to thread the cotter pin through the upper Ball Joint stud and bending according the nut flats. Lastly, install the upper Ball Joint grease fitting, grease the upper Ball Joint till grease comes out at the grease seal, reinstall the tire and wheel, take off the safety stand, lower the vehicle, and perform a front wheel alignment check.