I'm planning on changing the ball joints on my 72 cutlass supreme.Can anyone tell me how difficult it is to change the upper ones or if it's difficult at all?I think the upper ball joints are welded.

Thank you

 

It's not so bad most times. You just have to be ready to chisel off all of those rivets on top, and then use a fork to spread the suspension apart.
You will also need a ball joint press to put the lower one back in once you bash the old one out. A local auto parts store may loan you one for free if you leave a n I.D. or credit card with them. A torque wrench is a good tool to use as well.

 

Upper ball joints are easy. You don't even need to remove the spring to change them, since the shock will hold the spring in place. The uppers are riveted to the control arm. You need to grind, chisel, or drill the rivets out. Replacement ball joints come with nuts and bolts instead of rivets.

 

Here's some pictures that should help, and a list of tools.

 

Pickle fork.
Tie rod end seperator
Cold chisel
Right angle drill (if you have one)
Grease gun and grease.
wratchet/sockets
Ball joint press
Torque wrench


These pics are most useful if you are doing both the upper and lower ball joint.

 

Those pictures help out alot. Thank you!!! I'm getting out there this weekend and tackling it.