broken passenger side ball joint and required maintenance
#1
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Car: 1984 Firebird Trans am
Engine: 5.0 HO 4BBl
Transmission: one that kind of works
Axle/Gears: some that turn the wheels
broken passenger side ball joint and required maintenance
Hey guys,
first time posting on thirdgen.org. I hope this is the correct part of the forum for my posting.
So the passenger side ball joint broke end of last year. My mechanic replaced it but I was wondering what other major steering or hardware maintenance I should do since that incident could have been catastrophic on the freeway!
I also posted about this on earlythirdgen.com. Some helpful guys on there mentioned replacing the whole front end steering system since a ball joint breaking was pretty rare and there might be bigger issues going on.
Also before the ball joint broke, there was a lot of metal creaking noise coming from the front of the car, whenever I was braking and that stopped when it was replaced. Now I'm starting to hear the same creaking noise again, albeit much less than before. Any thoughts?
first time posting on thirdgen.org. I hope this is the correct part of the forum for my posting.
So the passenger side ball joint broke end of last year. My mechanic replaced it but I was wondering what other major steering or hardware maintenance I should do since that incident could have been catastrophic on the freeway!
I also posted about this on earlythirdgen.com. Some helpful guys on there mentioned replacing the whole front end steering system since a ball joint breaking was pretty rare and there might be bigger issues going on.
Also before the ball joint broke, there was a lot of metal creaking noise coming from the front of the car, whenever I was braking and that stopped when it was replaced. Now I'm starting to hear the same creaking noise again, albeit much less than before. Any thoughts?
#2
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Car: 91 Camaro RS T-Top
Engine: 5.0 Tbi
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: broken passenger side ball joint and required maintenance
If one ball joint was bad then 9 times put of 10 it's time to replace the other side as well. And steering linkage from one tie rod to the other isn't that expensive. I've just replaced all the steering linkage on mine, including the steering box and the idler arm. Next I'm doing ball joints and control arm bushings.
#3
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Car: 1984 Firebird Trans am
Engine: 5.0 HO 4BBl
Transmission: one that kind of works
Axle/Gears: some that turn the wheels
Re: broken passenger side ball joint and required maintenance
good call! Yeah I replaced both of them then. Forgot to mention that
#4
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Car: 1989 Pontiac Formula 350
Engine: L98
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: BorgWarner 3.27 Posi
Re: broken passenger side ball joint and required maintenance
If you're down there I'd just change most of the steering out. Center Link, Idler Arm, both Tie Rod ends, sway arm bushings, etc. I did my shocks and springs at the same time, too. The car drives and handles like new!
#5
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Car: 1984 Firebird Trans am
Engine: 5.0 HO 4BBl
Transmission: one that kind of works
Axle/Gears: some that turn the wheels
Re: broken passenger side ball joint and required maintenance
What are the best brands for parts? Any suggestions?
#6
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Car: 1989 Pontiac Formula 350
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Axle/Gears: BorgWarner 3.27 Posi
Re: broken passenger side ball joint and required maintenance
Moog makes good OEM replacements from my personal experience.
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#8
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Car: 1984 Firebird Trans am
Engine: 5.0 HO 4BBl
Transmission: one that kind of works
Axle/Gears: some that turn the wheels
Re: broken passenger side ball joint and required maintenance
thanks for your help and suggestions guys!
I'm on it.
I'm on it.
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