Well I discovered that my lil truck desperately needs upper ball joints. Looks like I have a project for next weekend already. So, any ideas as to where I should buy a pickle fork? I couldn't care less about damaging the old ball joints since they're getting replaced anyway. I know Canadian Tire has the right tools but there's usually better options. Any ideas?

 

Doesn't crappy tire rent them for free?.....would be a better option i would think instead of purchasing them, unless your coming over to do mine also

 

Unless you're going to be forkin a lot pickles in a lifetime I'd suggest the crap tyre loaner or just buy one of their el-cheapo ones.

 

Well considering that the S-series is notoriously bad on upper ball joints, it might be a good idea to buy rather than borrow. The damned thing will probably need tie-rod ends eventually anyway. Is it a really bad idea to drive it with bad upper ball joints? I'd really rather not leave my GTA outside Sheridan at night during my welding class.

 

I just bought one last week at CTC $29 works great! Well worth the $$ if your a DIY type.

 

How lucky do you feel..? I've seen what happens when a balljoint snaps - although rare it isn't pretty. Spend the money now and fix it before it breaks and then wrecks the rest of your front end. I would think its even more important on a 4X4 where the center of gravity is higher with a greater potential for a roll if you happen to be turning..

 

I have one you can borrow it..BTW I lost the inner cv joint when the balljoint let go of my Cadillac

 

Kaz, CTC? Canadian Tire, or am I missing something?

I don't have much choice but to drive it at least a couple of days this week. Lil Jimmy's tough, I have faith in him. Hell the ball joint has probably been worn out for months at least anyway. Another couple of trips to work, Napa, and back shouldn't be too much for the old clunker.

Thanks for the offer Daz, but odds are this won't be the only time I'll need one so I should just bite the bullet and buy my own. I guess there won't be any offroading for me this weekend.

 

Well I replaced my driver's side upper ball joint in my truck yesterday. I can't believe how well the pickly fork and a four pound sledge worked. Unfortunately, the damn thing still feels like hell. It feels like a rough bearing or CV joint in the left front when driven, but feels just like the right side when spun by hand. I hope it's not a bearing, those hub assemblies are stupidly expensive...