I've watched several KZread videos to enable me to do the maintenance on my van, I gotta say... THIS is the best 'how to' video ever, You show and describe every step clearly, adding the fun sound effects when things go flying and all. Thank you for taking time and sharing your knowledge, Much Appreciated !!!

Love the moose comment. You are awesome! Thanks for showing the tricks. I'll be making good use of a small sledge hammer thanks to you. I have a trick to share that I learned 30 yrs ago from a girlfriend who figured it out just by watching what I was doing and being sharp. My Chevy E3500 lower broke tonight just as I started to back in the drive. For some reason , roadside assistance couldn't find a tow and kicked it back to USAA Insurance who got me one in 30 minutes from the time they called me. Old boy backed up to me like it was nothing (in the dark) and backed me in. So the whole time I was waiting, I just went online and found my part at a local parts store, got out the jack, jack stands, and tools so I can be ready for Salvos to drop me off a new ball joint in the AM. Then I thought to check here for tricks, so I came inside, made a 3 cup cup of coffee, and watched you while I waited. This is going to be the easiest ball joint in my life so far, but I'm going to set myself up with some snap-on action like you have just in case I have to mess with this again and those tools have lots of uses anyway. So... I don't have a ball joint press nor do I care to have to return a loaner, Last time I did that there were parts missing 'cause they didn't look when the customer returned it. Anyway, the aforementioned old girlfriend suggested I set a socket on a cinder block I was already using and lower the lower ball joint down onto the socket. Then, with the weight of the vehicle helping out, I beat down on the lower control arm and in went the ball joint. Hopefully it will work as well on an E3500 as it did on a Chevy Monza. Thaty was my first ball joint. I love chicks like that and the funny thing is, her dad sucked at mechanics (and everything else he laid hands on.) Contrast that with the wife of an old friend of mine whining about a loose frying pan handle. I said, "Don't you have a Philips in the drawer? Just tighten it." She said, "I'm not any good with stuff like that." If that happened these days I'd reply, "If you say so,." Folks, whether you say you can or you say you can't, you're right. I swear some people curse their whole day before their feet even hit the ground.

I got one estimate for my 2002 Express van today and that shop said I needed all new upper and lower control arms too to replace the ball joints. I'm getting another estimate tomorrow. If I only had a lift and was 40 years younger. Thanks!

Thanks for sharing. Love the intro. Good sense of humor. Great tips

You’re a good man for making these videos to help people with their vans. Respect!

Great video & great info, thank you Dr.! Never heard anyone mention the importance of proper torque on ball joint castle nuts, well done!

I'm not critisizing.But I recently bought a bottle jack when I recieved it it was so small I thought I'd been ripped off because it was miniture so now I know what I'm going to use it for .Brilliant tutorial video without many of which, I wouldn't know what to do, so thanks

You are the man:D If i lived near you, I'd take all my repairs to you. But, I did just replace upper/lower ball joints on my 2500 gmc savana 6.5 just like you did and man. Everything in there is heavy duty (my first rodeo). But thanks to you, I did it with confidence. I loved watching the lower ball joints come out with enough wacks of my 2.5 DB.

Great video, i accidentally found one of your videos, and now, i have been watching them all...

@ThecardoctorTV

8 жыл бұрын

+totenkopfelite you're doing the right thing. The more a Car Doctor videos you watch, the smarter you get!

Clean video, well presented, with humor and I get to do my 2500 without problem.

Thanks a ton for this! Saved me hundreds of dollars. Keep them moose antlers out of yer lap brotha, wishing you lots of Moog availability in the future

I need to watch This Video over and Over never Did mechanic in my life want to try on my Chevy express

Thanks for the quickie refresher, Doc. I'm a mechanic at a local fleet maintenance shop and I appreciate greatly the torque specs for the ball joint nuts. Also want to share a tip with you. I noticed that your gloves tore pretty quickly. Try using some gloves called Astrogrip. I get them at my local O'Reilly Auto. They're a thicker glove and they have a really good texture. They don't tear as easily as the kind you were using. But they're not as thick and restrictive as the Thicksters I get at Napa. Give 'em a try; I think you'll like them.

@ThecardoctorTV

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I’ll check out the gloves. I like these because I get two boxes for $20

Excellent video. Just made my day a whole lot easier.

Thank you Sir! I followed your video and now my creep van is more stealthy. I will buy a air hammer though for the other side ball joints!

I like your light who makes it also good job a real mechanic.I have a 2004 express van will be replacing bushings and ball joints.

Thank you very much for your video man. You saved me hours of work had I tried this with out your guidance. Awesome job explaining and demonstrating. 👏 kudos.

Very well done from 1to10 ur a 12. Keep it up wee need more videos like this.

Nice Tim- your so right about the air hammer, I had a cheezy IR and it just bounced off the rivets. Wow I'm surprised there's no retaining clip on the lower ball joint, just pressed in . 👍

@ThecardoctorTV

9 жыл бұрын

Steve Rob I struggled with a garbage air chisel for years and finally broke down and picked this one up. No regrets!

@jesseback3536

5 жыл бұрын

I used a hammer and chisel... uuh... need air tools.

beautiful to watch you working in a smart way!

i have the same van....the chevy version though 2002 express 3500...best vehicle ive ever owned

Thanks for the how to... It helps to show the spots where I could save time....

Thanks for the video. Just finished removal of 1 side.

Thank you. Once in a while we should all get a gravy job!

@skills1989

8 жыл бұрын

would a broken ball joint make a the van drop where the fender n tire be 1 inch away from touching?

@ThecardoctorTV

8 жыл бұрын

Possibly but may also be a problem with torsion bar (in the case of this van) or coil spring on a 2wd van

@skills1989

8 жыл бұрын

+The Car Doctor. How can I check to see if its the torsion bar? or how do i check if it is the torsion bar? thank you

@ThecardoctorTV

8 жыл бұрын

Is it two wheel drive or 4X4? what year make and model? A coil spring is above the spindle and mostly on 2wd vehicles. The torsion bar runs along just under the frame rail from the mid point of the vehicle and extends into the lower control arm.

@skills1989

8 жыл бұрын

+The Car Doctor Its a 1995 chevy astro awd, I was doing yard work an i heard a pop with a squeak noise and it drop like 3 to 4 inches

Good job and even humorous. I could do this now except for the lower OTC ball joint clamp.

@ThecardoctorTV

8 жыл бұрын

You can get an off brand press for about $40-50 on Amazon. Thanks for watching.

@doomsdaybob3117

7 жыл бұрын

Stefan, some of our local auto parts stores will let you borrow or rent specialty tools. Some will charge you the full amount but then refund the charge when you return the kits. Nice to do if you're not going to be doing this all the time. Of course, any reason to buy new tools is a good reason!

@pilgrimj37

5 жыл бұрын

"Of course, any reason to buy new tools is a good reason." Yep! Ha!

Thank you so much. This really helped a great deal.

Good job, and thanks for the info on aftermarket parts, any time your doing these jobs it nice to know which ones are good and which are junk.

@ThecardoctorTV

9 жыл бұрын

camshaftP16 Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

You’re such a good Mecanic. Thanks for sharing this video. You got a new subscriber

Great video. I went through the same thing with air hammers. Bought the Snap On air hammer and love it . Its a beast.

@ThecardoctorTV

9 жыл бұрын

***** It will rock your world for sure. Thanks for watching!

Total pro! Thanks for the vid!!

Thanks a lot. Going to save myself about 750, the shop says they don't do this they have to to replace upper and lower control arms.

@ThecardoctorTV

7 жыл бұрын

Interesting. They must not have a ball joint press or something. Hope it goes super smooth! Take care

Your video was essential to my success today. Thank you so much!

@ThecardoctorTV

8 жыл бұрын

+randel robbins Excellent! Love a good success story.

Very helpful and very clear to understand great video thanks so much

Thanks for the video. You made that look easy. I think I should be good to go!!!

Good job thank you for posting.

JUst subbed from upstate NY. No rust on that old thing, I'm surprised living in the salt belt. Half the job here is dealing with stuck fasteners.

@ThecardoctorTV

8 жыл бұрын

I can not fathom your pain! I hate rust. Every time I get a car up here from that area I don't even know what to do with it. My hats off to you guys. Thanks for the sub. See you around.

@pilgrimj37

5 жыл бұрын

You ain't kiddin' on the rust. Side note of doing any of these jobs is taking time to bang the flake rust off rotors so it doesn't fall off and get trapped between dust plate and rotor - LOL Syracuse, NY (The Salt City)

Great instructional video. Thank you for sharing.

Good video. I see so many that are just horrible! IF....I still had the tools, the lift, etc, I could do this repair after watching this. Best part of the video, is it let me know that I could do this, but it's going to take some effort. I'll be 4 hours to your 40 minutes. Wish your shop was in So Cal!

@ThecardoctorTV

9 жыл бұрын

+Richard Holt Maybe I'll open a So Cal location and I can surf on my days off! Thanks for tuning in!

You rock! Thank you so much for the super helpful videos! Gonna save me lots of $$

you are a big help to me thanks Doc.!

@ThecardoctorTV

8 жыл бұрын

+David Thourogood Glad to assist! thanks for dropping by the shop.

Enjoyed video!

Nice job , Thanks for posting this

God bless you for sharing

thanks for the torque specs

This guy is good that's a tough job!

Great video. Excellent production.

Great video, the shop light and GoPro is awesome!

That air hammer is sweet I love it.. Didn't love the 500 dollar price tag though great video 👍

@ThecardoctorTV

9 жыл бұрын

+mikkehdez Worth the investment! Your wife will be impressed if nothing else.

@Clodbuster1977

8 жыл бұрын

About 200 on eBay for a nice used one....

CONGRATULATION DOCTOR IMSO HAPPY THE WAY YOU TEACH ME TO DO TH JOBNOW IM READY TO SAVE A 350 BUCKS THANKS FOR THE VIDEO

@ThecardoctorTV

8 жыл бұрын

+apostolico full Awesome! You can buy me a Diet Pepsi with the savings next time you're in this neck of the woods...You always wanted to visit Alaska didn't you?

T so muchs Mr for chare you experience in mecanic repairs gbu.!!!

Perfect for what I needed. Thx.

really good video thanks...

Nice thanks alot for the vid.

Great video i jave an 01 1500 i need to do the lower ball joints, thank you!

I like raybestous . thanks again great show

@ThecardoctorTV

9 жыл бұрын

hddm3 thank you for watching!

I love my SnapOn air chisel too!

@ThecardoctorTV

6 жыл бұрын

Yes, very nice tool! Use it all the time

@timthemechanix

6 жыл бұрын

I used one like yours for about 5 years until it busted in 2 right behind the quick release. The replacement is newer and it doesn't seem to have to power as the old. Picked up the new ball joint press and it's impressive. The Savana I just did had the other style upper control arm.

Love the videos... %100 knowledge not just quoting textbook nonsense. Yea you can drill it out OR use a BFH!!!!! LOL

Great job there really nice and clear video. By the way how did you know the torque specs? Written on the packaging of the new ball joints?

@mikedcc100

4 жыл бұрын

He mighta looked in a Haynes manual and wrote it down (he does glance off somewhere, it seems) so he's not stammerin' and stutterin' or he's just a good freakin' mechanic that's done this stuff so many times he can do it in his sleep. It's NOT on the package. To that, I can attest.

Enjoyed that, nice job

@ThecardoctorTV

9 жыл бұрын

James'sWorld Thank you! It was a fun job.

Good job

@ThecardoctorTV

9 жыл бұрын

wtbm123 Thank you.

It's important to wear protective eyewear

Thanks a lot for the step-by-step. the real ? is what gloves do you use. Mine tear with the first bolt.

Very informative!

@ThecardoctorTV

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks, glad you found it helpful. Take care

great Video man .

@ThecardoctorTV

9 жыл бұрын

stephen carnall glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!

Nice reverb , are you changing the churches van ball joint inside of the church ?

Don't know what scucumb means. Since I work in commercial construction in San Francisco don't need to hear about your sex change. Just interested in watching someone go through the processes before I change the bearings on my own van. Clearly your a professional at that trade at least. The rest of the entertainment is reason never to come back in the future. Excellent mechachanical advice. Thanks.

great vids ! thanks for making them, i just subed to your channel . i too had a few non snapper air hammers and finally broke down as well.........no regrets here gets the job done everytime .

@ThecardoctorTV

9 жыл бұрын

bluelightguy1 IR makes a good one also. Always a tough call spending a couple hundred on a new tool but no regrets on that purchase. Thanks for the complements!

Well done

Thanks you mister doctor appreciate

I wouldn't want to meet you in a back alley when you had that hammer

Can you get the ball joint out with a pickle fork if you dont have an air chisel?

@coyotefeather4896

4 күн бұрын

If anyone wants to know, yes I was able to get it out with just a pickle fork and a big hammer

T you for chare you experience in mecanic repairs gbu !!!!

Do you have a video on the side door (the one towards the rear) of an 2004 Express Van 3500 that's seized? I tried opening the stuck door too hard and it may have bent the hinges a little. Was going to try to lubricate the hinges and maybe try to wack the hinges back in position (with a 2 x 4). Any suggestions on lubricating the hinges or getting them back in position. They only need to be moved slightly. Thanks

U r the man

Thank you very mach doctor.good jop

Awesome

great video man.

another good video sir.

@ThecardoctorTV

7 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

GOOD VIDEO,THANK YOU.

@ThecardoctorTV

8 жыл бұрын

+Ricardo Lira thank you for watching!

hello and thanks for video. may i ask why gmc changed their front wheel bearind assembly? because my 2008 gmc savana cargo van has a 4 bolt bearing hub.i need to replace my front left and the 4 bolts are heavily rusted. do you think atleast one of them will not be removable. what should i do ?

@ThecardoctorTV

7 жыл бұрын

All you can do is try. Maybe youll need to use a cutting torch and replace all the bolts.

is there any fear of the spring flying out and harming you or no, i need to do this to my van but only have floor jacks and jack stands

@dontclickthat

9 жыл бұрын

+john doe no, the spring shouldn't fly out or anything as long as the shock is still connected

@drywallsculptingwithjason7137

9 жыл бұрын

cool i got it all done now and all was ok and thanx for the reply

@ThecardoctorTV

9 жыл бұрын

+john doe Yes the shock will hold the spring but I also suggest you place the jackstand so that the control arm rests on it but you still have room to press the ball joint out. That keeps the spring compressed as well. Thanks for tuning in!

@drywallsculptingwithjason7137

9 жыл бұрын

thanx i did use stand under lower control arm to keep it in place and got all fixed thanx for the vids

7:05, impact universal joint. Thanks for the guide.

Are you still responding to comments or questions? My husband is working on replacing ball joints on 2001 gmc savanna however the ball joints aren’t coming off. The old ball joints are round, is there a different way to remove these?

Hi excuse me how I can found that front shocks for Chevy Express 1500 with 3in lift

It's crazy that you had to turn the whole van upside down just to install the grease fitting on the upper ball joint. What kind of jack did you use for that?

@ThecardoctorTV

3 жыл бұрын

Its a top secret jack. all i can say.

Excellent'

Is the foot lbs for the ball joints the same for a 1500 of the same year

Thank you :)

do you have to remove the upper to replace the lower

Very good videos!! Question: I got a 2009 GMC Savana Conversion van. It shakes about 60-65 mph, I took it to the shop and they told me the tie rods needed to be replaced. They did replace them plus they did alignment and balance the tires. It keeps shaking 😢 any suggestions!! Please 🙏

@ThecardoctorTV

Жыл бұрын

Bent rim. Bad tire.

@AguerridozDTC

Жыл бұрын

@@ThecardoctorTV hello good morning thanks for your response. When a mechanic specialist does the tire balance. They can tell if there’s a bent rim or bad tire correct? I am just wondering

@AguerridozDTC

Жыл бұрын

@@ThecardoctorTV let say if there is not bad tire or bent rim. What else could cause the shaking?

Gracias señor por tus videos me ahorre 700 dolares

Riveted ball joints? What were they thinking??

@ThecardoctorTV

8 жыл бұрын

Who knows. Somebody thought it was a good idea.

@wolfenstien13

5 жыл бұрын

It almost makes you wanna being it into a dealership. Doesn't it?

Did you need to compress the coil springs before removing the ball joints? I have a 2007 chevy express van. I want to change the ball joints. Do I need to compress the springs?

I did all kinds of searches, but couldn't find air hammer made by Skoogum... ;)

I like how th knuckle and caliper just hangs there lol

@ThecardoctorTV

8 жыл бұрын

I think I supported it with a wire. It certainly wasn't hanging by the brake hose. That wouldn't be good.

@stefanmeyers2808

8 жыл бұрын

Yes you supported it with a wire and warned everyone else too also.

This is my kind of doctor

Thank you My GMC is a 1500 hit a tree! got all the other stuff OK but the doors do not shut right? Can you help? sorry savana

I was told that I need a lower ball joint, is there much difference in just replacing the lower ball joint(besides the obvious, removing the rivets)? Or do you recommend doing both(lower/upper) at the same time?

@ThecardoctorTV

9 жыл бұрын

+Kyle Smith I have found that most of these go at about the same time. That said there is certainly nothing wrong with replacing just a lower if that's the only bad part. Just know that most alignment shops will decline doing the work of it still has other bad parts. And rightly so since loose parts prevent accurate setting of alignment angles. Thanks for stopping by!

Awesome video! Would a 1994 Chevy G20 be similar to this as in removal/installation? I am under the impression that on the older models (coil spring separate from shock) the lower control arm MUST be supported at all times when servicing ball joints. What are your thoughts? Thank you!

@ThecardoctorTV

7 жыл бұрын

You know I'm not looking at one right now and it's been a while and I have a really bad memory and I don't want to give bad advise. I think you're correct about the need to support the arm but isn't the shock connected? The shock has to be connected to the suspension somehow. If I think of it I'll look at the manual and follow up here but I suggest you grab a manual and be safe. Thanks so much for dropping by.

@toyotaracing5578

7 жыл бұрын

The shock is mounted sideways beside the coil spring. (appears to be a unique set up) The manual states to support the control arm from below although sometimes manuals can be a bit vague..I feel sometimes its best to reference experience. Thank you for posting!

Groovy