How do I change ball joints on my 1988 chevy silverado truck?

You need to get a ball joint separator you can get one from Autozone, Advance, etc. Then also buy a Chilton%26#039;s or Haynes%26#039;


manual, it will tell you everything you have to do step by step to get the job done. You will still need to get your truck aligned but if your ball joints are worn you need an alignment anyway. As long as you don%26#039;t remove or adjust the tie rods it shouldn%26#039;t hurt to drive a short distance to get the truck aligned. You can alway have it towed to get it aligned. If you are not very mechanically inclined I do not recommend trying to do this repair by yourself.|||with a wrench|||Just take it to a mechanic. Once the ball joints are replaced it needs to be realigned anyway. Which can%26#039;t be done in your home garage.|||you will need some specialty tool,s to do this.....a spring compressor [ for coil spring,s].....a ball joint separation fork....you will also need to grind/chisel the retaining rivet,s if they re original.......remove the ball joint retaining nut...separate the ball joint/lower a frame assembly from the spindle assembly....support the lower a frame...remove retaining hard ware at the ball joint...wait ...compress the spring first...to re leave any pressure...reassemble in reverse order....take it for an alignment....good luck!