2001 lower ball joint, HOW?

[keith3232]

hello, i've got everything takin apart, but can't seem to get the joint out. i've beat, you name it, and it just won't slide out. can any one help.
2001 ford ranger 4x4

 

[Earl43P]

Special tool.

Go to the AP store that rents it.
They charge your CC, then credit it back when you return the tool.

I've "heard" people have beat them out, but the tool works perfect, out and in.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/BallJoints.html

There's a photo of the tool in use here: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/balljoints2.htm

 

[keith3232]

what is it called?

 

[Crunchy]

Either a ball-joint press or you can get a larger set called a u-joint/ball joint press. They look like really big heavy duty c-clamps, with different sizes cups to put on the end. It comes with instructions on how to use it, you can't go wrong.

(picture is not a ranger btw)

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Its best to use the balljoint press kit as you can mess the hole up that the ball joint goes in and the new one will be a bit loose in the a arm.

 

[philS]

The ball joint press works like a charm.

I ended up just buying it after renting it a few times.

Luckily you can leave the arm in place to do lowers, but sometimes on cars that have an upper a-arm you have to remove the arm because there is no room to get the press in there.

You can use it on U-joints and control arm bushings, to name a few other uses.