98 upper ball joints 2wd

[cajunman87]

i have heard a few things about changing the upper ball joints on a 98. some say to just throw away the entire upper control arm and get a new one with a new ball joint in place, and others say that the ball joints have to be pressed out with a hydrolic press. are they in there that tight that a normal ball joint press can't get them out? i have already changed my lowers but did not have enough time to get to my uppers. if anyone has any suggestions i would apreciate it.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

ive never seen anyone press the upper balljoints out. i wasnt aware you could...

 

[thegoat4]

I pressed mine. One took 20 tons to pop loose. The other was a lot less--maybe five. You need something that can directly support the flange around the ball joint cup and survive lots and lots of force without exploding. Like a big impact socket. Don't use chrome.

 

[PlumCrazy]

good to know I'm not the only one with a pile of junk impact sockets that are kept for pressing things out.LOL