arrrrg! ball joints!

[Denisefwd93]

My job on this is to get the proper tools, have a pickle fork, but which would a better tool to buy or rent?

Further reading brings me to the big C clamp/press for the boll joints.

Can the camber bushings be marked and put back about where they were when the new ball joints are in. (still need adjustment I'm sure. )

 

[RonD]

Couple of good reads in this section: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/index-wheels.shtml
Making your on ball joint tool is one

 

[adsm08]

I am partial to a proper ball joint press tool. They look like a C-clamp, but are much much heavier. I just rent the master kit at Advance, its like $230 deposit but you get it all back, so worth the trip. I have damaged standard duty C-clamps compressing brake calipers.

The camber slugs can be marked, but it isn't real accurate, and will probably still require adjustment.

 

[Denisefwd93]

Thanks, Ron adsm I'm not a fan of big heavy hammers and renting the Big C makes lots of sense. Looks like the R side axle U joints bad too. My "trusted" shop said I didn't need ball joints but the R lower moves like a 3/8" eek!
Sigh.

Gotta love Youtube LOL
https://youtu.be/37NgLM4tIzw

 

[Denisefwd93]

ok.. still doing my studies on this ..

The right front axle has a slip joint under the boot right? (1993) it appears so whel laying under the truck in the rain lol

Also only the lower ball joint is loose. can the knuckle be removed and not damage the upper? which is still tight. (I know do them both. )

Thinking something like this is what's needed?

 

[Denisefwd93]

Or this? https://youtu.be/uHgQh8zUlks

 

[heavy breather]

http://www.tooltopia.com/otc-tools-...jvhvLAJ-jhExRuV8yc_eFgxW_RuHmjHTJkaAoNH8P8HAQ

this is the proper tool for ball joints. Not only using the right, tool, but a good one makes a lot of difference in how well the job goes, I have done quite a few in my day, and I can tell you from experience, its worth it to get a good one. Orielly's are usually bent, and that makes them hard to use.

 

[heavy breather]

Or this? https://youtu.be/uHgQh8zUlks

I have never used one of those tools, I always use a hammer and smack the knuckle a few times, and the ball joint usually pops right out.

You need to use the the ball joint press to remove the ball joint from control arm.

 

[heavy breather]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37NgLM4tIzw

 

[Patrick]

A sucky ball joint tool can make the job harder. I used one from AutoZone and it didn't fit perfectly, so it took a little finagling. One of the joints installs right next to a radius on the spindle, making it so the tool won't fit properly. Anyway, that kit in the video looks pretty good - especially the cups with the cutaways.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[Denisefwd93]

Thnjs everyone, youtube is great for learing! I Watch dozens of them when stsrting a project.

 

[heavy breather]

I do enough front end stuff that I bought my own Ball Joint press. Napa sells the OTC kit and so does Matco. they are not priced to bad for the basic kit, and you can get a master adapter set from Harbor Freight if you need more adapters. I bought the basic OTC kit on the Matco truck, and so far its been just fine.

Honestly to get better than the OTC, you will need to pony up the big money and by a Snap On ball joint press.

But if you only do yours once every couple of years, its probably not worth buying.

 

[Denisefwd93]

I'll rent the press from advanceauto or autozone not a prob. I have 40 years of contracting tools hvac tools and equipment, my sons' auto tools .. a full woodworking shop.. don't need "more" tools LOL

This is, imo one of the best Youtube vids on this topic. Long and talky.. but that's a good thing!

 

[Denisefwd93]

gotta love old school!

scary at first...

This from Harbor fright worked on the tie rod. but can't fit in between the beam and steering knuckle.

so it was the Pickle Fork. 3 whacks to set it.. 3 whacks to pop.. then oh.. the stupid nut was self locking spinning the stud.. pressed back in. took off the nut.. One whack down out it came!

Down the basement with pipe, vise, BFH the bottom without the snap ring came right out with only a few whacks on the stud. the top. used a pipe and bfh.

So.. getting there..

 

[cp2295]

U dont need a pickle fork and i find them alot harder to use than just a hammer. Just hit around the taper of the ball joint with a heavy ball peen. If youre a good shot and can smack it hard theyll pop free within a few blows. U can get the ball joint out with the round end of the ball peen which again i find is quicker and easier. As for installing u need to rent a proper ball joint press, ive air hammered them in before with the proper cones but its not as safe.

And disregard that lol i thought u had ifs. I always take those ones out with an air hammer personally.


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