balljoint frustration.

[Captain Ledd]

So I've reached the point where I've decided that before I permanently screw something up I'll get some second opinions. I'm basically re-doing the front end of this thing, all ball joints and tie rod ends, it's all factory and has 200,000 on it so I figure just do it all. I keep intending to do more work on the truck (like the 4x4 conversion) but I can't seem to keep enough money set aside, and it's getting too weird to drive.

'97 2wd

I've gotten everything else off the truck, spindle/knuckle and all. I've never done balljoints before and am running into issues. I have an actual Ford factory service manual, the only information that gives me is "press 'em out", so that's useless. The Haynes manual has some pics and is my main resource. Then the box the press thingy came in tells me to do it entirely backwards from the book.

The correct way to remove them is to have the receiver cup over the tapered shaft right? and not on the other side?

I have a 600ft lb impact and a 12 ton press and in all seriousness and a good 2 hours (reading and fiddling), I haven't gotten this damned balljoint to move in either/any direction. Putting a load on it and hammering around it as well (works for pitman arms) And I'm getting pretty frustrated and I know I have the tools to bend it all to hell.

Is it really just more force?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

You removed the snap ring on the lower one?

I always just put the knuckle in the vise and take them out with a large hammer and drift.

To install them I use a balljoint press and adapter kit.

 

[Captain Ledd]

yeah I removed the snap rings. The rest of the thing came apart super easy, I was amazed. I talked to a few other friends too and am going to give it another shot later today.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Yea there isn't really any tricks to it. Don't be scared to hit that mofo with a hammer.

 

[Earl43P]

If you are applying great force and it isn't moving, you have the set-up wrong.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/balljoints2.htm

Discount the fact it is a 4WD, the process is the same. These photos should get you there.

 

[Captain Ledd]

yup, got 'em finally. No thanks to other pictures telling me to do them differently.

The thing that gets me is, of how throughly (I thought at least) I've browsed the tech library, I never saw the balljoints article...

Thanks guys!