first time doing ball joints

[MAKG]

I don't think a pitchfork is going to do you much good unless you're baling hay....

It's possible to R/R balljoints with a BFH, but I strongly prefer the balljoint press.

 

[TrexMex]

lol... meant picklefork!!!!

sorry... blonde moment....

thanks for the feedback

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

the pickle fork will separate the knuckle from the beam, but you cant remove balljoints from the knuckle with it. Hammer and punch or ujoint/ ball joint press. Either way works just fine.

 

[metalmacguyver]

To install the new ball joints with out damaging them, the ball joint press is needed.

 

[rboyer]

Usually you can go to almost any Autozone and borrow one if you give them a $100 deposit. You get your money back when you return the tool, so all in all it doesn't really cost you anything at all. Just go in and ask for OEM27023.

 

[Loanranger]

To install the new ball joints with out damaging them, the ball joint press is needed.

If you use a piece of pipe and a hammer, and take your time, you won't damage the ball joints. Imho, the press is a waste of money. Same goes for pressing u-joints, a socket and hammer in the right hands can be just as, if not more, efficient as a press.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

If you use a piece of pipe and a hammer, and take your time, you won't damage the ball joints. Imho, the press is a waste of money. Same goes for pressing u-joints, a socket and hammer in the right hands can be just as, if not more, efficient as a press.

A big X2

 

[compleckz]

If you use a piece of pipe and a hammer, and take your time, you won't damage the ball joints. Imho, the press is a waste of money. Same goes for pressing u-joints, a socket and hammer in the right hands can be just as, if not more, efficient as a press.

Agreed.

To install the new ball joints with out damaging them, the ball joint press is needed.

Disagreed.


screw ball-joint presses, and expired warranties. (harbor freight china crap FTL) this was my first time using it. i did my ball joints exactly one year ago with a hammer and pipe, and they are still tight--and the way i treat my truck--thats saying something. i also do all my u-joints with a hammer and socket.

in this pic u can see my hammer of choice.

 

[4x4junkie]

I have to disagree about that if you're talking a real shop press.

I've done the hammer & sockets method (also a big vise). Such methods do work, but when you put that baby in a 12T shop press and pull on the jack handle, it just pushes it right out like if it were butter (even badly rusted ones pop right out if you tap on the yoke or knuckle with a hammer while under load). You do have to be careful you don't bend u-joint yokes this way though, it can happen.

.

 

[compleckz]

I have to disagree about that if you're talking a real shop press.

definitely, i got to use a 6T shop press to do the sealed front wheel bearings on my old vw.

they needed to be pressed onto the hub, then that setup pressed into the knuckle. it was a 30 second operation on the press, smooth like buttah. it would be a HUGE pain any other way... if i had a shop press at my disposal, i would never go for the hammer.


but any of those C-clamp type things??? scrap metal.

 

[TrexMex]

well when I replaced my front axle U-joints I used a regular, out of autozone C-press with a pair of sockets and a vise to hold the press.... it was tricky for the first one, but after I got the feel for it they went out in a snap... I guess because I've never stopped to actually examine the ball joint assembly I have no idea how difficult it would be to use a set up like that to get'em out of there...

Question: The guy at the shop told me the lower ball joints seemed fine but I guess if the knuckles are already out there - and I'm pretty sure it will be a royal PITA to get 'em out - It would be a good idea to replace them as well?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

If you have the knuckles off, throw new lowers in as well. No point in having to redo it in a few months time if the lowers start developing slop.

 

[85DANGERanger]

how in the hell do you get the bottom balljoint out when the axle is over the top of them?? what if the castle nut is seased to the threads on the balljoint?? cut the nut off??

 

[4x4junkie]

how in the hell do you get the bottom balljoint out when the axle is over the top of them?? what if the castle nut is seased to the threads on the balljoint?? cut the nut off??

???

You're supposed to remove the axle first.

If the nut is frozen and the balljoint stud just spins, try putting a jack under the knuckle so there's pressure on it, and then try to unscrew it. If that doesn't work, then I guess you'll have to cut it off, yes.