front end repair questions

[raymondvillain]

My mechanic says my "front end is shot" and it will cost more than $1000 to repair because the vehicle is so old, it will require lots of man hours to work the bolts loose, etc.

So I'm going to try it myself. I have a tool to hammer the tie rod ends out, but what do I need to remove ( and install new) upper and lower ball joints?

He also said that the I beam bushings were bad and needed replacing. I have new ones from Ford. Are there any special tricks to getting these out and installing new ones?

The Haynes manual for this vehicle says I will have to remove the front springs. Are any special tools needed for this?

 

[rangerrager]

you will need a ball joint tool to remove the ball joints.not that hard.everything else is regular hand tools and wrenches.

 

[Ranger44]

A ball joint press would help out tremedously. It looks like a big c clamp.

If you are wanting to save ANY of the steering use a tie-rod puller. Hammering it out, you chance of screwing up the threads and won't be able to use it again.

You'll need a deep well that's 1 1/8" for the coil spring retaining nut. And just basic metric socket set, 8-22mm will get it. Highlighted, 8, 10, 11,12,13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21mm are the MOST used, IIRC.