Lower Ball Joint replacement? ;(

[Kingoverace]

Of course I was reading the knowledgable 'Tech' page..... and see that replacing the lower ball joint requires your taking the entire hub assembly and cv axle out......

Just looking at this...I'm wondering, is it possible to just do this fix on the truck without taking the assembly apart? has anyone done this? Even if it was a PITA.....






**Got some camber and was just gunna get a alignment....but i hear the squeaking too....so prob needs Lower BJ and a alignment...

 

[4byranger2000xlt]

I didn't undo the hub and cv's on my 2000. Take off the brake caliper and rotor, undo the pinch bolt on the upper ball joint/spindle, remove the nut from the lower, and seperate. Just move the spindle/hub assembly/ cv to the side enough to work on the ball joint. I used a floor jack to seat my new lower ball joints, and a hammer to remove the old ones. And as long as the front of the truck is off the ground and supported anywhere other then on the front suspension, then you don't need to worry about the torsion bars at all.

 

[4byranger2000xlt]

Oh and you will probably need camber bolts and washers, if you don't already have them.

 

[88_Eddie]

dont take it anywhere, i got just the passenger side ball joint replaced and it was $400

 

[Kingoverace]

you did good then....just talked to a STS garage..looks like they want $475...not including an alignment......
so looks like a DIY.... sux...just did new wheel bearing hubs...put it back together...realized my cv might be shot.....coulda woulda shoulda while i was at it...and now the ball joint.....its like a complete rebiuld -_-

Are 2wd and 4wd lower ball joints the same? if not, where can i find some 4x4 for my 98?

 

[4byranger2000xlt]

I believe they are different but am not sure. I would check rockauto.com for ball joints.