Dennis Smink
Active Member
I replaced the lower ball joints in my truck yesterday. Thanks to swshawaii for a link to a good how-to and cayman for his how-to!
It took me about 5 hours, including a run to Advance Auto for a pickle fork. Yes, you do need a pickle fork!
Some advice
Put the grease fitting in when you get the joint in. The first side I didn't and had to take brake caliper, dust shied, etc. off to get to it. Make sure you orient them so you can get to them for greaseing.
Use lots of PB Blaster!
The bolt holding the upper joint is knocked out. You might have to twist it to loosen it but it doesn't screw out.
I used the ball joint press to take out the first one, used a mallet for the second one. The mallet was easier.
Pressing the joint in was difficult because the screw in the press was high and hit the cv axle. Not sure how to get around that other than taking the cv axle out.
It took me about 5 hours, including a run to Advance Auto for a pickle fork. Yes, you do need a pickle fork!
Some advice
Put the grease fitting in when you get the joint in. The first side I didn't and had to take brake caliper, dust shied, etc. off to get to it. Make sure you orient them so you can get to them for greaseing.
Use lots of PB Blaster!
The bolt holding the upper joint is knocked out. You might have to twist it to loosen it but it doesn't screw out.
I used the ball joint press to take out the first one, used a mallet for the second one. The mallet was easier.
Pressing the joint in was difficult because the screw in the press was high and hit the cv axle. Not sure how to get around that other than taking the cv axle out.
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