replacing ball joints and suggestion for Caymen's project

[Ray McIntireJr]

Changed the lower ball joints thurs & fri. and it didn't go too bad. Checked out Caymen's project on it and my only suggestion would be that to find the proper sleeve for your paticular truck would be to take a new ball joint out of the box and see which sleeve will slide over the lip on the lower sinde of the joint. I felt under the lower A-arm and felt a lip there and assumed it was part of the lower A-arm. IT IS NOT. The top of the first ball joint I was working on is very dimpled to say the least. Changed the rotors, bearings, caliper brackets and pads too. My knees and back were killing me when I was finally done.

 

[Mel Pilgrim]

how long did it take you to do both sides - ball joints that is?



I am planning on doing my ball joints soon and also replacing rotors and pads too.

did you find any surprises or did it seem to go easy?



also, do you remember what size the nut is on the end of the axle? I did the ball joints on my wife's caravan and it was a larger size so I had to borrow a 3/4 inch driver and large socket.

thx

Mel

 

[Ray McIntireJr]

No I didn't keep track of the time but it seemed like I had to take several breaks to stretch out my back and knees. I think the on my 4x2 was 1 1/16". You will need to buy or rent a ball joint press because you have to press the old ball joints out and press the new ones in.

Also, if you have ear plugs I would suggest using them. Had a pounding headache from the impact air driver.