2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission '95 2wd ball joints.. Coil Spring?

[onstottc]

I now have a set of Moog ball joints that I am planning on pressing in on my '95 2500 2wd. I've got a C-clamp ball joint press so I don't want to remove the control arms. Will I need to compress the coil spring to do this job? Yesterday I tried compressing the spring with a jack and chaining it, but that was not taking all of the tension off of the spring.



I'd appreciate any tips from someone who has done this on a 2wd!

 

[TGaines]

On my 96, I changed out the ball joints just using a jack under the lower control arm. I popped the ball joints loose from the spindle and then just pressed them out after removing the spindle. I hope this makes sense. I don't know if the 95 is different, but it wasn't that hard of a job. The upper joints were very difficult to break loose, but they went back together easily. I also did the outer tie rod ends at the same time. The spindle is heavy so be careful when you move it out of the way. My truck is a 2wd as well.



Travis

 

[mikel]

I have done this on my truck. You do not have to compress any spring, once you get the spindle loose from the ball joints you'll have plenty of room to work on everything.



You'll want to support the truck by the frame, high enough that the front can drop until it reaches the bottom of it's travel. At that point just seperate the ball joints from the spindle and as I recall there are snap rings on the ball joints that have to be removed before you can press them out.



Good Luck,

Mike

 

[onstottc]

Thanks guys! You were correct. I completed the passenger side last night. A lenghth of chain or stout rope is a must to hold the wheel because that wheel spindle is heavy!! (Ask my thumb!) And you need a Stout gear puller to pop the Joints loose. I found that the best method was to get the gear puller nice and tight and then give the Joint a few whacks with a ball peen hammer. My harbor Fright $38. 00 ball Joint press worked Extremely well.