Axel Joints, Ball joints: Tips, parts, advice.

[JasonCzerak]

My u-joints have been lose up front few a few miles now. I've ordered a set of PRECISION 464's for the front axle.



The Ball joint on the upper passenger side is a little lose. Spicers or Moog's?



I've read enough to wish to stay away from adjustable. My tires ware perfect so I'd like to keep everything in the stock spots. Tho greaseables would be required and I hear Spicers/Dana are the way to go here (napa?).



As far as installation. I've never done this kinda repair and might wanna tackle it. I've been unable to come across a 3rd gen thread that details this process. If anyone know has a thread they know of, link it here please!



Can anyone outline a process (with pics if possible) on how this is done? What tools? What tooks can I rent locally, I know of 2 that I'll need, the hub puller and the ball joint compressing deal. ect, ect ,ect. (assuming there isn't another thread, don't wanna re-invent the wheel here).





Thank you!.









Local drive line shop wants $500 in labor to do all 4 ball joints and 2 axle joints. Looking to avoid this cost.

 

[rbattelle]

I can't speak to the ball joints, but the front axle universals are pretty easy. They're small, and the press fit on them is light (at least compared to the fit on the rear driveshaft joints).

Have you ever done a universal before?

Ryan

 

[RRees]

Jason,



I replaced the balljoints in my 99 2500, only it was a V10. I purchased the ball joint press (big C clamp) for about $100. 00. Works pretty good.



If you can change u-joints, you can change ball joints. You're half way there when you remove the axels to do the u-joints anyway.



If you were closer I'd stop up and help you. Sorry, I didn't take any pictures when I did that. Didn't have a digital camera then.

 

[JasonCzerak]

Jason,

I replaced the balljoints in my 99 2500, only it was a V10. I purchased the ball joint press (big C clamp) for about $100. 00. Works pretty good.

If you can change u-joints, you can change ball joints. You're half way there when you remove the axels to do the u-joints anyway.

If you were closer I'd stop up and help you. Sorry, I didn't take any pictures when I did that. Didn't have a digital camera then.

I've done an drive shaft joint or 2 in my day. nothing in the innards of a front axle.

There is also a tool to pull the hub assembly out? I suppose buying the tools to do so is cheaper then the labor for some one else as well


4 hours one way is a hike.

 

[JFaughn]

Jason
I just did mine last weekend [ 94 ] I think the main difference is the rotor come off easier on yours [ but that doesn't matter for this job .
Also the knuckle is a little different , similar to how the Dana is set up for Ford [ but again not an issue related to doing ball joints ]
I biggest part is having the right tools , wheel puller - bearing ***. , 1/2 impart for getting nuts lose , impact hammer to help move things & a gear puller if the knuckle does not want to come lose from the axial .
The tools need to be a good quality to do the job , they do not have to be the best , but not the cheapest , the cost of the tools listed [ air compressor not included ] is about what it would cost to have a shop do it , but then you've got the tools .
Where abouts in MPLS. are you , might be able to help in a pinch ?

 

[JasonCzerak]

Jason

I just did mine last weekend [ 94 ] I think the main difference is the rotor come off easier on yours [ but that doesn't matter for this job .

Also the knuckle is a little different , similar to how the Dana is set up for Ford [ but again not an issue related to doing ball joints ]

I biggest part is having the right tools , wheel puller - bearing ***. , 1/2 impart for getting nuts lose , impact hammer to help move things & a gear puller if the knuckle does not want to come lose from the axial .

The tools need to be a good quality to do the job , they do not have to be the best , but not the cheapest , the cost of the tools listed [ air compressor not included ] is about what it would cost to have a shop do it , but then you've got the tools .

Where abouts in MPLS. are you , might be able to help in a pinch ?

Brooklyn center. I'll send you a PM on this in a minute.