2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission ball joint r/r question

[JCyrbok]

Was looking at my shop manual for ball joints as I am gonna be doing front hub bearing in the next week or so. I figure maybe do ball joints at the same time while everything is apart. truck is 01 4x4 2500.



Do you really have to remove the front axle shafts to replace the ball joints??? or if there enough room and movement in the front u-joints to get the ball joints in and out with out removing the axle shafts?



J-

 

[snappy]

Axle shafts have to come out. There is not enough room.

 

[snappy]

Saw your other thread, are you going to do the ball joints along with the hub bearings?

 

[JCyrbok]

Saw your other thread, are you going to do the ball joints along with the hub bearings?

I was going to keep my options open, if i get into it and they ball joints needed I would do them too. Uppers are only about 50k old as they were replaced at about 45k under my extended warrany. lowers are the original ones.



J-

 

[bboxall]

The lower ones take the majority of the abuse, I'd change them. My '01 quad cab has 143k miles on it and the lower ones are binding, upper ones are fine. I'm changing upper and lower and bearing units. While I'm in there I might as well!