2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Ball Joints

[DieselNasty]

Soon I will be doing ball joints and would like to know what is involved is changing these things without a special press?



Another thing that needs to be done is the passenger side axle seal. What are some tips for doing this job?

 

[dslmacdown]

Ball joints are a straight forward job, but I would rent or borrow some kind of press. It will make the job so much easier.

 

[F-15I Ra'am]

Go to: quad4x4.com . It should answer all of your questions.

 

[CumminsPower98]

The way I do it is to take the steering knuckles off and take them to a local shop and have them do the pressing. It takes only a short time and doesn't cost much.

 

[TJarecke]

I went to quad4x4 for both problems. I bought the parts and the tools to do the swap. The instructions definately help a first timer and the tools make installing the seal much easier.

I would also second the press on the ball joints. You can try to hammer them out but have fun. I would probably take them to a shop to press them also. It takes most of the headache out of the replacement.

 

[BDanner]

Wheel bearing woes!

Price the front wheel bearings into the job as they must be removed from the hub.



If you are luckier than most they will come out without busting them out. If you read through alot of the steering sucks posts you will find this a common theme in changing out ball joints. My wheel bearings with ABS sensors were about $360 each!



Also use anti-seize on everything! This is mentioned everywhere, because you may be back on those ball joints in 25,000 miles and it helps with the disassembly process.



Now is the time also to change out your front axle u-joints $36 plus or minus, your choice of greasable or nongreasable.



Just my 2 cents worth of experience going down this road.





Bruce in Northern Virginia

 

[DieselNasty]

Thanks for the replies, i have already put on new bearings a wile ago and did use anti seize. I have greaseable U joints, I will be doing pads and having the rotors turned, and I may also buy some new studs for the wheel. I actually do have a hydrolic press I can use, but not the special one that is recomended. So can I use the big press?

 

[CFast]

If I had to do it again I would take a torch to that POS wanna be dana60, drop the $$$$ on a REAL dana 60 (ie, a 35 spline) and put it in. The jackass that designed that axle should have his *** kicked on a daily basis. It's garbage and not worth spending money on. By the time you get all the parts and tools you need just to change the ball joints( which are too freakin small), you're half way to the price of a real axle. Next time my ball joints fail, out comes the torch. Ok, rant over. Call quad 4x4, get their stuff, don't even start working on it until their parts and tools arrive.

 

[vssman]

The way I do it is to take the steering knuckles off and take them to a local shop and have them do the pressing. It takes only a short time and doesn't cost much.

I have to agree. I bought a ball joint press and it wouldn't budge them - ended up at a local auto machine shop. They wanted 16. 00 to remove & install each joint. Money well spent IMHO.