How to change a Jeep Ball Joint?

[PToombs]

Hi guys, here's the deal. Wifes Jeep, '96 Grand Cherokee Laredo, the upper ball joint is bad on the passenger side. I looked at it and didn't see anything obvious. Is it pressed in? Or screwed in? It's rusty so I can't see if it has flat spots on it to screw it out. I need to do the brakes and noticed the joint was whupped. It's due for inspection by the end of the month so I have to get it done.

TIA,

 

[Matt400]

Pressed in same as our trucks.

I would do both joints on that side.

A write up on an older model can be found here:

Adjustable Ball Joints yours wont have that spanner sleeve requiring the spanner socket and the write up is for adjustable ball joints which you shouldn't need on a standard replacement for wear.



Hope this helps. . have a great weekend!

 

[PToombs]

Matt, thanks for the reply. I did it this morning, what a PITA. Worst part was the thought of having to remove the bearing, axle and stuff to do it. Luckily I had the bearing out before and it was well neverseized. I even finished fixing the sway bar linkage I started 2 years ago. :-laf

 

[ryecreek]

sway bar links keep breaking? so do my wifes

 

[PToombs]

Weeeeeeelll, not really keep breaking. It pulled the ball out of the socket a couple years ago, and was making an awful bang when it hit together, so I cut the top 4 inches of the link off with the torch. I then promptly went and got a kit, and let it sit for a few months. Then when I got a chance, (and motivated ) I tried to replace it, I couldn't get the nut off the bottom bolt, and that was rusted in the sway bar and wouldn't move either. It's hard to get a straight shot on the nut because of the stabilizer mount. I split the nut with the torch and still couldn't get it to move. I got frustrated, and left it for a year and a half or so. I figured I wasn't going to get any closer so I did it while I was right there doing the other crap. I had to split the nut more and then it came off sorta decent. I even found the kit on the bench! That was more work than getting the rest of the link off! :-laf



The new link has a grease fitting on the ball, so it may last longer. If it gets greased more often than the ball joint did.