The Ball Joint game ...tool help

[WRLIVE]

Hey guys I have been doing my homework on changing the ball joints out (and axle u-joints)on my truck. I have seen in a post that someone used an OTC-6290 puller for the hubs/bearings however in the description from OTC it says



"Services: Most 1/2-, 3/4-, & 1-ton GM 1988-2000 trucks and SUV’s; 1994-2000 Dodge Ram; 1997- 2000 Ford; 1985-2001 Jeep Cherokee. "



OTC Tool Manufacturer for Cars and Trucks : Products



Will this work for my 04? If not which is the correct/best puller to get.



Thanks,

 

[jbucha4]

these tools are from spx miller



Press the ball joint from the lower control arm

using special tools C-4212–F (PRESS), 8698-2

(RECEIVER) and 8698-3 (DRIVER)



a also a Remover part number 8677

 

[JEstes]

How much do those tools cost? I'm probably going to replace mine with the Carli ones, so I'm trying to decide if it's cheaper to do it myself or pay someone who already had the tools.

 

[WRLIVE]

Those look like they would work. $158 for the -F. Thankfully I've got a connection for removal/installer tool.

I'm just afraid that my truck having spent a couple years in the rust belt I'm going to need a good puller to the hub/bearing assembly off. What puller would you use for that?

Thanks,

 

[AMcCormick]

I used a bottle jack and a liberal amount of penatrant for removal. Then a fairly dense rubber mat, a heavy rubber malet and grease them for assembly. No speacial tools

 

[WRLIVE]

I used a bottle jack and a liberal amount of penatrant for removal. Then a fairly dense rubber mat, a heavy rubber malet and grease them for assembly. No speacial tools

Wow, hadn't thought of trying a bottle jack. How did you have it placed and where was the mat in relation to the jack?

Thanks,

 

[AMcCormick]

I was able to get the bottom joint out by smashing it with a heavy metal mallet and big punch, lots of penatrant. The top I used a long metal dowel that went from the bottle jack through the lower hole and on the bottom of the joint. Load the jack, soak with penatrant, smack with hammer. Slow and steady. Since replacing joints no worries about destroying them. If needed heat with a torch.

Used the bottle jack to install the new lower. greased up with the rubber mat between jack and new joint, slow and steady. New upper, removed the top grease fitting, rubber mat on top and whack it with a heavy rubber mallet. I work on boats so I'm used to dealing with frozen parts and make shift tools to do what you need to do. The proper tool is always the preferred method but sometimes you just have to make it work.

 

[RonD]

If you don't have a rust issue like some do, just remove the axle bolts almost completely, then tap with a hammer on the heads rotating one to another, it will pop out, I just did mine yesterday, new axle u-joints, new upgraded front steering kit, greeseable Ball Joints, and steering support kit, what an improvement.