2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Tools needed for '02 4x4 ball joints?

[bbodammer]

Hey guys,



been searching the site awhile and there seems to be different tools needed for dif. years so any help would be appreciated. I'm going to do all 4 ball joints this weekend and need to be prepared. Truck has 74,000 and this is the 1st replacement. Thanks in advance!!



Brandon B

 

[DNewell]

I didn't realize that there were specific requirements for removal of the ball joints. I would think that a pickle fork and the proper sized socket with a air rachet would work. Seems to me that these two tools would get the job done right nicely...

 

[JEastbourn]

I would also appreciate any info from someone who has done this on an '02. I am going to do the driver side shortly on mine and don't really know what to expect. Thanks in advance.

 

[HDarga]

tools

Do a search and you should find more than a few posts on the subject. You'll need a fork for the tie rod ends, a ball joint press to remove & install the ball joints. You can borrow the tools from an Auto Zone if there's one near you. The hardest part is removing the hub because they are usually rusted in place. There's a few different methods to do this. Again, do a search for them. Be sure to use anti-seize when you reassemble.

 

[dslmacdown]

I replaced joints on mine a few weeks ago. I recommend buying the kit with tools from Quad4X4 and renting a joint press from Autozone. Also don't remove the axle hub nut, instead remove the hub and axle shaft together this will save you time. I did this as I could not find a big enough socket for the hub nut. I bought the Quad kit without tools ($215 vs. $299) but now believe that the tool kit is worth the extra money. I started with the passenger side because it had a loose upper joint. That side took me all day to do figuring out the press and frozen hub on knuckle. Using the socket and extention method to remove hubs working very well. Then the drivers side took about 3 hrs moving slowly.

Chris

P. S. My joints only lasted 28K miles

 

[bbodammer]

hey guys,



tackled my drivers side joints tonight and if it weren't for the pos press i got from o reileys, :-{} it would have been an ok experience. The extension trick using the power steering seemed to be the best option and of course a B. F. Hammer. We ended up using a big socket and a bottle jack with the weight of the truck and a couple of pounds from the hammer and got the new joints in. The old ones were rusted pretty bad so we torched them out. I will post back in a couple of days with all of the proper sockets etc. for the job. Am planning on getting a different press and starting the other side tom.

 

[bbodammer]

Oh yeah "JEastbourne" keep tuned and I'll fill you in on all of the details

 

[MNester]

ball joints on a 02

Hey guys,I put ball joints in my 02 2500 and it was a pain, i took the nuts off the joints and let the spindle drop down and cut the threads off with a torch and pressed the hub out worked very well then pressed the joints out. be sure to clean the hub up and use some anti-seize, replaced mine at 44,000