What do I need to know for changing ball joints?

[RSchwarzli]

Its getting time to do my front ball joints on the 1990. Last time I got an alignment they said they were . 5 deg out. As I want to do my front U joints, may as well do it all at once. Mighjt not get to it for awhile but at least I have the info!



So what is involved? What parts/ tools will I need? Something that I can do at home?



Thanks!



Robert

 

[ZedMikey]

The '90 4x4 in your sig? Technically, it doesn't have balljoints. Our front D60s have kingpins.

As for parts. You can get a kit from Parts Mike that has all the parts you'll need. PMD60KK DANA 60 king pin rebuild kit complete both knuckles. Billavista has an exploded view and parts list on his D60 bible. Pirate4x4. Com - Extreme Four Wheel Drive. He also has a kingpin rebuild guide. Pirate4x4. Com - Extreme Four Wheel Drive.

The only odd tool you'll need is a gigantic 7/8" hex key for the kingpin itself. The torque spec I've read for the kingpins is 550 ft-lbs! Have fun with that one!

 

[ZedMikey]

Oh, and it is certainly doable at home. With the exception of the kingpin itself, it is a breeze.

 

[RSchwarzli]

First, that is great! Thanks for the info and links!



On the torque spec, thats not possible! My truck STOCK did not make that much power! LOL IS that right?

 

[ZedMikey]

Billavista has this posted as the CUCV maintenance manual used by the military... http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/PR-Kingpin/60f Kingpin.pdf. It says 550 ft-lbs, alright... and the stories I've read about removing them seems to support that figure. Brutal.

 

[RSchwarzli]

You guys are not helping my enthusiasm for this job!

 

[RSchwarzli]

The '90 4x4 in your sig? Technically, it doesn't have balljoints. Our front D60s have kingpins.



As for parts. You can get a kit from Parts Mike that has all the parts you'll need. PMD60KK DANA 60 king pin rebuild kit complete both knuckles. Billavista has an exploded view and parts list on his D60 bible. Pirate4x4. Com - Extreme Four Wheel Drive. He also has a kingpin rebuild guide. Pirate4x4. Com - Extreme Four Wheel Drive.



The only odd tool you'll need is a gigantic 7/8" hex key for the kingpin itself. The torque spec I've read for the kingpins is 550 ft-lbs! Have fun with that one!

Ready to order my parts to do this ans started wondering. How good is the quality of these compared to oem?



Thanks. Don't want to do this again soon!

 

[ZedMikey]

I can't speak for those parts in particular, but I haven't had any trouble with other parts I've ordered from Parts Mike.

 

[Philip]

The quality is good. The first rebuild I did on my orginal front axle was with Dodge parts.



The rebuild on my replacement front axle was with the kit from partsmike.



I couldn't tell any difference betweens the parts. Go with the aftermarket parts. Its a lot cheaper than Dodge is. The upper king pin from Dodge will scare you on prices.

 

[RSchwarzli]

Ok. I have bearings, kingpin kit, and seals on order!

Will let you know how the 600 ft/lb bolt comes put!

 

[ZedMikey]

The quality is good. The first rebuild I did on my orginal front axle was with Dodge parts.

The rebuild on my replacement front axle was with the kit from partsmike.

I couldn't tell any difference betweens the parts. Go with the aftermarket parts. Its a lot cheaper than Dodge is. The upper king pin from Dodge will scare you on prices.

You want scary Dodge prices... check the price on the cone-shaped washers that were used on the late '70s Dana 70 axleshafts in Dodge trucks. I got all 16 from Drive Train Industries for less than the price of 1 from a Dodge dealership. Nutty...

 

[ZedMikey]

Ok. I have bearings, kingpin kit, and seals on order!

Will let you know how the 600 ft/lb bolt comes put!

Perhaps a video of you swearing and straining as you pull on the wrench? Hehe.

The trick most people seem to like is a long cheater pipe. A 4-foot pipe turns 600ft-lbs into a manageable 150lb force, after all.

 

[RSchwarzli]

Lol. Was kinda already thinking a video may be funny.

so in theory, with a 10 foot cheater, I can do it without dropping my beer?

 

[ZedMikey]

Get a 20-foot cheater, and the weight of the bar will make 550ft-lbs for you!