getblown5.9

how hard are they to change? if things keep going this way ill have a brand new truck before long.

found out i need upper and lower ball joints, and axle u-joints, and i have a feeling a brake system overhaul will be needed when i tear into the other stuff

Smooshy

I just did mine... Definately something someone with moderate skills can do, but I thought it was a PITA.

P.O.R.

give your self plenty of time,the wheel bearing assembly can be a pain to get out,do a search on those for tips,the ball joints can also be a pain to get out,if you have access to a hyd. press it would be great.use patients and time and you will be all rite.

getblown5.9

well i just found out its $80 a piece for the 4 ball joints...this sucks, i hate when stuff goes wrong while you are trying to save for bombs, but thats part of owning a truck

serge

I just did mine a 2000 km's ago. I bought TRW's, top one's pressed in nice, the friggin bottom ones just fell out of socket , had to postpone my trip back home while I searched for more compatible parts. Ended up going with over sized Moog's, and they pressed in just fine.

While we had the front end opened up I changed the struts. One of my coils was cracked so I had to change them both.

If ever you do coils yourself be very friggin' careful, these are lethal weapons.

Found my receipts,
upper BJ (sounds funnny ) $63.74
Lower BJ $111.24 (TRW where $30.00 cheaper but no FRIGGIN' GOOD)

Bonne Chance

Scubasteve

I did my 2001 which will be the same as your 2002 minus the CAD unit on mine.

THe ball joints were still not bad after 250k miles but i had an axle seal leaking so I replaced them while I was in there. I pretty much destryed the wheel bearings but they were original so I replaced them as well.


The lower ball joints were very pricey, 150 bucks a piece which I thought was a bit much. I asked the guy what the retail was just for giggles and he said somehwhere around 240. lol The uppers were 80 bucks a piece.


so when all was said and done it was close to 2000 bucks with brakes, rotors, calipers etc.



Good for another 250k miles lol



Jason

pete97

I just did mine. Axle seal was leaking and the U-Joints were bad. So I tore into it. The rotors were shot and the brakes were bad. The driver's side caliper was stuck and would return. I couldn't get the hub asssembly apart. I ended up taking the whole steering knuckle off on both sides. I had 4 new ball joints pressed in, 2 new U-Joints, 2 new rotors, 2 new calipers and new brakes. The shop I took the parts to charged me $75 dollars to remove and press in 4 ball joints and 2 U-Joints. They also got the hub assembly apart and installed the bearing an studs on the new rotors. I had $470 in new parts and $75 in labor. The hardest thing about the job was the passenger side axle seal. I ruined 2 of them trying to put it in. The other stuff was easy and I saved alot of money.

getblown5.9

yea its gonne be some time before i can change all this stuff...just dont have the cash right now. the axle joints will get done, but ball joints will be another month or two

vssman

I think the 02 set up is different from my 96. I believe yours a pressed into the axle tube which is different from the older 2nd gens which were pressed into the knuckle. You need to get a good ball joint press specifically for your application to make your life a bit easier. Generic kits may not have a big enough adapter to fit the Dana 60. Because mine was mounted in the knuckle, I took the whole assy to the auto machine shop and had them press out/in the new ones for a little over $15.00 each. Same thing can be said for the axle joint. Some times it's easier to take the assy to someone and have them press it out for you if you don't have the right tools on hand. I found good prices at www.rockauto.com

Scubasteve

vssman is correct. the late 01 and 02 model years have the ball joints mounted on the axle itself and can be a treat to get off without the right kit. Luckily i had enough parts in my kit to get the job done.

Aftermarket wheel bearings are not avaliable for that model anywhere I went so it was to the dealer for those at 330 a pop..

The proper kit with the right adapters is important to doing it right without ruining anything.



Jason