does anyone have a step by step guide? what tools am I gonna need? are they pressed in? screwed in? just want to have my ducks in a row before I rip it apart. thanks

 

They are pressed in, the lower ones have a snap ring on them. A torch is handy tool they are a PITA to get out a lot of pounding. You need the right tool to press the new ones in basically a big c clamp with the right size collars to fit over them. Good luck it sucks check your wheel bearings and u joints on the front axles as long as its apart oh yeah and its expensive.

 

it all depends on what vehicle you're working on.....mine were riveted in

 

Quoted $150 for ball joint replacement at local brake check. I don't think they are bad but am going to jack it up to check.

 

johnh is right, 2wd trucks are riveted/bolted in, 4wd are pressed in with the lower having a snap ring. Both are not a fun job, but I'd say 4wd edges it out in the long run .

high bid, was that quote for one or all four ball joints? if just one (maybe two) that seems about right, but any more than that I would question the parts they are using.

stateline, there are a TON of good writeups floating around the 2nd gen forum on the subject. Within 10 minutes of searching I had quite a few different threads in front of me all of which were very helpful, I think there's even a how-to writeup on a couple of the 4x4 websites (linked in many of the threads on this forum). My only advice, be prepared to do battle! A baby sledge, BJ press, and possibly some heat will likely be needed...

 

1999 2wd are press in top and bottom,you need a ball joint press to repace them,hyd press for bottoms,some are too tight for screw type ball joint press

 

They were stating they were bad and need to be replaced w/adjustable ones. He pulled some out of the box and they almost looked like they were made of alum or some alloy but not near as strong as the factory ones. I'm guessing the price was for replacement of two top bushings since that's what he showed me but didn't state all 4. I've been taking my truck in for alignment there for about a year (lifetime alignment purch) just to make sure the tires wear evenly and all is ok. One wouldn't just replace the top bushings but all 4, correct? thanks.

 

You can replace just the top two but the bottom two are likely to go shortly after depending on the circumstances, for how much of a pain it is to do this job I would replace every single one I could whenever doing the job, JMO though. For that price I would be wary of the quality of the parts being used, moog seems to be a commonly coveted brand around the forums, and I've always used them for OEM replacement parts myself, so I would request those parts and see what happens to that quote . I was also quoted at a tire shop for all four balljoints (moog), and a trackbar, they wanted almost $1000 in parts/labor when it was all said and done, needless to say I did it on my own for significantly cheaper .

Olddodgetrucks- I didn't realize some 2wd were press in top and bottom, thanks for correcting me! I will say you don't necessarily need a hydrolic press to get them out though. I bent many a balljoint press simply trying to push them out with it (badly, I might add), the trick I ended up with was putting some tension on the ball joints with the press then giving the housing a few good smacks with a baby sledge, re tightening the press, then a few more good smacks. Worked like a charm .

 

Thanks for all the input. The only last questions I have is why in the heck are they recommending adjustable ball joints? They stated I needed these because of the lift. I don't believe it.

By jacking the truck up and trying to move the tire top/bottom...this is the correct way to check for worn ball joints right?