just got allnew ball joints for the front end, was wondering if any of yall have any suggestions as to make it somewhat easier for me. never changed ball joiunts on a dodge 4wd before. do i need a cutting torch to heat things up, or can i just bang everything out. i would like to to it in my drive way. does anyone have any directions to any websites that would give dirrections, or suggestions? i use this thing in the mud, for play, and on base. trucks only got about 96000 on the ticker, but they are showing wear, and i heard that when they start to go out, theyll make your tires start to cup. any help appreciated.
jimmy

 

Do a search. There have been a few threads on this subject lately.

 

Tell ya what, I bought my truck from a dealer with 88K on the clock and a 3 month warranty. Ball joints went bad the first month. brought it back to the dealer and they farmed it out to a front end shop near by. Well thats were the fun started. It took 3 days, extreme heat and mighty force to get those babies out! well after it was done, I drove 50 miles to my home and after driving into my garage the truck seemed to be draging as if the brake was on. I jacked up the front wheels to find my shiny new ball joints but both wheels almost fell off. It seems the extreme heat melted all the grease out of the hub bearings and they fried on the trip home! Servral trips to the dealer including one on a flat bed they replaced the hub assemblys. The point I'm trying to make is it seems that with 88k miles and lots of rust and salt etc. these original factory ball joints can be a pain to get out! I would think real hard about doing it my self unless you have a lot of time and patience. Just thought I would let you have my 2 cents. anyway good luck!

 

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=124846

could help.

After pulling the hub assy and removing the steering knuckle I usually just take a nice little hammer (25 pounds at least) and some good support that let's the old balljoint slip out. And with the steering knuckle all alone you can use heat without risking the wheel bearings.

HTH

AlpineRAM

 

thanks alpine ram. my wife leaves in the first week in jan and will be gone for 6 months. truck will hold out till jan at least, and ill have her jeep here to drive to work, so i will be able to take my time. thanks for the info,
jimmy

 

If you have some time for the operation I'd suggest that you look at the front axle seals too. (This means that you have to remove the differential too)
Maybe you can use the opportunity to go over the rest of the steering, check tie rod ends etc and maybe install a DSS. While you are at it check your front brake calipers for bindup.
Well, that are just some hints if you ain't too occupied with the wife gone for some time... (and I mean household duties before anybody thinks that I meant something else )

AlpineRAM

 

ya, i got a ton of chores to do on the house, while also scheduling time to put a 8" lift on her jeep, 38 or 39 boggers, lower gears in the axles, lockers, etc, etc, etc.

 

Southern,

Just changed mine out. I found the worst part to be seperating the knuckle from the axle....maybe just a bit timid with the "persuader".

I found a standard well equipped ball joint press (big c-clamp type) to be just the ticket.

Old and new went real slick, no need to beat/warm them.

Have fun

 

thanks tazman, i will pick one up before i get started, got to change the wifes on her jeep too. when you go mudding every week, they tend to start to wear out, even when she keeps 'em greased.
jimmy

 

Search under my user name and you will find my ball joint story. I managed to do it on a 2001 4x4 with a crappy HF press. If you are doing it correctly, you don't need a torch. One of the vendors on here sells the correct ball joint press for about $300, and it would be worth every penny if I have to do it again.

 

I ended up building some make shift pics to press the joints out.. basicall yt two modified plates.. and a machined tube to press them out.. It wasn't pretty.. and It took me a few hrs on the first side while making and modifing the pieces.... the second went faster..
Looking at an old manual.. the earlier trucks you could take the spindle out with the ball joints on the spindle... but the later ones they are on the axle... I never looked under the truck before I started.. Just thought I was going to throw them in the press...
Bryan