I've read most of the threads here and at other forums on replacing the ball joints on my '01 2500. I also read through the manual a couple times to understand how to do it.

I looked under the truck this morning, and my ball joints are not pressed into the steering knuckles like the book shows, they are pressed into the spindles on the end of the axle tubes.

How do I change these? I was hoping to take the steering knuckles in to have the joints pressed out/in by a shop.

It looks like I'll have to do all the same work to get to them. Will a regular ball joint press be stout enough to do the job? I'm thinking the rental units look a little wimpy, especially after reading some posts about how hard it was to remove them out of the knuckles.

 

A regular ball joint press will work just fine.

Put the clamp over the ball joint, and wind some pressure into it, then just hit the boss with a hammer, ( not your wife ) a couple sharp raps and the ball joint will start to move, at which point, just keep winding the clamp tighter, while tapping the boss. I did this on mine, and for once, a set of ball joints came out properly

Good luck

 

It is possible with a regular ball joint press. Next time I do mine, it will be worth it to me to spend the $300 on the special ball joint press made for the job.

 

harbor freight ball joint press, and a little heat from the hot wrench. they come out easy.