posted this in HELP also, trying to find a solution

its 630pm and i am trying to replace my lower ball joints. my goal was to get one side today and the other tomorrow. Now i have 3 broken 1/2" drive ratches and a breaker bar. i cannot get this lower ball joint pressed out. I am about to run to sears real quick and pick up some 3/4" tools. is there something i am missing.

Yes the retainer ring is out and i am pressing the joint out from the top to the bottom.

 

I used 1/2 inch and a 5 foot long pipe... they are a beast...

 

Once you have significant pressure on the press give it a good hit with a BFH.I hit it right on the curved part of the press in the direction the joint needs to move.This breaks it loose then it will move freely with normal pressure.You can also hit the axle right were the ball joint is pressed in. Good luck.

 

i got it out, now i broke 2 more rachets trying to get the new one pressed in. this is getting stupid.

 

clean the hole with emery cloth real well and use anti size when pressing it in

 

i cleaned it with 400 grit sandpaper. I thought about putting antiseize in there but didnt. One one ball joint is about 90% pressed in now. I am going to try the torch method.

*update*
I am going to drop the truck off at a local shop, i am 1/16" from getting one ball joint in and my press tool threads are stripped now. I am 5 rachets down total now.

 

you should not use heat to press in new ball joints thats a no no

 

What brand of ratchet are you using?

 

at this stage use a lot of wd-40 to see if that helps

 

I think you can safely use a propane hand torch to lightly expand the hole area on the control arm without any danger of damage. I did mine at 90K miles and they're fine. If you take off the control arm and use a hydraulic press it's easier and safer and cheaper too.

 

craftsman. the guy last night said that i scare him because i brought in 3 broken 1/2" drives. now when i get my truck back i will bring 2 more

cdennyb
I'm 2wd, so my uppers (A arms) are all one peice. those i didnt have a problem changing, its the lower ball joints

 

u want help here it is...BUY XRF ball joints. dont buy anything from moog(fed mogul). theres an old bag there

 

WHY? Judging by the type of mechanical assem., I am almost positive the factory heated the control arm to press them in.

 

these are XRF ball joints, but that has nothing to do with pressing the old ones out. And since the XRF joints have teeth on them, it makes them harder to press in.

 

i know they are craftsman ratchets,they break easy