Replacing lower ball joints

[AndersonDin]

I am in the process of replacing my lower ball joints. Does anyone have advice on how to do it. Is there a way to take them out with out without the joint puller? I have one but I really don’t want to take off the rest of the assembly if there is a easier way.

 

[OwnerCS]

Have you released the c-clip that holds the BJ in place? I see people using a set of c-clamp vice grips like the ones that welders use to hold one side of the c-clip while using a punch to tap off the other. There is a thread on here about that here.

Ball joint & ABS unit replacement plus stuff.. on 98LC W/151K

So cold weather is giving me some catch up time away from the garage. So I thought I post up some work I've done on a 98 LC w/151K. I'll start thread with last job done this Sunday, lower ball joint replacements. A fellow member sold his rig to other mudder' out from of state. Seller disclosed...

forum.ih8mud.com

I have a truck that has always lived in the ArkLaTex region without rust. I got lucky was able to use a 2lb hammer and just popped out the old BJ. Tap tap and it was out. Since you are in OKC, you might have a similar experience.

When I put the ball joints back in, I plan to use the big heavy duty ball joint press kit that I borrowed from Advance Auto.

I didn't buy these c-clamp pliers until recently. I will try them this weekend.

To remove the old c-clips, I used two punches at one time without having the c-clamp above.

Tap tap and it was out. Put a jack under the LCA to keep it from bouncing if you like.

It looks to me like the old boot and grease failed to protect the ball joint.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

 

[2020 Rocks]

I am in the process of replacing my lower ball joints. Does anyone have advice on how to do it. Is there a way to take them out with out without the joint puller? I have one but I really don’t want to take off the rest of the assembly if there is a easier way.

You can hammer it out once the c-clip has been removed, not a problem. There is no way in hell you can get the new one in with out a press, shop press or c-clamp w/ cups type of press. I bought a ball joint press at HF, I had to modify one of the cups for it to work by cutting it in half with an angle grinder.

 

[AndersonDin]

Okay thank you, I have been working through the night on this because I need it for work. When I got to taking off the knuckle from the upper control arm I ran into an issue. The crown nut is on pretty tight and spins the ball joint in the arm, any way to get it off?

 

[2020 Rocks]

Okay thank you, I have been working through the night on this because I need it for work. When I got to taking off the knuckle from the upper control arm I ran into an issue. The crown nut is on pretty tight and spins the ball joint in the arm, any way to get it off?

Been there done that, squish boot out of way and crank vice grips down hard on exposed shaft. If you have an impact gun use that. Be sure you removed cotter pin or what’s left of it.

 

[AndersonDin]

Been there done that, squish boot out of way and crank vice grips down hard on exposed shaft. If you have an impact gun use that. Be sure you removed cotter pin or what’s left of it.

Thanks so much.