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John S.
Dodge Dakota
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12/17/2002
23:17:53

Subject: Doing the ball joints- a few questions
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Hey everyone, im gonna hafta do the ball joints on my 2 wheel drive '97 Dakota.

Quick questions-

Do I need to remove the tie rod from the hub assembley when I remove the upper and lower ball joints?

Do I need to compress the spring or can I use a floor jack to hold the control arm up?

Do I need any special tools? This is a 2 wheel drive- so the lowers are simply riveted on correct? No need for a press?

Also does anyone recommend a good method of doing this task, I have a grinder and access to all the tools I need (i think/hope :))

Thanks for everyones help.

-John



Mark M.
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2002
16:11:16

RE: Doing the ball joints- a few questions
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John S,

I just changed the ball joints in my 98 4 wheel drive so some this might not apply. Upper ball joints were rivited to the upper control arm, replacments bolted back on, worked very well. Lower ball joints were pressed in, had to take lower control arms to a shop to have new ones pressed in, $40.00. A few words of advice get replacment ball joints from Moog. I think Carquest sells them. Also don't try to replace your lower control arm bushings unless you want to buy a whole new control arm. Dealer won't sell replacement lower bushings and there is no after market for them at all. I ended up buying another contol arm from the boneyard to replace two of the bushings I destroyed trying to get them out. Hope this helps, good luck!



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